Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-04-04
The Italian Affair

As stated 10 the GAZETTE Secretary Blaine
yesterday morning received the reply OF the
Italian government to his note OF Wednes
day evening. 1t seems that this commune
cation, addressed and cent 70 Marquis In
periali as being 10 charge OF the legation
was cabled at oncs to Rome. Marquis
Rudini replied Thursday night BY cable, al
dressing his note to Marquis Imperiali, Win
instructions to hand 1t to Mr.. Blaine. ibis
was done yesterday morning, and the occt-
ment, which WAS in Italian, WAS sent at once
over to the Safe Department to be trans.
lated. The Secretary spent the morning at
his house, and waited there uoiilstne iet.es
had besn translated and copy of 1t hao
been sent, together with the original, pacR
TO him, Then, taking the documents, he
walk ed over to the White House, where the
cabinet bad been in session fer nearly an
hour. The dispatch from the Marquis Ru
DIM. the Italian premier, the substance OF
which has already been published in the GA
zgTTE. was laid before the cabinet by Secre-
tary Blaine and discussed for time. Later
the Secretary said that he would not be able
to give out anything for publication that
day. So the exact text of the Maiquis's
note remalns secret, and 1t is regarded as
probable that it will not be made public up-
ill the Secretary has prepared bis reply. 1t
ia said that the President and his advisers
are are very much gratifed over the receipt
OF the last message from Premier de Rudlni,
which was subject of consideration at the
cabinet meeting yesterday. They are Inclined
to think that 1t indicates On early settle
ment of the diplomatic war.
From wha has treuspired of the contents
of the note of the Marquis Rudini, the In
ference seems positive that he has m!scon.
celved the position Of this government on
the sui act of indemnity. This misconcep-
ton is undoubtedly due in large measure
to the very broad and uUguarded language
employed by the minister at Rome, Nj.
Porte. According to the Rome dispatches
Mr.. Porter seems, In the hope Of getting the
Italian ministry 10 good humor, to have
promised almost everything. 1t may take
several more notes from Mr.. Blaine before
! the Italian government can arrive at an sde'
quste understanding OF the position held By
the Secretary.
Current opinion In London s set'irg more
steadily. against the action of the Marquis di
Rudini in trying to force the hand OF Mr..
| aine In the matter of the lyuchiDg OF lia!-
ians in New Orleans.
| The Economist doubts whether the action
Of lfsly will impe the Washington sates-
men to alter their course or engage 10 the
intermineble task OF modifying their COM
p'ex constitution. 1t says: "The Marquis
di Rodini and his government are in a cul-
de sec They cannot sit sill, they cannot
fight, and they cannot obtain the redress they
want without fighting. Italy's allies will
never permit her to rick war that would
disturb European combinations. The Uaite d
States holds the exceptional position that IL
cannot be conquered by any power or Prob
able combination of powers, even II all En-
rope was allied and made the attempt. Bu'
the United States also cannot conquer any
great power. Yet IL the Uoited States coo'
tinues tc claim exempling from pressing in
ternatioual obligations, it's position will not
be supported without new international
Ia ar recourse to war to obtain modiflca-
tious." In the London clubs there is ~
NOR that Premier iii Rujini will ask Lord
Salisbury to act as mediator.