In May 1898, when serious riots arising from high food prices broke out in Milan, the Italian government under Antonio di Rudinì declared a state of siege in the city. General Bava Beccaris, as extraordinary commissar of the city, ordered his soldiers to fire on demonstrators, who had erected several barricades during a strike. Artillery was also used. According to official figures 80 people were killed and 450 wounded. However, the opposition claimed 400 dead and more than 2,000 injured people while The New York Times reported 300 deaths and 1,000 wounded.[1]
In recognition of his action Bava Beccaris received the Great Cross of the Order of Savoy from King Umberto I in June 1898. He was shortly afterwards appointed to the Italian Senate.[2] During 1914, he warmly supported the interventionist party in Italy who wished to participate in World War I, (as they did on 25 May 1915). In 1922, he recommended that King Victor Emmanuel III grant power to Benito Mussolini and the National Fascist Party.
Bava Beccaris retired in 1902. He died in Rome in 1924.
