St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-05-14
A STARTLING STORY.
Consul Corte, in Explaining
His Recall, Tells Some
Secrets.
Mayor Shakespeare and the
Mob Leaders Were Marked
For Death.
Only the Consul'S Firmness
Prevented the Consumma-
ton of the Deed.
The Departing Official Now
Takes a Hopeful and Pa
cifie View.

New ORLEANS, May 13.-In an inter
view with reporter to-day, Senior Corte
said: Relative to my alleged recall as
the consular agent of the Italian gov
eminent during the stirring events
which have led to the diplomatic coutr-
estes between my government anu that
of the United States, am about the
only accredited Italian who is able to
officially testify in person as to the
numberless complications which origin
ated from the New Orleans affair. My
testimony, supported by documents
which l have carefully drawn up touch
affair, is required at home. My
chief desires my presence. He
has summoned me, and l am
about to obey. At any rate. why should
l be recalled? Because | have ex-
pressed my opinion as an Italian upon
the barbarity of the acts complained
of? God forbid that, as a gentleman
and free agent. in free country, and
officially the representative of one of
the European powers, L should It, taken
to task for having the courage to eX-
press an opinion upon matters vital to
the dearest sentiments of my country
men. Do your people expect that l
think as your mayor does, or the fore
man of the grand jury?' Mr.. Corte
was allowing his feelings to oYermaster
him, but
He Checked Himself
in time and continued in more COM
posed manner: 'Pardon me, my dear
sir, if have spoken too animatedly. but
L am naturally Impuisive and words fol-
low consonantly with the impetuouSity
of my thoughts. have just now alluded
to the mayor and grand jury. Let me
tell you that / have saved Mayor Shake
speare's life, and have done the same
service to Mr.. Parkerson and Mr..
Wickliffe and other leaders. | tell you
this contidentially. DO not use the in
formation until l have left for Italy.
But, bah; let it go. You may say it to-
day. The day after the killing there
was determined, absolute, almost uu-
controllable determination among GER
tain of my countrYmen to kill the mayor
and all those who had had
hand in the butchery. But l re-
strained their hands. l controlled
the furious men. told them to be-
ware. said that if any harm befel
those gentlemen. L would Immediately
and unreServedly denOunce the perpe
traitors of the deed. This firm stand
checkedIthem, and.l succeeded Unfolding
them in the promise that | would do ev-
erything in my power to obtain justice,
redress and satisfaction in the proper
and legitimate manner-arbitratiO and
other diplomatic measures between the
two governments" Mr.. Corte paused
for a couple of minutes, then resumed:
81 have every confidence in the saying:
"AlPS we'll that ends WE'LL" The future
has peace ana cordial entente in store.
Popular jury and race prejudiees have
run their course, and the reign of calm
reflection and sober judgment is at hand
n'the diplomatic attempt at amable
understanding and a satisfactory ad
JuStment of the present question. 1t
would be an
Act Humanity
if the solution of the problem Is fou nd
in the payment of an indemnity to the
families of the dead Italians. | have
conclusive evidence that among the
killed there were several Italian sub
jects, and that they could have proven
an alibi as clear as daylight to eXcul-
pate them from the Hennessy murder.
Would it not be just to indemnify the
bereaved onesp' Mr.. Corte next spoke
about the return of his letter by the
grand jury. 81 am not surprised" said
he, Eat their action. Could L expect
anything more from grand jury whose
chairman, as president of the cotton
exchange, Endorsed the killing? l will
not answer their letter. 1t is perfectly
useless to say or do anything more
about this matter" Relative to his near
departure for Italy, Mr.. Corte said that
he could not leave until he had heard
from SCR. Poma. The latter, who is in
Boston, has been telegraphed to in Or
der to let Mr.. Corte know when he
would be in New Orleans. If the an
swer comes to-day, Chevalier Corte will
be ready to go tomorrow evening. After
an informal talk and exchange Of cour-
tesies and a'cordial handshaking, the
interview concluded, Mr.. COrte assuring
the reporter that he would go with the
best OF feeling towards the people of
New Orleans, and he hoped that when
he returned there would exist an en-
tente cordiale between his government