Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-16
COUNT D'ARCO's STRONG LANGUAGE
He by Implication Finds Great Fault With
Our Constitution.

He by Implication Finds Great Fault With
Our Constitution.
From the New York Herald today
The Italian papers which reached New York
yesterday contain, among many interesting
comments of the press upon the departure Of
Baron Fava from Washington, an official YER
sion of the interview which took place at the
Italian foreign Office between United States
Minister Porter and Count d'Arco, who during
the absence of the Marquis di Rudini in Flor
ence was in charge Of the foreign office. As
this interesting account of a notable interview
appears verbatim in all the Italian journals in
touch with the foreign Office it is to be re-
garded as an official communication of the con-
sulta-
The interview lasted two hours, runs the Off
cial Italian version, and was most interesting.
Never were two men more opposite in their
personal characteristics pitted against one an
other. The Count d Arco is a tall, elegant man
OF the world, but clear reasoner and as calm
and collected ''northerner." Minister
Porter considers himself as the most green
and inexperienced member Of the diplomatic
corps in Rome He is vivacious, passionate
and quick ''southerner."
THE CONVERSATION WAS CORDIAL.
The interview, however, was carried on in a
cordial manner and well within the lines OF
courtesy. Minister Porter only speaks English,
and as Count dArco speaks it in the most per-
feet manner the conversation was carried on
entirely in English. Minister Porter defended
at length the conduct of the United States fed
eral government and sought to secure delay.
Finally Count ArcO turned and put to the
American minister the following question in
pressing terms:
suppose" said he, "that a dozen Americans
we're accused of treason and assassinated in
Or,,a tall elf hat onvarp-
ment should claim that it was unable to pro-
coed against the guilty parties, not having the
power TO interfere with the local judicial au-
thorities in the discharge Of the duties which
are incumbent upon them. What would you
do! What would the federal government Of the
United States do?'
At this demand Minister Porter "shook him
self vivaciously, and let it be clearly seen that
in such case he would be prepared ito over
throw half the world"
what would the civilized world-what
would the Emitted States Of America think Of
such action, or, rather, Of such inaction?'
SOUGHT TO EXPLAIN THE CONSTITUTION
Minister Porter was evidently greatly en-
barrassed and sought to explain how the Con-
stitution of the United States differed essen
tally from the italian confederation, and how
it was simply impossible for the federal govern
ment to interfere in the local affairs Of Louis
lana
But Count q Arco replled quickly: I'VE have
nothing to do with your shortcomings or its
merits. If it is badly hung together it is for
the citizens of America to correct it: not u.s.
We do not know constitution worthy of a civ
iized people which does not secure full and
just application of the penal code, which is the
first basis OF h civilized society"
Minister Porter asked for time and declared
that he would make again vigorous representa-
tons 10 the federal government. He demanded
that Italy should delay any further steps in the
matter until a definite reply to her representa-
tions and to her demands had been made by the
federal government.
And So the conversation terminated.