Omaha daily bee., 1891-04-01
ITALY ON HER HIGH HORSE.
IcoSrlyurp FROM FIRST rAoE.1

in Italy as well as in one section of the Italian
colony in this country to secure the recall OF
MIR. Eava, He has been accused of all sorts
Of pheasant things, among which were the
alleged sale of the decoration of the cross OF
the crown Of Italy" with being mixed up in
the padrone systCm, and in tobacco con-
tract, under which 1t Is charged that he and
some other Italians derrauded the ltal.
ian government out of several mil
ions of francs 1t is posi- bic
that his recall is connected with
these charges but IL this were the case 1t
would have been in order for him TO have an
nounced the name of his successor at the
time of presenting his recall to the secretary
of state. This he did not do.
The utmost reticence is maintained among
the officials Of the state department as well
as by the members of the Italian legation,
all of whom positively decline to say any
thing at all on the subject. In dirlomatic
circles the affair is discussed from the stand.
point assumed that Fava is recalled on ac-
count of u hostile feeling among tho Italian
authorities towards the United States, and
the most astute diplomat in tle corps does
not hesitate to pronounce the action OF Italy
as lujudicious, unwise and petulant.
versing with your correspondent TO-
night one gentleman, who has been in the
diplomatic service for more than twenty
years, said Had this incident occurred in
any European government everyone would
have expected to see immediate preparations
for open hostilitics. The next step would
have been declaration of war. But here all
is different. No one looks for war. We shall
see another minister accredited to the United
States in short order. 1t cannot be possible
that the king OF Italy will so far forget what
is due to the officials of your state depart
ment as to sever all diplomatic
relations because some of his subjects are sup
posed to have been murdered. We have all
watched the proceedings in New Orleans
with theutmost interest, and it seems that no
one b as yet proved that a single subject of
the italian king has lost his life. Until the
allegiance of the murdered men Is clearly
proven ii is not within the province of any
foreign power to demand redress for. supposed
injuriesn
The scare head which appeared over the
account of the affair in the local pal per which
had the news naturally created the greatest
excitement in Washing gton. 1t was the sole
topic of discussion in the lobbies OF the ho
tells, the clubs and upon the streets. Army
and navy people were besieged with inquiries
as to the strength of the Italian army and
navy, and legal books upon the subject of
international law We're more eagerly read aud
examined than ever before. Italy is the
third naval power in the world at
the present time, and this fact was
not reassuring. But among the officials Of
the govern ment not "a shallow of alarm was
manifested. The few senator's and congress
men who could be found laughed at the idea
of any serious consequences resulting from
the recall of the diplomat
Probably the most rational explanation OF
the somewh hat extraordinary action of Italy
was made tonight by a gentleman who is
thoroughly posted in Italian affairs He said :
"1he Italians as a people are greatly worked
up over the killing of their cOuntryrhen in
New Orleans. They know nothing of
the real situation and they have
no idea of the difference between the
state and federal governments of
| this country. The anti-administration
party in Italy has fostered the idea that the
| United States has not taken proper steps to-
wards securing redress for the wrongs of the
people, and the result is that the greatest
| feeling of animoslty towards the party in
power is manifested 1t has become neces-
| sary to do something. The authorities fully
| understand d the dual system of government
! prevailing here, but the people do not, con-
| sequently, in obedience to the popular de-
| mand for immediate action of some sort, the
| minister has been recalled There is no rea-
| son to suppose for moment that Fava's re-
| call means hostile action on the part of
| Italy. On the con trary, the fact that
| a secretary of legation is left at the legation
| shows that Italy will continue to be repre-
sented, and, while Faya will probably never
| return, there is every reason to believe that
some one else Will be sent in his place very
L -