VENDETTA!
"IX MAFIA" THREATENED. MUSSOLINI'S STRONG HAND. (Received 11 a.m.) ROME, January 28. Signnr Mussolini has ordered the eradication of .Sicily's "Black Hand," a secret society of thieves named ''The Mafia," which ia overrunning the island and enforcing: its own laws. The society is responsible for revolting crimes,— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) Tlie Mafia is a secret society of criminals of the most atrocious description—robbers, cut-throats, decadents. The code of the Mafia is protection of its members by never "splitting" and by avenging with incredible ferocity any interference with its nefarious work. The member of the Mafia who "splits" is himself murdered. One was beaten to death with a sockful of small nails. The murder? committed by the Mafia are usually performed with the stiletto, the victims being stabbed in the back. It is the sinister habit of these ferocious people to warn their intended victim by sending a note having the black hand sign on it. Sometimes the bodies of the victims are marked with the sign. There are branches of the Mafia in the United State?, but the habit of the American policeman of shooting on sight has deterred the activities of the society somewhat.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1926, Page 7
Word Count
197VENDETTA! Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1926, Page 7
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