The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-04-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
EWAsHINGToN. D. [

WASHINGTON, D. C., April. g. 1891.
That was no April fool' sensation which struck
this town this week when Baron Fava. the italian
minister, who seems to have studied the great
American game of draw poker to some purpose
during his ten years residence in Washington.
walked into Mr.. Blaine's private Office and made
the bluff of his life by presenting letter from the
Italian government. recalling him as Envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the
United States. by way of emphasizing its dissat-
isfaction at the failure of this Government to
make reparation for the recent lynching of Ital
ians at New Orleans. but real genuine all wool
and-a yard-wide warranted not to shrink while
being -cabled-around- -the-world sensation. 1t
has shaken the administration from stem to
stern. and from Baby" Mckee to Jim" Blaine
and will probably cause slump in the price of
Macaroni in the New Orleans market.
am afraid that some one will accuse me of
levity in writing thus, but I can no more take
this absurd italian blunder seriously than can
the announced retirement of John Sherman
from politics. IF this act of the italian govern
ment be seriously taken and followed to its log
ical conclusion, it can moan but one thing-war,
Had the same thing been done by that govern
ment at the court of any first class European
power it would undoubtedly ere this have result
ed in declaration of war. But in this case there
will be no war. We can't fight Italy because we
haven't the ships and Italy can't fight US because
although she has the ships. she hasn't the money.
What will we do to resent this insult? Nothing.
Our minister to Italy will remain at his post, un-
less the Maia. which King Humbert evidently
fears more than the citizens of New Orleans did
shall compel the government of Italy to send
him his passports. in which case he will return
home. and Italy will not be represented at the
Worlds Fair.
An official statement of the affair has been
made public. which makes it plain that the ad
ministration is in way responsible for the slap
in the face it has received from the nation of
gan grinders and bogus counts. and which takes
as dignifed stand as is possible, considering that
the absence of navy powerful enough to cope
with that of Italy stands in the way of our trying
to assume too aggressive an attitude.
The following remarks made by Representative
McCreary. of Kentucky. who was chairman OF
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in the
Fiftieth Congress, and who will probably occupy
the same position in the fifty second. represents
the general sentiment in regard to the occurrence
The italian government has acted hastily and
without the dignity which ought and usually
does mark diplomatic negotiations. In the first
instance Italy had a grievance, or believed she
had, in the killing of three of her subjects in a
riot. The United States promptly responded to
her demands by instituting an inquiry into the
matter. in perfect good faith. While the investi-
cation is being made. before the United States
has had time to take any action further than to
institute the inquiry, the Italian government
suddenly recalls her minister and breaks off dip
lomatic relations with the United States. This
turns the tables. The United States is now the
party having grievance"
The popular song. "They'rs af,er me" is par
ticularly applicable to the man who disburses
S135. 100000 year in the payment of pensions
The they" in the present case are several hun
dred department clerks who have invested some
thing like $4,000 in suburban real estate scheme
of which Commissioner Raum was at the head
that is apparently as great fraud as was the
Refrigerator company so cleverly unearthed by
Representative Cooper last year. This - snide'
enterprise and Commissioner Raum's connection
Herewith has been brought to Mr.. Harrison:
attention. and once more there is rumor that
Raum's resignation will be asked for.
Ex-Secretary Whitney and ex private Secreta
ry Dan Lamont were welcome visitors to Wash
ington this week. They are now associated in
business.
1t is expected that Mr.. Harrison and as many
of his cabinet to go will start that much
talked of trip to the Pacific coast on the 18th o.
this month. 1t has been decided to make it 9
stag party.
The Kincaid murder trial is drawing to a close
1t looks like acquttal.
Senator Faulkner's wife died at his residence
here last Tuesday evening. She was very popu
| lar.
Secretary Foster has offended the knights O.
| Labor by refusing to make an investigation o.
| certain charges they preferred against the chic
of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They
| threaten to bring the matter before the House
| when Congress meets.