St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-04-01

None of the officials cared tOsbe quoted
IN their opinions. PrecedentS were to
be looked up before they could be ven
tured. Still, there was general dispo-
sition to belittle the matter, and
there was no idea that the dogs
Of war were to be unloosed. Baron
Fava had not demanded his passport, as
had been at first reported. There were
many steps in diplomacy, and, though
the slight distinctions and small formal
tiles appeared trivial to the public view.
they were really full OF significance to
the trained diplomatist.
a Demand for Passports
is an extreme measure. 1t is taken
when the war feeling runs high and the
minister's person is in danger at the
hands of the populace. 1t is also in
degree suggestive of menace. A recall
under the circumstances of this case is
a serious matter. There could be no
attempt to disguise the fact, but it does
not signify that mutual explanations
and diplomacy cannot restore the old
status. The charge d. affaires, Marquis
1mperiali, has been left in charge of
the Italian legation, SO that the sew
erance of diplomatic relations can
not be regarded as complete. Just
what the status of this Official is cannot
be known except through his official
acts. 1t is stated that he is in charge of
current affairs" If any serious signifi
cance attaches to the minister's recall,
this means that the charge is to be linn
tied in his functions to issuing passports,
inStructing consular officers, and other
small matters. In this case, further
correspondence between the govern
ments of the United States and Italy
must take place directly between Wash
ington and Rome. But this view of the
case is not generally taken in official
quarters, and it is expected that the
charge 'affaires will be really in charge
of the Italian legation. and that when
Mr.. Blaine wishes to address himself to
| the Italian government, his communca-
tions will be directed to the Marquis
| Imperiali. who, according to notice, is
in charge of
Italy,s Interests
In the United States. 1t can be stated
| positively that unless even is take an
unforeseen and improbable turn there
will be no call issued for an extra ses-
sion of congress, and one of the mos
serious effects of the incident will be
the probable pOstpOnement for an in
definite time of the presidents pro-
posed Southern and Western trip. The
view taken by the administration, as it
! is understood, is that this government
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 it
would prosecute the persouS guilty of
the attack on the Italians at New
Orleans. 1t could not assure the
Italian government that it would
punish them as Italy desires that
would be for grand and petit
| juries to determine. The Italian gov
erument has been told that the preSi-
dent ''deplores the abhorrent occur
renee" and that this government has
taken steps to investigate the matter.
Part of this Investigation was the ascer-
tainment of the nationality of the Ital-
ians who were killed. and this had not
yet been learned There is no proof
whatever before the president or. the
secretary of state that single italian
citizen was among the victims, and
such proof is an absolutely necessary
| preliminary to fair demand for repara-
| ton. The officers of the department of
justice are still inquiring into this and
other branches of the case. 1t is sus-
pected in
administration Circles
that the recent changes in the Italian
cabinet may have had much to do with
the present state of affairs. The Mar
Quis Rudini, who has assumed the
premiership, is supposed to be open to
the influence of popular clamOr and to
desire to achieve reputation with the
masses by catering to the demand of a
hot-headed element in Italy. At any
rate, it is felt that the present state of
affairs is only temporary, and there is
no disposition or intention to take any
hasty action on the part of this govern
ment. Certainly Mr.. Porter. the United
States minister to italy, will not be re-
called, and this government will main
tain a pacific attitude and abide by the
developments of the future. In other
words. as put by very distinguished
statesman, speaking of the subject to-
night, 'we will keep our shirts on, !"
and trust to the lapse of a little time to
restore the old pleasant relations with
Italy. The statement of to-day's event,
given out tonight by high official of
the government, is as follows:
In Nutshell
"Baron Fava, the Italian minister. no
titled Secretary Blaine to-day that, un-
der orders from Rome. he was COM
PEELED to withdraw from his mission
near this government. He does not
close the Italian legation, but leaves
the Marquis Imperiali, the present Sec
retary, to act as charge d'affalres. The
act is in no sense one of hostility to this
government, but may indicate certain
degree of discomfort on the part of the
Italian ministry. Baron Fava has been
Oh diplomatic duty in Washington for
the past ten years, and his retirement
will be much regretted both officially
and socially. The highly sensational
rumors connected with this retir ement
are not believed to have any truthful
foundation"
Porter VIII Remain.
1t is said by gentleman who has had
large experience in diplomatic affairs
of our government that Mr. Porter, the
United States minister to Italy, will not
necessarily return because of the with,
draWal of the Italian minister from this
country. and neither will the course of
the Italian minister necessarily put a
stop to communications between the re-
spective governments. The minister
having turned over the charge of af-
fairs to his secretary correspondence
with his government can be carried on
through that officer. 1t is not custom
ary for governments to address each
other directly, but always through a
minister or some other representative.
a declaration of war, the same Official
said, did not necessarily follow such
action as that of the Italian govern
Inent. There were many precedents
for it, nearly all of which, however,
were among the European nations,