The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-04-02
s..Ln.ion thnt when Me- italian minister

constitution that when the Italian minister
oheving the commands of his government
sought for some assurances that
the persons concerned IN me
killing of its subjects would be
punished, it was not possible for the gem
earaI government TO give any definite assur-
ance of the kind. 1t could and did point 10
the fact that tie grand jury was an Amen-
can method of calling before the bar OF Jus
lice persons who had violated the law OF
the land, but this particular grand jury was
called together under the laws OF the SOW
ereign state of Louisiana, and Whetner OF
not il would punish according to the llaliah
idea of justice was something that no
national official from the president down
could guarantee.
The Italian government was not sallstleu
with such views. 1t was necessary, accord
ing to its views, that Italian cluZens III
foreign countries should be accorded the
full measure of protection fixed by the laws
of these countries. Here was a case where,
according to the statement OF the minister,
Italian subjects had been arrested on
charge of crime and acquitted by an Amer
lean jury according to forms of American
law. These men declared innocent by
judicial tribunal had been slain by an angry
people. The Italian government could not
90 behind the verdict of the American
court and Notwithstanding 1t
was stated in some quarter
that the Wen were really guilty of foul as
sassination, and had been aCquitt d by
means of bribery, in the eye of The Italian
subjects. In this violent killing the Italian
people had been outraged and insulted,
and the national government of the United
States bad, as stated, failed to give any
definite assurance that reparation would be
made. There was but one recourse, and
that was taken today. This is the Italian
view of the matter. The recall of Baron
department before the close of office hours
for the secretary was ill with govt.
But he did manage to get into
his carriage about o'clock and
drive over to the White house where he
and the president discussed future pros
poets. When he returned to his home he
was not accessible. State department Off
cials did not care to talk about the matter.
Presidents were to be looked up before
thew could be yentured. Still there was
general disposition to belittle the matter,
and there was no idea that the dogs of war
were to be unloosed. Baron Fava had not
demanded his passport as had been at first
reported. The demand for passports is an
extreme measure. 1t is taken when the
war feeling runs high, aud is also in ade'
gree suggestive of menace. Recall under
the circumstances OF thls case is serious
matter.
There could be no attempt to disguise
the fact, but it does not signify that mutual
explanations and diplomacy can not re-
store the old status. Charge d. Atfalres,
the Marquis Imperial, has been left in
charge of the Italian legation so that the
severance of diplomatic relations can not
be regarded as complete. Just what is the
status of this official can not be known
except through his official acts.
1t is stated that he is in charge of eur
rent affairs" If any serious signif, auce
attaches to the minister's recall this means
that the charge is to be limited in his func-
lions to issuing passports, instructing con-
sular officers and other small matters. In
this case further correspondence between
the government of the United States and
Italy must take place directly between
Washington and Rome.