THE CAMORRA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 120, 13 July 1911, Page 5

THE CAMORRA.

REMARKABLE REVELATIONS. Romo, July 12. Remarkable revelations were made at the Camorra trials at Viterbo by Fabbroni, a young and distinguished officer, who is a Knight of the Crown of Italy. Fabbroni stated he had made inquiries as a captain of carabineers, and these showed that the corpses of Cuocolo and his wife were given the imprint of revenge in order to inspire fear. Erricone had invented a system, each branch of the Camorra having a figurehead, in addition to a real head. FabbronTs disclosures led to an inroar in Hie cage in which were t ie prisoners. Fabbroni continued 1-bat the chief a.iunction of the Camorrist decalogue was never to confess, even if it would help accused. Betrayers were punished by beatings, razor slashes, and even murder. Abbatemaggio, ho said, was already condemned to death, for it was impossible for him to escape if ho left the prison. The Camorra’s object was. to despoil everyone within their clutches, from a prostitute or sneak thief to the highest official. Erricone, the late leader of the Camorra, was subsidised by the Naples Illumination Company in order to prevent the theft of wires and other implements. Other Neapolitan companies sunihulv secured immunity. The system recalled the times when landed proprietors supported brigandage in order to secure their own safety.

TERRIFIC TUMULT IN COURT. Viterbo, July 2. Fabbroni instanced the prisoners’ influence over thieves, and recalled the case of a cabman who had overcharged Father Vitozzi, who said the cabman would regret, it. The same evening three Camorrists beat the cabman and compelled him to apologise and return the overcharge to Father Yitozzi. The society’s chief usher was Danna Coblcr, who drove the youths to "light” women, who accompanied them to gambling hells, the usher completing their ruin. Erricone had been tried for complicity in such cases.

Lawyer Bovio: Erricone was acquitted ! Fabbroni: Yes; but the president of the court was a brother of the lawyer who is now defending Erricone!

There was a terrific tumult in court at this. Erricone jumped about his cage howling like a hyena. Bovio protested that Neapolitan judges had been insulted by the observation.

Fabbroni replied: You forged documents in Paris in connection with Rapi’s defence! The carabineers with difficulty prevented a free fight between the lawyers and witnesses. Fabbroni traced the Camorra’s power since 1860, when Garibaldi handed over the maintenance of public order to municipalities on the plea that society was best acquainted with local rascaldom.