Evening star., 1901-12-25
Seeking Protection of Her Citizens in
This Country.
FEDERAL STATUTES ALTERED
Views of the Italian Ambassador
Presented.
PUNISHMENT OF LYNCHERS

The Italian government has been renew
| ing its efforts of late with the authorities
| IN Washington to have our federal statutes
| so extended as to protect foreigners in
cases arising within the jurisdiction of
states, thus giving a federal remedy for
lynchings, and like affrays directed against
Italians, such as have occurred in Louisi-
| ana, Colorado and Mississippi 1t is the
exchange of views in this connection which
recently brought on the discussion i'm the
Italian senate, when Baron Fava inter-
polated the Italian premier as to the pros
poets of an adjustment Immediately on
the arrival in this city of the new ambas-
sador, Signor Mayor Des Planches. he
took up this question, which had arisen in
connection with the lynching of several
Italian citizens at Erwin, Miss.
Guaranteed Protection.
In this connection Signor Mayor said to-
day: Under the treaty which exists he
tween Italy and the United States. the
citizens of each country are guaranteed
the fullest protection while residing in the
other country. In the case of Americans
residing in Italy they had exactly the
same rights, the same protection the same
recourse to the courts that an Italian sub-
Ject enjoys. The orSy execution is in con-
nect1on with political rights In the case
OF Italians residing in the United States.
the treaty assures them the same RIGHTS
and protection given to American citizens
But unfortunately this expression of the
treaty so far as it relates to Italians in
TINS country. Is somewhat theoretical for
uluer the American system which limits
the federal authority over states the CEN
traI government is not able to give ef-
rect to the guarantee laid down bv the
treaty We fully recognize the difficulties
OF TINS situation, which have been as ap-
parent to the statesmen of this country as
they have to those of Italy, We have
hoped this would bring about the enact
ment OF law which would permit the
federal government to carry out the guar
antee of treaties. This would be a genuine
remedy for affairs similar to those which
nave occurred in Louisiana and Mississipni
ana would prevent the periodical agitation
over cases arising in the states. AS these
cases arose, they would be assured of
attention under the federal authority with
careful regard for the execution of treaty
obligations.
Indemnity Not the Question.
Since the recent lynchings at Erwin
Miss, there has been more or less dis
cussion of the payment of a money in
demnfty. But in the view of the Italian
government, the question of indemnity does
not enter into the case There has been no
suggestion coming from US, much less a
demand for a cash indemnity to the gov
ernment The Italian government does not
seek blood money. To ask for a money
payment would amount to placing a price
upon corpse; it would be reckoning in
dollars and cents the value of the blood of
an Italian subject. No, most assuredly
there Is no such suggestion of recompense
coming from the Italian government At
the same time the families of the victims
who are the ones most directly affected,
are naturally willing to listen to sug-
ssstlons OF a monetary indemnity, and
when these suggestions are voluntarily
made by the state or federal authorities,
we can do nothing more than be the
medium for considering them in behalf of
our people. But such indemnities are to
the people affected and not to the Italian
government, which feels that there is a
far greater question involved than any
financial return to individuals. 1t is the
real and the permanent remedy of having
the federal laws OF the United States 10
give to Italian subjects the protection
guaranteed in our treaties that we desire |
and it is to this end that my exchange of |
views is tending. rather than to- the pay
ment of special indemnities in special |
cases. What the Italian government is |
hopeful of seeing accomplished is a system |
covering all cases.