Distress of Nations

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1911

Distress of Nations

The governments of earth have foes without and within with which to contend. Some of the secret guilds of society which these last days have brought forth in the various nations of the earth, have done much to undermine social order and bring to their governments deep perplexity if not dire calamity. One of these secret societies, the Camorrists, has recently given much concern to the Italian government, which is now engaged in a desperate effort to bring the order to justice. At the present time in the little town of Viterbo, near Rome, there is being conducted a trial of thirty-five members of this order, charged with murder and other serious crimes. A large iron cage has been constructed, in which the prisoners have been confined to prevent their rescue by the people. There are more than three hundred witnesses for the prosecution and as many for the defense. Great difficulty was experienced in obtaining a jury, for fear of the vengeance of the Camorra, or Black Hand. Large sums have been raised for the defense, showing that this order is protected in high political and social circles.