Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-26
BLAINgs TALK TO FAvA.
An Interesting Interview as Reported by
the Italian Minister.

controversy between Italy and the United
States growing out Of the lynching ut New
Orleans as reported by Minister faya 70 his
Government. The statements are taken
from q copy OF the Italian green-book con-
tanning the documents submitted by Mar
quis di Rudini 10 the Italian Parliament on
April 30th. The copy Of the green-Dook
reached this country Thursday. having
been sent by Baron Faya from Rome to MS
friend Professor Alesandro Oldrlni, secre-
tary of the Italian Home in New York.
The documents cover the period from
the lynching in the parish prison mp TO
March 18th, when Baron Fava left WASH
ingtOn for Rome. Consul COrte's dispatcn
from New Orleans to Rudini informing him
of the lynching appears at the opening OF
the book. Next comes dispatch from
Fava TO the Italian Government confirm
ing the facts and asking that protest
be sent TO the United States Govern
ment. Then follow Rudin's replies; one
to Corte, advising him To apply to the local
authorities for redress and protection, ana
the other to Faya instructIng him TO enter
a formal protest.
Next follow several dispatches of minor
importance, after which comes the follow
ing report made by Baron Faya OF con-
versation between him and MIR, Blaine on
March 25th:
AN INTERVIEW WITH Mr.. BLAINE.
Blaine: 1t il absolutely impossible for
the Federal Government to interfere with
the administration Of justice in q single
State. ! am astonished that after your ten
years residence in this country you have
not succeeded in impressing your Govern
ment with this fact.
Faya: | have no reason to reproach my
self and you know il. Neither my Gov
eminent, however. nor any other country
will be convinced that your internal laws
are an obstacle IN the way OF justice.
Blaine: Still you informed your Gov
eminent on former occasion that 1t was
impossible for the Federal Government 70
interfere with the other States, and
now Mr.. Blaine was excited.l
Fava: This Is a different and new case.
Blaine: You ask what is impossible.
You know that / cannot change the Con-
stitution.
Faya: do not ask for so much. Ny
hope was that the President and you would
com bine with Governor Nichols III bring
ing the culprits TO justice.
Blaine: No. no: the Federal Govern
ment cannot do that. There Is my an
swer.
Fava: But. then. what is the use Of the
treaties Italy has made with your why
should the King send legation to the
Federal Government
Blame: That is your business.
Fava: Such being the case am sorry to
be obliged TO tell you that the moment mas
come for Italy 10 affirm the inutllity OF ITS
representative in Washington.
Baron Fava then produced Rudini's dis
patch recalling him. Mr. Blaine read 1t
and then said eagerly: "All right, and we
will recall our representative from Rome"
Faya: No, Mr.. Blaine, let me hope even
now that my long mission TO this country
will not end by leaving 1t on bad terms
with Italy.
Blaine: But what can do then?
Fava: Try and induce the Louisiana par
ties to bring the guilty persons 10 justice.
Neither you nor | can admit that the
friendship between the United States and
Italy should depend upon the self-will of
Governor.
Blaine: must speak to the President.
Fava: And must telegraph to Rome.
Blaine: What shall / say to the Presi-
dentt
Fava: Everything, and add that / am
satisfied that no Minister in Italy could
maintain fight on this point against pub
lie opinion and Parliament.
Blaine Al! right. No, no: cable to Rome
until you receive my answer. ] am gong
to the President, and before dinner you
will hear from me. 10 Is understood be
tween us that the Marquis RudinI's tele-
gram is not to be communicated To any
body except the President and myself.
There is inserted the following dispatch
from Rudini to Fava March 26th:
/ still hope that the Federal Government
will give us the assurance that indemnity
will be granted and that judicial proceed
ings will be instituted against the culprlts.
If this assurance Is not given yOu are
authorized TO affirm the uselessness OF
your presence near a government that has
no power TO guarantee such justice as will
us Is administered equally in favor OF
citizens of all nationalities.
NOT RECEIVING ORDERS.
The following is given as dispatch from
Fava to Rudini March 9th:
As Mr.. Blame did not communicate with
me on the 25th instant, according to pro
mise, | called on him Yesterday, and he al
| once complained that | was hurrying him
in manner entirely contrary to diplo
| matte usage.
II do not recognize the right of any
government" he continued, Ito tell the
United States what it should do. We have
never received orders from any foreign
| Power and we will not begin now.
Please inform Marquis di Rudini that
| the Federal Government cannot give the
assurances which he requires, and that II
is a matter of total indifference to me what
persons in Italy NAV think Of our institu
tons. / cannot change them, still less
violate them.
THE fact is, Marquis di Rudini does not
give us sufficient time. You assure me
that four Italian subjects have been massa-
cred, but have my doubts on that point
as am informed that they were mixed NJ
in some scandalous electoral transactions.
n Ahafr 70 hf1t
while ask for time you want an official
declaration on the spot. Well, | will not
do ANYTHING of the kind and you may dc
as you please"
"While Mr.. Blaine was speaking" con-
tinues Baron FaYa, Il did not breathe
and when he had finished / told him that
the Italian Government did not intend &c
interfere with the internal affairs of the
United States and that the Marquis. ii
Rudini did not intend TO give any order:
to the United States Government. | alsC
told him that the Italian Government did
not intend 20 discuss the Constitution OF
the United States, and ignored the exist
ence OF the State of Louisiana IN order
that il might recognize only the Fedora
Government, with which the treaty had
been negotiated"
To this Mr.. Blaine replied
But that treaty guarantees 10 Italian
subjects the same protection guaranteed
! to American citizens. Do you ask thai
your countrymen shall have more protec-
! ton than ours have?"
Baron Fava's reply was that his Govern
ment was entitled to demand for Italians
in America the same protection as was
guaranteed to Americans in Italy.
In dispatch 10 his Government. on the
S1st Baron .Fava says that after further ne
gotiations President Harrison refused &c
make any declaration, though he admitted
that the guilty parties should be punished
He then concludes by saying that he in
formed the Federal Government of his de
parture and that the current affairs of th'
Italian legation would be attended to by
Marquis Imperial.