Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-17

Among Secretary Raines callers today was a
white-bearded, pleasant-faced man past middle
age, who about six months ago occupied pub
he attention prebabiy a. completely as any
other American. This was Hon. Albert G.. Por-
ter, ex-governor Of Indiana and at present the
minister Of the United States to Italy.
who had charge Of our end Of the
diplomatic controversy over the New Orleans
episode in Rome. He is on a leave Of absence
from his post of two months. the first that he
has had since his appointment, and he arrived
in this country but 8 few days ago. He leaves
for his nome in Indiana tonight
He chatted pleasantly for half an hour or
over with STAR reporter this morning, going
over a great deal Of conversational ground. but
giving little or no news. He SAID that he
wanted it to be definitely understood that there
Sas absolutely no significance in his presence
here 1t this time.
HE WANTS A REST.
Il have been away from home a long TINT"
be said, land 1 want a rest. l have been
granted a leave and propose to enjoy it 1
am going 20 see Secretary Blaine, but this is
merely visit of courtesy.
NO, there is nothing alarming in our diplo-
matte relations with Italy. The furry over the
New Orleans trouble seems to have subsidized.
Indeed there was never much agitation over
cited as we do here. They take things
much more calmly and placidly and
I do not believe that they make
as much noise. This is contrary to the general
belief. j know. but il nevertheless true.
They are hot blooded. to be sure, and they will
hight at the least provocation. but they don
get excited about II. Now all during that very
unpleasant controversy there was never the
slightest affront to me or any OF my
household or staff. went abroad at all hours
unattended and encountered nothing but the
most polite courtesy. They very polite
people. the Italians and this is true of all
classes. They seem to make that an aim of life
and am sure that i shall never run across a
pleasanter population to live among.
PLEASANT RELATIONS IN ROME.
My relations with the government at Rome
are peculiarly pleasant and they continued to
be so even when our papers here were printing
the most warlike news and comment. The
Marquis de Rudini''-Gov- Porter pronounced
The name In the Italian fashion, with the
cent on the first syllable-'is one of the most
courteous men ever met. retiring and modest,
almost difhdent IN his manner, yet strikingiy
handsome man.
There is tine greatest difference imaginable be-
tween the personalities OF the two prime minis
tiers. CrispI and Rudini The former Is a giant
IN intellect. man of intense force and strength.
Whose very presence inspires one with awe, his
face stern and full OF purpose. and yet with
t.cr spdEhIc BOOu anu GEM
siity. The Marquis de Rudini though a man
Of great ability and character, is mild and
bashrui.
CRIsPI AND RUDINI CONTRAsTED.
There can be no greater contrast presented
than IN the way in which these two men receive
their diplomatic visitors. Crispi sits at desk
with his eyes on his papers, his head bowed,
and apparently oblivious of all else than the
documents before him. The door Is opened by
an attendant and minister is admitted. He
walks across the room and even to the edge of
the premiers desk before he Is noticed. Then
rs soon as he has come within
reach, the premier rises quickly and grasps his
callers hand The interview is pleasant and
the minister feels that he has been fairly heard.
The premier lets him say all that he has to tell
but with art that allows no time to be
wasted When the interview Is over the premier
says good morning rather abruptly shakes
hands and thenceforth the guest is forgotten
apparently The statesman head Is once more
buried In his papers and he Is scratching away
rapidly with a pen, making a note of the min
listers words. He utiliZes every second and
before a new caller is ushered in the mission of
the former one has been formulated, given to
clerk and started of on its rounds.
THE PRESENT PREMIER.
'The present premier. however, meets his
caller at the door, shakes hands there and es-
corts him to q chair. He is confusingiy modest
and shrinks from giving any offense. When
the chat Is over he accompanies the minister
back to the door and shakes hands again.
The king Is very much like Rudini in his
manners. simple unaffected and courteous a
man of men and a splendid fellow, too. He
10 fairly idoiized by the people, and
his popularity is richly deserved He
drives abroad frequently and bows to
all who bow to him, taking of his
hat necessarily and smiling right and lett The
queen, too, has a graceful way of acknowledge
ing statutes with a sweet smile that renders her
very beautiful. Their little SOD. the pri ace, is
miniature of the father. and he is diligently
training himself in the methods of the ksag.
REPUBLIcASIsM IN ITALY.
Italy. like all European nations, has her
squad OF republicans, who make great deal of
noise and keepup a constant agitation, drawing
most Of their strength from the working classes.
But they do not aim at the foundation of a re-
pubiic-the kingdom is too popular for that
They strive for broader principles of admins
trGtlon, wider methods of represe NATION and "A
more liberal form of government generally.
but they are among the king firrnest friends
YES. OF course the international strain in
northern Europe has an effect upon Italy, but
she does not want any war. She Is essentially
peaceful and she wants peace to continue
AS an index Of that pIacidity of character
have mentioned let me mention an incident
that came TO my notice.
STORY OF An EARTHQUAKE.
'.We were in Verona on short visit and we're
to leave at o'clock in the morning Ala.
when We were in our beds, an earthquake oc-
Cured felt the movement distinctly 1t was
not what had expected of ap earthquake in
the least i had always imagined that II pro-
daeed an up-and-down or an unduiating
motion, whereas this was a sharp ierky
movement lateraIly, from side to side. 1t
vas so violent AS almost to throw ice fror. bed
In few moments one of the consuis who was
t-ayeiinS with nue.. reached the room and adj
vised me to 30 with the rest of the party to the
public square. where the population of the
city was assembling, for the return
shoek would probably be more severe
than the FIRST one. SO We went
down INTO the piazza, which was
densely crowded with people Of all
Classes There was not the slightest sign Of ex-
citement Every one was ca I'm and awaited de-
<eiopments with degree of imperturbabil,ty
that was rnlazing. The return shock did not
COME, Tor some reason or other, and by tine
time We left Verona every thing was running
along as usual and there was no sign OF an
earthquake beyond few fallen ehimneys. The
same disturbance destroyed several villages
Just outside Oi the city"