New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-09
REPORT ON LYNCHINGS.
ITALIAN SECRETARY TAKES SERIOUS
VIEW OF TALLULAH AFFAIR
LAST THREE MURDERS SAID TO HAVE
BEEN COMMITTED IN COLD BLOOD
COPY OF FINDING SENT TO
cThTE IMPAIRMENT
STATE DEPARTMENT.

STATE DEPARTMENT.
Washington. Aug S.-The state Department
has received from the Italian authorities copy
Of the complete report made by the Marquis
Romano. Secretary Of the Italian Embassy here
after his personal investigation Of the recent
lynching OF five Italians at Tallulah, La
The report presents the affair in a serious
light. AS a whole the Italian authorities view
the matter Of the lynching one Of unusual
atrocIty and without the mitigating circum-
stances which had been urged in previous af-
fairs OF this kind.
In describing the first affray which led to the
lynchng Marquis Romano's report states that
DIR. Hodges the first to draw his weapon
and that not until he had fred one shot ana
was about to fire the second one at Charles
Dlfata. who was at that time PROSTATE on the
ground did the brother. Joseph Difata, fire MS
shotgun from the store near by. This last shot'
II is pointed out, in defence OF the fallen
brother and was not wanton attack upon Dr.
Hodges The circumstances leading up to the
ARRAY are described in detail. According TO
this account Charles Difata was alone when
Dr. Hodges passed. There is no effort MADE IN
the report to obscure the fact that Charles
Difata made the first offensive overture. put II
is contended that this was not accompanied py
the use Of firearms or even a movement 10
draw them 1t is said, however. that Charies
Difata upbraided Dr. Hodges in an onensNe
way for having killed an animal, ana accom-
panied this by blow Of the fist Iheh' II Is
stated DR. Hodges shot at Difata. Whether or
not the shot took effect it was not possible TOT
the Italian authorities to learn. as the bodies Oh
the men after being lynched were dishgured ana
disposed Of But at all events 1t is stated that
Charles Difata was on the ground Following the
shot from Dr. Hodges's weapon.
At this point Joseph Difata made his appear
ance and seeing his brother down and secoiu
shot about to be fired. shot at Dr. Hodges
Then followed the lynching OF the two ltai-
ians Joseph Dfata and Charles Difata. Inc
mob took them before they had been arrested
Up TO this point. according 10 the ltaiah re-
port. only these two Italians had figured in the
affair The report goes on to state that through
out the occurrence the three other Italians
Frank Difata, Joseph Feducio and John Cera-
mie-were in another street and did not know
what was occurring.
It is stated that they did not take part In the
attack on Dr. Hodges. and that they did not
even know OF IT until some time after, when the
local officers came to arrest them This arrest
was ACCOMPLISHED and the three Italians were
actually placed in jail The report then prlhss
mt that the mob. having already Encheu
Charles and Joseph Difata turned It's attenlloi non
TO the three Italians under arrest Two OF th"se
men Joseph Feducio and Frank Dltata- Wete
Nrst taken from the officers and lynched. SUD
seauentIy and some little time afterward' tne
mob returned and took John Ceramic ana
lvnched him In this circumstantial way the
y.ort brings ont that the mob made three dis
tinct % movements against the Italians and that
there was sufficient time for the blood 10 cooI sI
and for the anger OF the lyncheTs 10 apate ailei are
thev bad disposed of the hrst two men. Partlcu-
lar Importance is laid upon this feature ior'
while II is said there may have been some eN-
tenuatlng circumstances In visiting suCh SUN SUN
cerned in the affray with Or. Hodges. yet the
lime elapsing before the second and third lyncn-
ings Is regarded as an element OF particular
atrocty. .ss ., tho
The full report has been forwarded 70 tne
I,oiion Foreign Office and a copy OF 1t placed Ill
the hands Of the State Department