Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-04-23
The Italian Question.

The very able manner in which Mr..
Blaine has dealt with the Italian question
has given him new favor, if possible, in
the eyes of the American people. His re-
cent reply to Rudini is.expressed in calm,
straightforward, plain English easily I'M
derstood. No one, indeed can fail to I'M
derstand just what he means; and any
person, even the dullest Italian, would
have to try very hard to misinterpret it.
The Lewiston Journal very sptly says
Commentator of the spirit as well as
of the logic of Mr.. Baine's reioinder, is
confined to no party or race. The English
press is not less outspoken in its praise
than is the entire newspaper new world.
The Italian Premier has been so handsome
ly and deServedy chastised that one re-
calls the old lines
He kicked me down stairs
With such exquisite grace
That begged he'd kick me up again"
Mr.. Blaine's letter is largely devoted to
giving Prime Minister Rudini lesson in
the science of the L. 5. Government as
actually administered in this country; and
a statement of the conditions upon which
we are willing to take into consideration
the question Of indemnity TO the families
Of the murdered Italian subjects. Its
prime object is to advise Italy upon GER
tain points of international and American
law. These points put into the concrete,
de. lare that our courts are open to Italian
subjects for claims of damages that this
mode of redress should first be followed
to it, conclusion before governmental in
PREVENTION is attempted; that damages to
private individuals for acts done by other
private individuals are to be regarded from
q different point of view from that which
wnuld he appropriate for the considera-
tion Of act- Intentionally offensive to a
foreign nation; that the Federal Govern
meut can neither coerce State in the per-
Torrance of its legitimate functions nor
and, finally, that we can consider the ques-
ton Of redress in any form only when il
has appeared that the persons on whose
behalf it is claimed were in our country
4""t""H a"N HNiiS mere III conformity 10
the laws This means that if they were
criminals. and if they came here in de-
hance If our laws forbiddng entry to
criminals or IT, being here, they laid
themselves open 10 the processes of our
courts and then sought to escape just
verdict ~ the bribery or intimidation of
the lQrX they hSyr forfeited their ripht To
damagcs for violence that overlook them
o.. ..,.,-..,,,..,,,.. ,t,,;. ,.,;,,..
-
~ e'i''"Ni'H secretary b4aIhe says:
ne Mie4 states did not by its treaty
Win Iia.t become the insurer Il the
.tee or property OF Italian subjects
resident within our territory. No gov
eramcut i able, however high its cviliza-
tiuu, however vigIlant its police super
vision, however severe its criminal code.
however prompt and nhexible It's criminal
administration. to secure its own citizens
against violence promoted by individual
malice or sudden popular tumult. A for
cgu resident must be content in such
cases II share the same redress offered by
law - citizen. He has no lust cause of
complaint or right 10 ask the lnterpositiou
of Ill., country, If the courts are equally
or To- linn for redress of his injuries
The treaty IN The first. second and third
notably a the tweutv-third articles, clearly
limits tie rights guaranteed citizens of the
contracting powers in the territory of each
to cGua. treatment and free access 10 the
courts ~ justice. Foreign residents are
not made a favored class and il Is not be-
llevei Italy would desire more stringent
construction of her duty under the treaty.
tt4T- NFlf' Mott.