The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-18
Italy's Demand for Preparation.

II is not probable that Italy's demand for
reparation for the killing of the three
Italians at New Orleans on Saturday, who,
it is alleged, were Italian citizens. will be
very vigorously urged. Indeed, the Italian
authorities are rather glad TO get rid of
| people who are members of assassination
| societies, and they are not likely 10 sympa-
thize very deeply with those of her citizens
in this country who are connected here with
similar organizations. While the proof is
not positive, perhaps. that the three victims
Of the vengeance of the people of New
Orleans for whom Italy is interesting her.
self were members of the Malta and took
part in the assassination of Chief Hennessy,
it is believed that they were. The testi-
mony that they were is certainly very
strong.
1t is difficult to see what sort of indemnity
Italy can demand beyond an expression of
regret from this government, and that
has already been forwarded by the state
department to the Italian government. 1t
is out Of the question, of course. to talk of
money indemnity. There is no fund out of
which payment could be made, and it is
pretty certain that, with the proof
ther3 is that the men for whom
PREPARATION is demanded were members
of an oath-bound assassination organiza-
ton, which had committed large number
of murders. congress would not make an
appropriation for such a purpose. And, as
matter of fact, If any money had to be
paid it would have to come from Louisiana,
and it can be stated now with a consider
able degree Of positiveness that that state
will never admit by any act Of hers
that her people murdered three innocent
ltalians-that is, unless there is convincing
evidence that the three Italians were inno-
cent Of the crimes with which they were
charged.
Some Of the italian newspapers are
making a mistake by insinuating that the
Italians in this country, who they say
number 1.000, GOO, will form themselves into
secret organizations to avenge the death of
those who were killed in New Orleans
unless satisfactory reparation is made. II
anything like that were done there would
soon be fewer Italians in the United States.
While the affair at New Orleans is to be
deplored it must be admitted that there
was an excuse for it, and it would be wiser
for the Italian newspapers to use their in>
1uence to destroy the Malta than to seem
to encourage its existence. 1t is safe TO
say that the great body of intelligent
Italians in this country are glad that the
Malta has been struck so severe blow, and
they would be glad if it and all other sim
liar organizations, if there be any, could be
utterly wiped out of existence.
Doubtless there will be considerable cor-
respondence between this government and
the government of Italy relative to the
New Orleans affair, but twill not be of
kind calculated to lessen the cordial rela-
lions existing between the two countries.
The attempt to draw a parallel between
the assassination of Chinese laborers in a
western territory couple of years ago and
the killing Of the Italians at New Orleans
is not successful, for the reason that the
Chinese had committed no crime, and, be-
81 des, they were killed in part of the
country over which the United States had
unlimited jurisdiction. In the case of the
Chinese an indemnity was paid. 1t is evil
dent that that case cannot be cited as a prec-
edent in the New Orleans case.