The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-01

md Italy must take place directly between
Washington City and Rome.
Late this afternoon erroneous reports
were m circulation respecting alleged ont
nees on American citizens IN Italy. Care
fui inquiry at the department Of state fails
70 disclose more than two complaints Of
TINS character during the past six months
in one case an American In the habit of
crossing the Piedmont boundary line was
suspected Of smuggling, and when he re-
FUSED TO allow the Italian customs officers
! 20 search his carriage for confraband arts-
cies he vas arrested and made bitter COM
piafnt- In the other case an Italian re-
turning from the United States was ar
rested for alleged brizandage in 1886 1t
appeared upon consulting the records that
ne had been included In an amnesty proc
hmatson, so he was released Just as our
state department. discovered that be had
been frauduiently naturalixed in this coun-
try.
1t can be stated positively that unless
events take an unforeseen and improbable
turn. there win be no call issued for An
extra session Of congress. and one of the
most serious III effects of the incident win
be the probable postponeEient for an in
southern and Western trip.
The view taken by the administration.
- It is understood. Is that this govern
menf has done all that could be done in
the matter. Even If it had complete legal
jurisdiction in the case, it could only
assure. the Italian government that if
would prosecute persons guilty Of the at
tack Ola the Italians at New Orleans. 1t
could not assure the Italian govern
ment that it would punish
them ss Italy desired. That
would be for the grand and petit juries to
determine. The Italian government has
been told that the president depiores the
abhorrnt occurrence and that the govern
ment has taken steps to investigate the
matter. Part of this Investigation was the
ascertainment of the nationality Of the
Italians killed. and this has not been
learned There is no proof whatever be-
fore the president or secretary of state that
single Italian cisizen vas among the
victims, and such proof Is an absolutely
necessary preliminary 10 fair demand
for reparation- The officers of the depart
nent of justice are still inquiring into this
and other branches of the case
1t Is suspected in administration circles
that the recent changes in the Italian cab
met may have much to do with the present
state Of affairs. Marquis Rudini is sup
posed to be open 20 the inauence of popular
clanor and TO desire to achieve repufa-
tion viii, the masses by catering to the
demand Of the hot-headed element of
Italy. At any rate, it is felt that the
present state of affairs IS temporary, and
there Is no disposition or intention to take
any hasty action on the part Of this gov
ernment- Certainly Mr.. Porter, United
States minister TO Italy, viii not be re-
called, and this government will maintain
. pacinc attitude and abide by the develop
ment of the future.
1t is said by gentleman who has had
large experience in the diplomatic affairs
Of our government that = declaration of
war did not necessarily follow such action
- that Of The Italian government. There
were many precedents for il, nearly all of
which, however, were among European
nAti0nA Through better understanding
Of the differences that may exist or
through the friendly intercession of
third power. these difficulties are often adj
justed without recourse to arms. So
far = i recalled there. have only been
two iuafnnces whepo fmeign ministers
% GAGHn3ox HounH hnHo heen RECALLED at
the request Of our government Or have
given their passports. The first was the
French minister. Citizen Jeunet, who was
recalled by the French government at the
request of the United States, because he
was personally offensive TO this country.
The other case occurred At the time of the
war Of lsi2 with Great Britain. when the
minister from that country was given his
passports. There are no cases recalled
where ministers of the United States TO .
foreign country have been given passports,
though there may have been one or more
instances OF this kind.
The prospect of war over the incident is
ridiculed by this gentleman, as is also the
prospect Of an extra session of congress
growing out of the same incident. He
suggested that misunderstanding may
be possible as to the real nature of the
letter of Governor Nichols TO the Secretary
Blaine with respect to the killing. 1t is
assumed that Baron Fava sent the letter
TO his government, and possibly that the
government may have interpreted il as the
sentiment of the federal government in
the case. Nations. he pointed out. do not
go to war in these times over small affairs.
Representative Payson. of Illinois, speak
ing about the matter said:
There is no danger Of war. There is too
much good sense IN this country and i; Is 10 be
presumed there also Is il ltaly, 70 go 20 war
about this difficulty.
Representative Cogswell. of Maxsachu-
sets, regarded the situation as one Of
gravity, owing to the depiorahle lack Of a
navy suitable for the defense of the
country.
Officers of the navy said, Il told you so,
when asked how they viewed the matter.
For years past, in the face OF opposition
and derision from members OF congress
representing constituencies located in the
interior OF the country, and in a position
safe from outside attack, they had persist
entity pointed out the need tor navy that
would be Of use for the defense of the coun-
try. Their colleagues in the navy had
begged for coast defenses, and yet. here
we are with international affairs
on our hands and but mere skeleton of a
navy and maps OF projected coast oefences
at our back To the wouid-be economists
who have opposed their views these Off
GERS point TO the French spoiiation claims,
aggregsting millions of dollars, which We
are beginning 10 settle. and which found
their birth In an incident somewhat ike
this. In that case the United States gov
ernment disregardei treaty stipulations,
and the French government recalled its
minister. and without . declaration Of war
on either side for two years. the French
nen-of-war preyed upon American COM
merce.