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Show H ITALIAN COURTS ARE SLOW. B "When Americans feel inclined to criticise our courts for their H r fclowness, thoy should stop for ti moment and contemplate the trial of H the Camorrists, which has been going on at Yiterbo, Italy, since H March 11 of this year. Four months of this farcical trial finds tho Hf T Italian court no nearer a decision than at its beginning, H jT It is not surprising that jurymen, should wish to avoid passing H 1 on such a case, not only by reason of perhaps a full year's imprison- H ment which it involves, but becauso of the power of the society, with H its limitless ramifications and the relentless persistence with which H V7 it pursues its intended victims. H . The testimony of Captain Fabroui of the Italian national police, H who under orders from the government has been for years investi- B ' Rating the society, discloses the existence of an organization covering H all southern Italy, whose sole object is plunder, without murder if Hl possible, with murder when necessary. Murder is the inevitable pen- H i "alty of treachery, and apparently of any effective opposition loathe 9 society. I1- Blackmail by the society seems universal. The society collects toll from all engaged in gainful occupations even from neggars who infest the cities of southern Italy and up to great public service and other corporations, which puy regular toll for the protection of their property. i , And the power of the society is shown by the fact that its pro- j teclion is effectual. If the toll is paid the property or the individual i ib safe, for the criminals are either all members of tho s,pqiety or fear its vengeance if its protection is not respected. H' i)" ' t 8 unnecessary to say that the existence of such a society is T the result of economic and social conditions, and that its cxistenci can end only by relieving the economic pressure. f The Italian government has doubtless long known all about the society. "With so extensive a membership it ia thoisimplcst of detective detec-tive work to find out about it. Making public the information is'a wholly different matter. f What the Italian government has undertaken in this trial is to obtain legal proof of the existence and nature of tho society -with the intent to crush it du't of existeii'cc' " " There is little probability tli'itjlt will succeed, .regardless of the result of this particular trial. When the entire fabric of society is rotten little good is accomplished' by the excision of a'small patch. The society, also, has a historical background in 'that it was instituted in-stituted many years ago. when the wretched Bourbon dynasty was fearfully misgoverning southern Italy and brigandage and patriotism patriot-ism were nlniost s3'nonymous. Without the habit of mind which grew up under those conditions it is improbable that-such a society could exist. It is equally improbable that it will cease to exist until better economic conditions offer better and more certain rewards to honest industry. c v |
