The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-06

The Louisiapa Lynching Cnse Not
Yet Settled.

For the fourth time in the present de-
ade question has arisen with the govern
neut OF Italy in regard 10 the Ign hing
OF Italian subjects. The latest Of these
denlorable events occurred At Tallulah.
La. whereby five unfortunate citizens Of
Italy or OF Italian origin we're taken from
Jail and hanged
The authorities OF the State aud rep
resentatiye Of tho Italian embassy hay
ing separately Investigated the occurrence
wiih d.serepant results, particularly as to
he alleged citizenship OF ihe Victims. and
no. appearing that the State mad been
able 10 discover and punish the violators
u the law, an independent investigation
has been set on foot through the agency
N the department, OF state aud is still In
progrees The result will enable the eX-
aeutiye 70 treat the question with the gov
srnmeut oi italy in spirit OF fairness
and justice. Satisfactory solution Will
doubtless be reached.
This occurrence OF this distressing mani
iestation OF blind mob fury directed at
dependents or natives OF a foreign country
suggests that the contingency has arisen
Tor action by congress In the direction OF
ccnterring upon the Federal courts juris-
diction in this class OF International casel
where ultimate responsibility OF the Fell
tlal government may bo involved. The
suggestion Is not new. In his annual mes
sage OF December 3. 1891, my preieces-
sor, President Harrison. said: 1T would
] believe, be entirely competent for con-
gress 10 make offenses against the treaty
rights of foreigners domlciled In the
United States cognizable In tho Federal
courts. This has not, however, been done
and the Federal officers and courts have
no power in such cases TO intervene al her
tor the protection OF foreign citizen or
Tor he punishment of his slaye.s It
seems % me- 20 follow In this state OF the
law that the officers OF the United Statss
'harged with police and Judi ial powers
IN such raseS must In defense OF inter-
national questions growing out OF such
incidents he regarded in such cases as
Federal agents as to make this govern-
ment answcrshle for their acts in cases
Wnere It would be answerable IL the United
STATES had used its constitutional power to
defend and punish crimes against treaty
rights"
\ bill to provide for the punishment OF
violations OF treaty rights of aliens was
Introduced IN the senate March IS. 1892
ana reported favorably March 30, having
doubtless, in view the language of thai
part of article III of the treaty OF Feb
ruary 70, 1871, between the United States
and Italy which stipulates that 'the Cit
zeps of each OF the high contracting par
Ties shall receive In the territories OF the
other. most constant protection and secu-
riiy. FOR their persons and property, and
shall enjoy In this respect the same rights
ana privileges as are or shall be granted
to the natives. on their submitting them
selves to the conditions imposed upon
The natives"
The bill SO introduced and reported pro-
yided that any act committed In any
state or Territory OF the United States
In violation OF the rights OF a citizen or
subject OF foreign country secured to
such citizen or subject by treaty be-
tween the United States and such foreign
country and constituting Q. crime under
the laws OF the State or ra-. tory they
shall constitute like crime against the
United States and shall be cognisable In
the Federal courts No action was taken
by congress In the matter. I earnestly
recommend that the subject be taken I'm
anew and acted upon during the present
session. The necessity for some such pro-
VISION abundantly appears. Precedent for
constituting Federal Jurisdiction IN
criminal cases where aliens are sufferers
Is nationally deducible from the existing
statute which gives to the district aud cir
sult courts OF the United States juris-
dictlon over civil suits brought by aliens
where the amount involved exceeds a GER
lain sum. II such Jealous solicitude be
shown for alien rights In case OF merely
eiyii and pecuniary Importance, how much
greater should be the public duty TO take
cognizance OF matters affecting the NE
and the rights Of aliens under the settled
principles Of international law no less
than under the treaty stipulation in cases
VI such transcendent wrongdoinG as mon
murder, especially when experience has
shown that Local Justice 10 too often help
less to punish the offender.
After many years Of endeavor on the
part OF this government to that end, the
Italian government has consented 10 enter
INTO negotiations for a naturalization con-
yention having for one OF Its objects the
regulation OF the status OF Italians Tex
cept those Of an age for military service)
who. having been naturslixed In the Uni
ted States. may revisit italy. II IL hoped
thar with the mutually conciliatory spirit
displayed successful conclusion win be
reached,
JAPAN,
The Flowery kingdom, Has Estab.
Jished Its status.
The treaty OF commerce and navigation
between the United States and Japan OF
Novsmbsr %. 1894, took effect In accord
-.