The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-30
OUTRAGE AT OUR LEGATION.
THE DESKS or OUR REPREsENTA.
TIVEs nv ROME BROKEN OPEN

Most OF the Papers Burued-Ths More val
unbie Documents were Not at the LeSs-
ion-Minister Porter Thinks the Misers.
ants were Common Thieves, who Burn.d
the Papers Because They Found No Booty.
ROME. Jan. 20. Some persons last night
forced an entrance into the American LeRa-
ton By breaking the locks. They broke open
the safe and the desks Of the Minister and
Consul General and then set fire to all the pa
pers in the Offices. A number OF the archives
we're completely destroyed and others par.
TALLY burned
The United Press reporter visited the lega-
ton this morning and found the Offices n
scene OF ruin. In the first large room only the
charred remains OF table and set OF
drawers were left. In the smaller room adj
Joining, used by Vice Consul Wood there
we're no traces of fire. but all the papers were
strewn about the floor In the room occupied
by the Consul General the woodwork and the
desks had been set on fire. and most OF the
archives we're In ashes. Some partially burned
documents we're found lying about. Tho Of
fees Of Minister Porter were In similar con-
dition. Fire had been applied everywhere eX-
cent in the Nice-Consul's room.
II was obvious that the thieves had spent
several hours uudisturbed in their work OF
destruction. Minister Porter said that no val
liable documents were destroyed The Minis
ter informed Baron Blanc. Minister Of Foreign
Affairs. Oft the outrage, and the police we're i'm.
mediately put to work. but as yet they have
found no clue.
Tho belief is gaining ground that the out
rage was perpetrated by some persons inter-
ested in destroying the records OF the office.
The fire was discovered about midnight by
persons who were leaving theatre The peo-
PIE saw fire through the windows and imme-
ulutelY gave the alarm. flremgn ana police
men were soon on the spot. and the flames
were quickly eXtinguished.
The strong box In Minister Porter's room
was broken open. hut less property was de-
stroyed there than in the rooms OF the consul
late. where special attempts were made TO de-
stroy the papers. The archives OF the offices
have been ,accumulatinR for ten years.
Neither Minister Porter nor the COnsul-Gen
eralhal eft their most value BILE papers in their
offices. The only article in the consulate that
mismatic collection Of some value belonging
to the Nice-Consul.
they think the miscreants were nothing but
common thieves. who. after finding nothing to
Hma o the on.
The police. however, are doubtful OF this ex-
PLANTATION. The money damage to the LeGs-
Tine police arc severely criticised for their
lack OF vigilance in the neigh hood Of the
ofthe Investigation said:
IN Doubtless the persons who set flre to the
II is surprising that they respected every
thing except the documents"
The press taxes advantage OF the occasion to
make very friendly remarks concerning tho
legation and the American Ministers who have
occupied II.
WAsHINGToN. Jan. .2a-Secretary Gresham
this morning received a cable message from
Minister Porter at Rome containing substan-
italy the news given In the United Press
despatch concerning the robbery and burning
at the American Legation. Mr.. Porter says he
complained TO the Foreign ohice. and the case
was Civ en- to the police. but so far they have
no clue. He does not say whether the archives
destroyed were valuable and he does not hint
at any motive for the outrage.