Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS ,MEssAgE.

of the Presidents message sent to congress yesterday:
 THE LYNCHING OF NEW ORLEANS ITALIANS.
 The lynching at New Orleans in March last of eleven men of Italian nativity by a mob of citizens was a most deplorable and discreditable incident. It did not, however, have it's origiu in any general animosity to the Italian people, nor in disrepect to the government of Italy, with which our relations were of the most friendly character. The fury of the mobs was directed against these men as the supposed participants or accessories in the murder of city official. do not allude to this as mitigating in any degree this offense against law and humanity, but only as affecting the international questions which grew out of it It was at once represented by the Italian minister that several of those whose lives had been taken by the mob were Italian subjects and de- mand was made for the punishment of participants and for an indemnity to the families of those who were killed. It is to be regretted that the manner in which these claims were presented was not such as to promote calm discussion of the questions involved, but this may we'll be attributed to the excitement and indigna- tion which the crime naturally evoked. The views of this government as to its ob- ligations to foreigners domiciled here were fully stated in the correspondence, as we'll as it's purpose to make an investigation of the affair with a view to determine whether there were present any circum- stances that could, under such rules of duty as we had indicated, create an obli- gation upon the United States. The tenn porary absence of a minister plenipoten- tiary of Italy at this capitol has retarded the further correspondence, but it is not doubted that a friendly conclusion is attainable. Some suggestions growing out of the unhappy incident are worthy of the attention of congress. It would, believe, be entirely competent for congress to make offenses against the treaty rights of foreigners domiciled in the United States cognizable in the federal court. This has not, how ever, been done, and the federal officers and courts have no power in such cases to intervene, either for the prosecution of 6 foreign citizen or for the punishment of his slayers. It seems to me to follow in this state of the law that the officers of the state charged with police and judicial pow ers in such cases must, in the consideration of international questions growing out of such incidents, be regarded in such sense as federal agents as to make this govern ment answerable for their acts in cases where it would be answerable if the United States had used it's constitutional power to define and punish crimes against treaty rights.
 THE BALTIMoRE's SAILORS.
 On the 16th of October an event oc- cured in Valparaiso so serious and tragic in its circumstances and results as to very justly excite the indignation of our people and to call for prompt and decided action on the part of this government A con siderable number of the sailors of the in the harbor of Valparaiso, being upon shore leave and unarmed were assaulted by armed men nearly simultaneously in different localities in the city. One petty officer was killed outright and seven or eight Seamen were seriously wounded, one of whom has since died. So savage and brutal was the assault that several of our sailors received more than two, and one as many as eighteen stab wounds. An inves- tigation of the affairs was promptly made by board of officers of the Baltimore, and their report shows that these assaults were unprovoked, that our men were conduct ing themselves in a peaceable and orderly manner, and that some of the police of the city took part in the assault, using their weapons with fatal effect, while a few others, with some we'll disposed citizens, endeavored to protect our men. Thirty six of our sailors were arrested, and some of them, while being taken to prison, were cruelty beaten and maltreated. The fact that they were ali discharged, no criminal charge being lodged against any one of them. shows very clearly that they were in no sense guilty of breach of the peace. So far as have been able to learn, nc other explanation of their bloody work has been suggested than that it had it's origin in hostilities to those men as sailors of the United States who were in the uniform of their government, and not in any indi vidual act or personal animosity. The at tention of the Chilian government was al | once called to this affair, and statement of the facts obtained by the investigation we have conducted was submitted, accom- | panied by request to be advised of any | other, or qualifying facts in the possession | of the Chilian government, that might | tend to relieve this affair of the appearanc, | of an insult to this government. The | Chllian government was also advised that | if such qualifying facts did not exist thii l government would confidently expect full | and prompt reparation. IL is to be re I gretted that the reply of the secretary fol | foreign affairs of the provisional govern ment was couched in an offensive | tone. To this no response ha!
 been made This government is nov awaiting the result of an investigation
 which has been conducted by the crimina
 court at Valparaiso. It is reported uuoff
 cially that the investigation is about com | pleted and it is expected that the resul | will soon be communicated to this govern | msnt. together with some adequate anC | satisfactory response to the note, by whicl | the attention of Chilli was called to thi
 incident. If these just expectations should
 be disappointed or further needless dela,
 intervene, 1 will, by a special message
 bring this matter again to the attention oi | congress for such action as may be neces
 sary.
 THE JEWS IN RUSSIA.
 This government has found occasion t
 express, in friendly spirit but with mucl
 earnsstness, to the government of the css it's serious concern because of the hars
 measures now being enforced against tn
 Hebrews in Russia. By the revival of tn
 anti -Semetic laws long in abeyance grea
 numbers of these unfortunate people hay
 been constrained to abandon their home
 by reason of the impossibility of fiudin
 subsistence within the pale to which it
 sought to confine them. The immigratio |
 other countries being closed to them,
 largely increasing, and is likely to assum
 proportions which may make it difficult
 find homes and employment for them her
 and to seriously effect the labor market
 It is estimated that over 1000, 900 wi
 be forced from Russia within a fe'
 years. The Hebrew is never Q beggal
 he has always kept the law, hs : lived by toll, often under severe and oI
 pressive civil restrictions. It is also tru
 that no race, sect or class has more full
 cared for it's own than the Hebrew rac' But the sudden transfer of such mutt E tude, under conditions that tend to stri
 them of their small accumulations and
 depress their energies and courage,
 neither good for them nor for us. I'll
 punishment, whether by direct decree (
 by not less certain indirect methods, of { , large number of men and women, is n' a local question. A decree to leave or | country is in the nature of things an ord' to enter some other. This consideration as we'll as the suggestion of humanit. furnishes an ample ground for the remol ] strances which we presented to Russi while our historic friendship for hat go
 ernmsnt cannot fail to give the assuran'
 that our representations are those of a sil ! cere well-wisher.
 THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
 l. If this work is to be promoted by u l usual fin ancial methods and without u :. aid of this government, the expenditur 2 in it's interest bearing securities and stocl : will be twice the actual cost. This wi