1915-06-29ka

When the Great War began in August, 1914, it was widely assumed that Italy would side with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian empire, but it did not.

Until the end of April, 1915, Italy took no part in the war. After some secret negotiations regarding the what Italy would receive if it joined with England, France and Russia, the decision was made that Italy would enter the war on their behalf.

In the city of Hamilton there was a very large population of citizens with Italian heritage. Many, if not most of that portion of the city’s population was made up of men, especially young men, who had only come to the city seeking employment. A large percentage of those young men had experience with the Italian armed forces, notably the militia. Those men in particular were liable to be called home by the Italian government to take up arms.

Many Italians in Hamilton rejoiced that their home country was in the war, and the desire to return to enter the army was widespread.

That there were Italians in Hamilton who felt very differently was shown in a case brought before the city’s police magistrate on June 29, 1915:

“Oramando Demora, who has been boarded at 194 Lottridge  street for the past week, but whose former home was in Detroit and other United States cities, is now under arrest on a nominal charge of vagrancy. He appeared in police court this morning and was remanded for one week.”¹

¹ “To Investigate Italian’s Conduct”

Hamilton Herald.   June 29, 1915.

Demora and three of his companions had been observed acting suspiciously:

“ (They) have been helping him (Demora) to distribute anti-war literature and assisting him in a house to house campaign among the Italians of this city in an effort to dissuade them from taking an active part in the war.

“Complaints reached the police last Sunday to the effect that four men went from house to house on North Sherman avenue, and, after talking against war to the Italians, left pamphlets.

“The pamphlets have been translated for the police and contain arguments why local Italians should not go to war and should do all in their power to ‘fight the government,’  adding that no part should be taken by Italians in ‘killing their fellow-beings, the Germans and the Austrians.’ It also, say the police, contains a message urging the masses to rise up against the ‘rich and wealthy’ of all countries.”¹

Upon learning the content of the pamphlets being distributed, the Hamilton Police quickly arrested Demora, and started combing the city’s northeast “foreign colony” searching for his three companions.

Besides the traitorous propaganda being promulgated against a country which had just become an ally in the war effort, the aspect of socialism and revolutionary threats to the established order were enough to have Demora detained and his case referred to the Dominion police.