WITCHES' LEAGUE ON TRIAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12258, 8 June 1914, Page 1

WITCHES' LEAGUE ON TRIAL.

AMAZING STORIES OF "MIRACLES." Milan, April 18. Stories of whitchcraft such as the most highly imaginative modern author would, have hesitated to print are being related at the assize court at Sassari, Sardinia, during the trial of several women. There are now only six alleged witches in the dock, 25 of their original companions having been discharged during secret magisterial examination. Their plea was that they had acted under the powerful spell of the other six. The existence of a very influential "Witches' League" has been revealed by the evidence, some of the members professing mystic power for locatiim hidden treasure, working "miracles," and calling up the spirits of the dead. They have victimised several hundred dupes to the extent of thousands of pounds, and 80 of the victims have been persuaded to give evidence. One of them is a former prison governor, who, beLig threatened with dismissal, because of the escape of a ferocious Sardinian brigand, spent all liis privat? means with the witches. These, women undertook to have the brigand seized by demons in the mountain fastnpsses, translated through the air, and set down securely in his prison cell again. Returning emigrants from North and South America have been despoiled of their savings and deluded by cunningly devised apparitions of lost relations. Some families have been content to forfeit not only money and jewellery, but every bit of their household furniture for the benefit of the witches.

One of the prisoners, P,osa. Artn, a venerable matron of imposing appearance, known as the "Saint of Sassari," refused a. lawyer's aid, saying the saints Thomas and Augustine bad been sent, from Heaven to defend her.

In au .eloquent speech she claimed to possess supernatural powers which enabled her to heal scores of so-called incurables, even raving lunatics.