The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-06
ITALIAN LYNCHINGS.

ITALIAN LYNCHINGS.
For the fourth time in the present
decade the question has arisen with
the Government Of Italy in regard to the
lynching Of Italian subjects. The latest
of these deplorahle events occurred at
Tallulah. La, whereby five unforttn-
ates of Italian origin were taken from
Jail and hanged
''The authorities of the State and a
representative of the italian Embassy
having separately investigated the oc.
currence, with discrepant results, par
ticularly as to the alleged citizenship
OF the victims. and it not appearing that
the State had been able to discover and
punish the violators of the law, an In
dependent investigation has been set on
foot, through the agency of the Depart
ment of State. and is still in progress.
The results will enable the executive to
treat the question with the Government
of Italy in n spirit of fairness and JUS
tice. A satisfactory solution will doubt
less be reached
THE recurrence Of these distressing
manifestations of blind mob fury direct
cd at dependents or natives Of a foreign
country suggests that the contingency
has arisen for action by Congress in
the direction OF comforting upon the
Federal Courts jurisdiction in this class
of international cases where the ulh-
mate responsibility of the Federal Coy
eminent may be involved. The sus-
gestion is not new.
Il earnestly recommend that the sub
ject be taken up anew and acted upon
during the present session. The neces-
sity for some such provision abundantly
appears. Precedent for constituting a
Federal jurisdiction in criminal cases
where aliens are sufferers is nationally
deducible from the existing statute,
which gives TO the district and circuit
courts of the United States jurisdiction
of civil suits brought by aliens where the
amount involved exceeds certain sum.
III such jealous solicitude be shown for
alien rights in cases of merely civil and
pecuniary import how much greater
should be the public duty to take cog
nizance of matters affecting the life
and the right of aliens under the settled
principles of international law no less
than under treaty stipulation, in cases
of such transcedent wrong doing as
mob murder, especially when experience
has shown that local justice is too often
helpless to punish the offenders.
after many years of endeavor on the
part of this Government to that end
the Italian Government has consented
to enter into negotiations for a natural
ization convention having for one of its
objects the regulation of the status Of
Italians Except those of an age for
active military service) who, having
been naturalized in the United States,
may revisit Italy 1t is hoped that with
the mutually conciliatory spirit displayed
successful conclusion will be reach
ed
SUNDRY MATTERS.
The President invites attention to the
| necessity of a cable to Manila without
repeating the observations in his special
message February 10th, 1899 The
new treaty of commerce and navigation
| between this country and Japan has
| given rise to no material complaints on
| the part of the American citizens or in
| tcrests. The year has been marked by
| constant increase in the intimacy of our
| relations with Mexico and in the mag
nitude of mutually advantageous inter-
| changes, This Government has omitted
| no opportunity to show its strong desire
| to develop and perpetuate the ties of
cordially now so long happily unbroken.
| The extradition of Mrs. Matte Rich,
citizen of the United States charged
with homicide committed in Mexico, was
after mature consideration directed by
| him in the conviction that the ends of
| justice would be thereby subserved.
| Similar action, on appropriate occasion,
| by the Mexican executive will not only