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

Italian Government mas Deen tolu tnaI the
President deplores the abhorrent occurrence.
and that the Government has taken steps TO
investigate the matter. Part OF this inyesti-
cation was the ascertainment of the
nationality of the Italians killed, and this
has not yet been learned.
There is no proof whatever before the
President or Secretary OF State that a sim
gle italian citizen was among the victims,
and such proof is absolutely necessary
preliminary to fair demand for reparation.
The officers of the Department of Justice
are still inquiring into this and other
branches of the case.
WILL NOT RETALIATE.
1t is suspected in administration circles
that the recent changes in the Italian Cabi-
net may have much to do with the present
state of affairs. The Marquis di Rudini is
supposed to be open TO the influence OF pop
ular clamor and to desire to achieve repu-
tation with the masses by catering to the
hot-headed element of Italy. AT any rate,
it is felt that the present state of affairs is
only temporary. and there is no disposition
or intention to take any hasty action on the
part of this Government. Certainly. Mr..
Porter, United States Minister to Italy,
will not be recalled, and this Government
will maintain a pacific attitude and abide by
the developments of the future.
PRECEDENTs FOR ITALY's ACTION.
1t is said by a gentleman who has had
large experience in the diplomatic affairs of
our Government that declaration of war
did not necessarily follow such action as
that of the italian Government. There
were many precedents for it, nearly all of
| w:lteh. however, were among European ma
us. TArough a better understanding Of
dif6rences that may exist or through
s'Feriy intercessons of third power,
...ese differences are often adjusted without
recourse to arms.
SO far as is recalled, there have only been
few instances where foreign Ministers to
| the United States have been recalled at the
| request of our Government. or been given
their passports. The first was the French
Minister, Citizen Jeunet, who was recalled
by the French Government at the request of
the United States. because he was person.
ally offensive to this country.
Another case occurred at the time of the
war OF 1872 with Great Britain, when the
! Minister from that country was given his
| passports. There are no cases recalled
where Ministers of the United States to
| foreign country have been given their pass
ports, though there NAV have been one or
more instances of this kind.
WAR SENTIMENT RIDICULED.
The prospect of war over this incident is
ridiculed by this gentleman, as also is the
| prospect of an extra session of Congress
| growing out of the same incident. He sug-
gestcd that misunderstanding may posi-
| bly, exist as to the real nature of the letter
! of Governor Nichols to Secretary Blaine
with respect to the killing. 1t is assumed
| that Baron Fava sent the letter to his Gov
ernment and possibly that Government may
| interpret it as the sentiment Of the Federal
| Government in the case. Nations, he
pointed out, do not go to war in these
times over small affairs.
VARIOUS OPINIONS.
Representative Payson Of Illinois, speak
! ing about the matter, said there was no
danger of war. There is too much good
sense i'll this country. he said. and /. was to
be presumed there also was in Italy, to GO
to war about this difficulty.
Representative Cogswell of Massachu-
setts regarded the situation as one Of
| gravity and deplored the lack of navy
suitable for the defense OF the country.
Oficers of the navy said 81 told you
/ so," when asked how they viewed the
matter. For years past in the face of op-
| position and derisiOu from members of
! Congress representing constituencies located
in the interior OF the country, and in
position safe from outside attack, thy had
persistently pointed out the need for a navy
that would be defense for the country.
| Their colleagues in the army had begged for
coast defenses and yet here we were with
| an International affair on cur hands and
| but the mere skeleton Of navy and maps
| of projected coast defenses at our back
| Would-be economists have opposed
their views. These officers point to the
French spoliation claims, aggregating mill
ions Of dollars, which we are just beginning
| to settle and which found their birth in
an incident somewhat like this. Iu that
case the United States Government dis
regarded its treaty stipulatioas, the French
Government recalled It's MiniSter and with
out declara tion of war on either side, for
two years French men-of-war preyeu upon
American commerce.