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.

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.

In 1922, he recommended that King Victor Emmanuel III grant power to Benito Mussolini and the National Fascist Party.