The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-16
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHINGToS CITY, April IA, 1S91.i
The Marquis Imperial, Charge d Affaircs, etc.
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge receipt
OF your note dated Thursday. April 2. 1t con-
tains second telegram from Marquis Rudini,
part OF which herein quote: 1.-THE government
of the king of Italy has asked nothing beyond
the prompt institution of judicial proceedings
through the regular channels. 1t would
have been absurd to claim the pun
ishmcnt of guilty parties without warrant
OF regular judgment. The Italian government
now repeats the same demand. Not until the
federal goveznment shall have explicitly de-
clared that the aforesaid psoceedfngs shall be
promptly begun can the diplomatic Incident be
considered as closed"
This government certainly had No desire what
ever to change the meaning of the Marquis
Rudini's telegram Of March q II was deIiv-
cred at the state Department by Baron Fsvs In
pefson, written in his own hand, and expressed
In the English language. Following is the full
telegram:
"RoxE, March 24-7o the Itoliea Mfaistey,
Washington City: Our requests to the federal
government are very simple. Some Italian sub
jects, acquitted by American magistrates, have
beeh murdered In ,pfison while nader the Inn
mediate protection of the authorities. Our
right therefore, tc demand and obtain punjshmes Of
the murdercrs and Indemnity for the vtctfms Is an
in Italy is justly impatient, and If concrete pro-
visions were not at once taken could find my
self in the painful necessity of showing openly
our dissatisfaction by recalling the minister of
his majesty from o country where he 10 unable
to obtain justice. RuDrNI."
The words underscored are precisely those
which quoted in my former note, and am
directed by the president to express the salts
faction of this government with the material
ali Eoats 80 3 eNa l., 49, AZ
quis Rudini on behalf of the Italisn govern
ment
You quote in your note 0nother part of the
Marquis Rudini's telegram 6f April 2, in these
words: meanwhile his majesty's government
takes note OF the declaration whereby the fed
eral government recognizes that indemnity ID
due to the families of the victims in virtue OF
the treaty in force between the countries" II
the Marquis Rudini viii carefully examine my
note OF April he will discover that did not
recognize that indemnity is due the families OF
the victims in virtue of the treaty in force be-
tween the two countries" What / did say
was in answer to Baron Fava's assertion
that the United States government refused to
take this demand for indemnity into considera-
tion Iquote my reply: 1.-THE United States, so
far from refusing, has distinctly recognized the
principle OF indemnity to those Italian subjects
who may have been wronged by q violation of
the United States concluded February 26, 1871. I"
The Marquis Rudini may be assured that the
United States would recompense every Italian
subject who might be wronged BY the violation
of treaty to which the faith of the United
States is pledged. But this assurance leaves un
settled the important question whether a treaty
las been violated. Upon this point the presi-
dent, with sufficient facts placed before him.
has taken full time for decision He now di-
vssrfS hat rtofv sfarat xs~
subject shall he submitted to the judgment of
the Italian government, as precedent of great
value to the case under discussion
The president recalls the conclusion main-
tanned by Webster as secretary of state in ISL
In August of that year mob in New
Orleans demolished the building in which
the Office OF the Spanish consul was
located, and at the same time attacks were
made upon conee-houses and cigar shops
kept by spanish subjects. American citizens
were involved in the excess, the losses from
which in the aggregate were large. The sup
posed cause of the mob was intelligence of the
execution Of fifty young Americans in Havana,
and the Punishment to Spanish mines of nearly
30 citizens of the United States The victims
were all members of the abortive Lo
peg expedition. In consequence of these
derretlations of the mob upon the prop
erty OF the Spanish consul, as well ma
Parca. minister of Spain, demanded indemuifi-
cation for ali losses, both official and personal.
Webster admitted that the Spanish consul was
entitled 10 indemnity. and assured the Spanish
minister that ii the injured Con sui Iaborde
"shall return to his post or any other consul for
New Orleans shall be appointed by her Catholic
government, the officers of this gov
resident in that city will be instructed
70 treat him with courtesy and with a national
salute 10 the flag OF his ship, If he shall arrive in
u spanish vessel, as demonstration of rcspecr
such as may signify to him aud to his govern
ment the sense entertained by the government
of the United States OF the gross in
Justice done to his predecessor by a
lawless mob. rs well as the indignity and
insult offered by ii to foreign state with which
the United States are and wish ever To remain
on terms Of most respectful and pacific inter
course" Bat when pressed by the Spanish min.
lister 10 afford indemnity TO Spanish subjects in
iurcd by the mob, In common with American
citizens, Webster declined 10 demand iastiee.
and gave reasons as follows: This government
supposes that the rights of the Spanish consul. a
public officer residing here under the protection
OF the United States. are quite different from
those ef Spanish subjects who have come into
the country TO mingle with our own citi-
zeus, and here to pursue their pri
yate business and objects. The former may
claim special indemnity, while the
latter sre entitled To such protection as ia
afforded 10 cur own citizens. While therefore,
the losses of individual private spanish sub
iectS are greatly tO be Regretted x.s IL L. ,,,,5