The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-01

at the dispatch as an April joke and had no
hesitation in declaring it canard. They
had had no doubts of peaceful settlement
and were confident that no action would be
taken Dy either Government until the in
vestigation of the New Orleans Grand Jury
had been concluded.
THE ITALIAN CONSUL.
Count Marazzi, Acting Italian Consul
General, when informed Of the report, said
that the story of the detention of Americans
as hostages was manifestly absurd, and, IL
true, would show that Italy had not ad-
vaneed in civilization since the four teenth
century. A story that Italian laborerS were
drilling in the East and other rumors calcu-
lated to create hostile feeling against ltal-
ian residents had been spread over the
country. The source of these reports. he
added, we think we know. 1t may be, he
said further. that Baron Fava has called for
his passports, though, If recalled. it is more
than likely that he would have advised me.
lie goes home to Italy, as a rule, every
spring, and it has been known that he
would go about this time. That Is probably
the foundation of the report. If the Min
lister has been recalled, the Consuls will
stay-the only Italian diplomatic represeE-
tatives. l think it probable that If hostile
move was intended should have had some
notification, considering the difference IN
time between Rome and San Francisco.
Count Marazzi further said tnat there
were, so far as he knew, no Italian war ves-
sels on the Pacific coast and none ON the
Asialc coast, though this lie was not sure
of. There were no Italian merchant yes
sels in port. He would not say whether q
demand for passports, if a hostile move,
would be preceded by diplomatic CORE
spondence. Nothing would. he thought, be
done hastily.
GENERALLY DIsCREDITED.
P. A. MOrbio. editor of Italia, ridiculed
the dispatch. so far as the detention Of
anrTa ntfi Fah II N
that as lawyer who had practiced in Italy,
he could state that the arrest of innocent
parties as hostages was contrary to Italian
law, unless two countries be at war.
A Vensano of Daneri & Co., and G. Onesti
of OneSti & Co., did not believe the report,
the latter adding that the Italian Govern
ment were too Wide awake to take rash
action.
j. Calegamis did not believe tie story.
A. Devota Of 5l6 Sansome, and ID. Biagi,
both American citizens, expressed the same
views. j. G.. Saa with John Roach, would
not believe a word of the report until con-
frmed. The time for reprl5als had gone
past he lad been citizen since 1879 and
was American in sympathy, though he had
a natural feeling for the country oi his birth.
He should regret any misunderstanding be-
tween the two countries.
Andrea SbarborO considered the whole
story d canard. An amiCable arrange ment
was expected by the Italian colony. Italy
was a civilized country, and the report of
the seizure of eighteen hostages was mis-
take.
Petro Cafena of 1913 Montgomery avenue
said: do not believe the report. BY the
latest news | have from Italy 1t appears that
there was some excitement at nrst, but
everything was calm lately. The Italian
colony had no ft 'ling, except confidence that
the matter would be amlca6ly settled.
T;St.E JOKE.
T VarIi pf To Unaa oil pnrn1o
thought the story a huge joke. Italy re,
spects personal liberty" he said, land
would never perpetrate such an injustice"
+. n. BelgranO, whose office is in the store
Of Ii. Levi u Co, also secuted the report
81 see in the Bulletin" said he, ''tbere is a
account of the tobacco scandal The Italian
Government, through its New York and
Washington representatives, buys large
quantity of tObacco annually. great stir
Was raised this year by question put by a
Deputy in the Chamber. Ii was charged
that the tobacco had been nOminally rur-
chased at price considerably above the
market figure at the time of the deal, and
the Government was, in c0nseque nee, de-
frauded of several millions Of francs. An
investigation was ordered, and COrti the
Consul in New 1Ork, was recalled 20 clear
himself from the charges. | have never
heard that Fava was implicated, but it is
possible that Corti, in clearing himself, may
have mixed up Faya with the business. l
see it is stated that Fava had influence with
: the Cri>pi Government. and that they
/, screened him and that his recall is due to
Z tue change OF ministry. That is possible,
| but l know nothing definite about 1t.
BARON FAVA.
/ A description of Baron Favas personal
appearance and manners may at this june
ture be interesting. The late dean OF the
! Diplomatic Corps is a very tall, very slim
man with gray side whiskers. prominent
| nose and generally peculiar cOuntenance.
| He is quick and nervous in speech and
| movement, and of a restless and eXcitable
| temperament. Baroness Fava, who was
well known in Washington society circles
| in President Arthur's time, is in poor health
and has not been in America Tor several
| years,