WAR ON BANDITS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 30 March 1932, Page 2

WAR ON BANDITS

ATTRITION IN CORSICA

THE 1 ELUSIVE SPADA

The war against the Corsican bandits has become one of attrition. A hundred odd prisoners languish in Ajaccio - ;; gaol, but the elusive Spada, King of the Green Palace, as lie is called, because he reigns over the picturesque greenwood of the Maquis, and the halfdozen other highwaymen whom thcpolice are seeking are still at large. They may- be captured through treachery, though it is unlikely that any of their friends will give them away. They may have the ill-luck to fall accidentally into the hands of armed trackers. The last alternative is that the patience of the authorities, will starve them into submission. ,

Spada, who is the hero of a talking film now showing in Paris, in which he is depicted in a chivalrous role as a Robin Hood, is the one man talked of in Ajaccio. Much indignation is expressed there that such a film should be authorised.

It is his magnetic influence over women which has accounted for much of Spada’s glamour, for, although he is brutal and ruthless in warfare, 1; can be attractive and 'entertaining when he likes. Many are his amorous exploits, and numerous are the dinner parties the picturesque criminal has given to women friends he has invited to his realm in the Maquis. Documents found at the house of his mistress, formerly the unofficial wife of the bandit Romanetti, who is now dead, show that among his femi-. nine admirers was at least one Englishwoman.

The bloodthirsty nature of the man is, however, revealed by the crimes with which he is charged. A particularly brutal case was the holding up of a motor-coach and the murder cf two gendarmes. fire lone passenger was wounded, but the driver had been spared. Spada, thrusting his revolver into the driver’s hand, said: “Finish off this wounded man. He annoys me.” “Kill me if you like,” said the driver, “I will not do that.” “Then take these matches and set fire to the car,” ordered Spada.

With Spada’s revolver pointing at his back, the driver lifted the bonnet and set fire to the engine. So far as active operations are concerned, General Fournier’s men continue methodically td extend their zone of occupation.