The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-01
King Humbert, Of Italy Recalls
Baron Fava, Minister Resi-
dent at Washington.
His Majesty Much Dissatisfied With
the Course Of the Federal
Government
The State Department Officials Are
All Taken Completely
by Surprise.
The Sole Topic 6 Of Interest at the National
CapitaI-Opinons OF Americans
and Italians.

NAE1ON8
CapitaI-Opinons Of Americans
and Italians.
WARRINGTON, March 31.--With an official
note to-day Baron Fava. the Italian min
lister. has declared to Secretary Blaine tha
the United States government not havin,
given assurance that the murderers O.
Italian subjects, acquitted by American
magistrates, and murdered in prison while
under the immediate protection of the au
thorities of New Orleans would be brought
to justice, the Italian government has founG
itself under the very painful necessity OF
showing openly its dissatisfaction by re.
calling the minister of his majesty from q
country where an Italian representative il
unable to obtain justice. The baron will
soon leave the United States, leaving the
secretary Of the legation in charge of only
current affairs. This action ly the Italian
government caused the deepest surprise in
official circles here when the fact became
known. II had been generally supposed
that the Italian government would at least
wait the action OF the New Orleans grand
jury, which is charged with the investiga-
tion Of the bloody tragedy at the New
Orleans jail. 1t appears, however, that infor-
nation received from it's representative
must have led the government to conclude
that the grand jury investigation would
fail to result in the punishment or even in
dictment of any person connected with the
killing of the Italians.
The letter of Gov. Nichols, in reply to
Secretary Blaine, was also thought to be
regarded as evasive of the real point at
issue, reparation for the alleged wrong, and
the governors assurances, that further
blooSEhea would NOT follow, unaccom-
paniedsby any excuse for the failure Of the
state or municipal authorities To take pre-
cautions to prevent the killing. was, it is
said, regarded by the Italian government
with extreme dissatisfaction. It appeared
that the United States government had ex-
the national government and the govern
ment of the state were SO fixed by the
American constitution that when the Ital-
ian minister, obeying the commands
of his government, sought for
some assurances that the per-
sons concerned in the killing of
it's subjects would be punished, it was not
any definite assurance of the kind. 1t
could and did point to the fact that the
grand jury was the American provision for
calling before the bar of Justice persons
who had violated the law of the land. But
this particular grand jury was called to-
gether under the laws of the sovereign state
of Louisiana, and whether or not it would
punish according to the Italian idea of JUS
tice was something no national off ial,
from the president down, could guarantee,
and the Italian government was not salts
fed with such views. With the relations
between the state and national govern
ments, and the peculiarities of our consti-
nothing to do, but it was necessary, accord
liens in foreign countries should
be accredited the full measure
Of protection fixed by the laws
of these countries. Here was case where.
according to the statement of the minister,
Italian subjects had been arrested on a
charge of crime, and acquitted by an Amor
lean jury, according to forms of American
law. These men we're decided innocent by
The judicial tribunal and had been slain
by an angry people. The Italian govern
ment could not 60 behind the verdict of the
American court, and notwithstanding it
was stated in some quarters that the men
we're really guilty of foul assassination, and
had been acquitted by means of bribery, in
the eye of the italian government they
we're innocent Italian subjects. In their
violent killing the Italian people had been
outraged and insulted. The national gov
of the United States had, as
stated, failed to give any definite assurance
that reparation would be made. There
was but one course, and that was taken to-
lay when the italian minister notified Sec-
retary Blaine lie had been recalled because
his government was dissatisfied with the
This is the italian view of the matter.
There was scommotion among state de-
oartment officials when the fact became
They did not know it officially, save the
eeresary. befure tiie oiUsv OF office hours,
or the secretary is confined at home again
" recurrence of an old malady, the gout. |
The secretary managed to get into car |
iage at four p. M. drove to the White |
louse where he told the president all that |
lad occurred. discussed future prospects,
ome and was, not accessible. State de-
artment officials declined to discuss the
natter. None of the officials cared to be |
uoted in their opinions, as precedents were |
. be looked up before they could be
entured. There was, however, general |
isposition to belittle the matter and there
as no idea that tho dogs of war would be
nloosed.
Fava has not demanded his passport, as
! first reported. There were many steps
, diplomacy, and though the slight dis
notions and small formalities appeared
'ivial IN public view, they were really full
Significance to trained diplomats. A de-
and for passports is nm extreme measure.
ia taken when war feeling runs high and
10 minister's person is in danger at the
ands OF the p0pulace. 1t is also i'll a de-
REQ suggestive of menace. A recall under
10 circumstances OF this case is serious
after. There could be no attempt to dis
,ise this fact, but IL does not signify that
ntual explanations and diplomacy cannot
store the old status. The charge d'atfairs,
Arqnis Imperiale, has been left In charge
! the Italian legation so the +,
verance of diplomatic relations
N not bo regarded AZ complete. just
hat the status Of this official is, cannot be
Town, except through his official acts.
il stated that he IL In charge of 'current
Iatrs." Ii any serious Significance nt-
ches to the ministers recall this means
at the charge Ia TO be limited in his ,
notions TO issuing. passports, instructing
nsular officers and other small matters.