100 years ago in Spokane: Hunt on for Italian ‘anarchist society’

Federal agents were rounding up members of a radical “Italian anarchistic society” with ties to Spokane.

Agents were looking for six Italians, living in or near Spokane, who were members of the Coreola Studi Sociali.

“We have their names and have picked up clues to their whereabouts,” said an agent. “We expect to have them in custody soon.”

Agents had already rounded up 100 other members in other Northwest cities, including Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Walla Walla and Cle Elum.

This alleged radical society was suspected of “plotting internal troubles in Italy” at the instigation of Germany. There were also indications that the Coreola Studi Sociali was tied in with the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies), who were widely suspected (on sometimes questionable evidence) of aiding Germany.

“Officials plan to gather all of the prisoners together in one camp, where they will probably be interned for the duration of the war,” said the paper.

It is worth noting that Italy was one of the countries allied against Germany in the European war.