The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-04-16
ITALIANS CLAIMS.
Secretary Blaine's Latest on tho
New Orleans Affair.
INDEMNITY WAS NOT PROMISED.

Wcbstcr-Rciicf VIII Dc Given if
the Circumstances Warrant 1t.
!. WASHINGTON, April 10. - Secretary
Blaine's reliy to Premier Rudini's last
official utterance respecting the Italian
incident was completed and handed to
Marquis Iuperiali Tuesday. Marquis
I1nperinli's last note, which includes the
Rudini dispatch, and Secretary Blaine's
reply were given to the press last night.
! The Marquis note includes the dis
patch from Rudini, heretofore published,
in which the Italian premier urges only
prompt action, and in which he says fur
ther:
wish to ndd that the public opinion In Italy
u Justly Impatient, and u concrete provisions
Wcro OF onre taken should find myself in tho
bainful necessity Of showing openly our dis
Latisfaction by recalling the minister of his
majesty from country where he is unable to
obtain Justice. RuDINI.
Secretary Blaine, in his reply to the
Marquis lmperiali's correspondence, says:
Indemnity Not Promised.
You quote in your note part of the Marquis
Budini's telegram OF April In these words:
meanwhile his innjesty's government takes
note of the declaration whereby the Federal
government recognizes that an indemnity Is
due to the families of tho victims, la virtue OF
tho treaty In force between the two countries"
II the Marquis Rudini will carefully examine
my note Of April he will discover that II did
not recognize that nn indemnity is due to the
Families OF tho victims, In virtue Of tho treaty
In force between the two COUNTRIES" What |
did say was In answer to Baron Favn's n,5cr-
tion that the United States government re-
Fused TO take this demand for indemnity into
consideration. &Axs1
! The Marquis Rudini may be assured that the
Dnited States would rccuinpensc every Italian
subject who might "be wrongcd by u violation
cf treaty" to which the faith Of the United
States is pledged. But this assurance leaves
unsettled the important question whether the
tresty has boon violated. Upon this point tho
president, with sum lent facts placed before
him, has taken full time for decision. He now
Directs that certain considerations on the gen.
eral subject be submitted TO the Judgment Of
The italian government.
A Precedent of Value.
! As precedent Of great value 10 the case
under discussion the president recalls the con-
eiuson maintained by Mr.. Webster in lSj1,
whom ho was secretary of state under Presi-
dent Fillmore. In August of that year a mob
In New Orleans demolished the building in
which the Spanish consul was Local ed, and at
hsae same tlino attacks were made upon coffee
houses and cigar shops kept by Spanish sub
feets. American citizens were involved In the
Losses, which. in the aggregate, were large.
The supposed cause of the mob was the intelli.
Kenco Of the execution Of fifty young Amerl-
nens In Havana, and the banishment to Span
asA mines of nearly two hundred citizens Of
he Unitod States. The victims were all men,
bsrs Of the abortiye Lopez expedition. In con-
h1quence of these dcpredations OF the mob
npon the property of the Spanish consul, as
Eeil as against the Spanish subjects, Don CAL
hernn De la Bancn, the minister of Spain, de-
EHandpd indnt-a tion nj the InSsna
both Official and personal.
Tho Consul Had Special Claim.
Mr. Webster admitted that the Spanish
consul was crtl.le1 TO indemnity, aad assured
the Spanish rliniator that II the injured con-
Hul, NJ. Laborde, "shall return to his post. OF
ahf other consul for New Orleans shall be ap.
pointed by her Catholic majesiy's govern
rsent, the officers of this government resident
In that city will be instructed TO receive and
treat him with courtesy, and with n national
salute to the flag of his ship, II he shall arrive
N Sp anish vessel, as a &c monstratlUn of re-
aYcct." But when pressed by the Sponish min
tzter to afford indemnity TO Spanish subjects
Injured by the mob, in common with Ameri-
san ci.i-e Mr.. Webster declined TO accede
b the demand, and gave his reasons.
These reasons were to the effect that
The consul was entitled to special pro-
lection because of his position, while
Spanish subjects resident here are en-
sAtAou- Olli1 W luz pTobtCbiOu ullOTubu
cur own citizens. The consul and the
subjects were, however, subsequently
tndemnifed in recognition of certain
lnagnanimous action On the part of Spain
eDwards Americans.
May Sue for Damages.
The right to judicial remedy which Mr..
Webster assured to the Spanish subjects Is
likewise assured to the Italian subjects. Tho
right is specially guaranteed in the second
section OF the third article of the constitu-
sion. And, as Mr.. Webster points out, the
resident alien has privilege which is denied
30 the citizen. The widows and children of the
citizens who lost their lives by mob violence
may sue the leaders and members of the
mob only in tho courts of Louisiana, while
the widows and cnildren of the Italian SUBJ
beots who suffered death have tho right TO sue
each member Of the mob, not only In the state
courts, but also before the federal tribunal for
she district OF Louisiana. Provision is made
In the revised civil code of Louisiana for re-
dress of such grievances as the widows and
children Of the victims Of the mob may plead.
The Cases Different.
Tho government of the United States would
feel justified in resting the argument and
conclusion of Mr.. Webster If the mob of March
u, 1891, did not in some of its characteristics
differ from the mob of 1851. But II Is due to
entire candor due to this government and due
% the government of Italy to point out certain
differences, of which the government Of the
United States is In honor bound to take
potina.
- In the case OF the mob Of 1851 Mr.. Webster
Asscrts that mo personal injury was offered to
any one;H Ihat .the police and other legal uu-
thorities did all thnt was possible TO preserve
The peace and arrest the rioters;" that "the
mob acted In the heat of blood and not in pur-
suance Of any predetermined plan or purpose
nf injury or insult;' that "the mob was COM
posed Of irresponsible persons, the names OF
none OF whom are known to the government Of
she United States, nor, SO far as the govern
months informed, TO its officers or agents In
New Orleans"
Our Government Moving Promptly.
As promptly as possible after the lnrnentable
occurrences at New Orleans the president di-
fected the attorney general to cause through
IDS department a full inquiry to be made into
all the facts connected Herewith. He Inns moi
yet received the official report. II II be found
Mat q prosecution can bo maintained under
khe statutcg of tho United States. tie case will