New-York tribune., 1901-08-26
A NATIONS GRIEVANCE.

"The San Francisco Argonaut" has made
discovery calculated TO heat patriotic American
blood 10 the boiling point II tells the story of
the murder at Ervin in Mezzezebba, Sicily of
three American citizens, fruit packers, who
aroused the jealousy OF native workmen, and
recounts the unsuccessful efforts of our State
Department, not hitherto made public, TO secure
the punishment Of the murderers. To the com
plants of our government the Italian Foreign
Minister made the astonishing reply:
First-That the Province Of Sicily is largely
governed by ancient laws handed down from the
Bourbon kings.
Second-That the italian Government has
nothing to do with the criminal Jurisdiction of
Sicily.
Third-That the Governor of Mezzezebba. Sig
nor Longino. prodded by the Ministry Rome
has endeavored to get the syndic and the royal
prosecutor of Ervini TO secure the indictment of
the murderers of the Searses.
Fourth-That It has been utterly impossible to
secure such indictment, the entire district Of
Mezzezebba is controlled by the secret, oath
bound order of the Mafia.
Fifth-That the Mafia have terrorized judges
and juries to such a extent that an indictment
cannot be found.
Sixth-That even If a magistrate to find
an indictment no jury would convict.
Seventh-That under the laws of Sicily the
government at Rome can exercise no coercion
whatever upon the civil authorities and the
courts of Mezzezebba.
Eighth-That therefore the italian Govern
ment very much regrets what has happened, and
In view Of Its own innocence in the matter, and
its inability to make any amends. IT is convinced
that its good friend the American government
will see the necessity for considering the Incl
dent closed.
THE Argonaut' wants to know if we can be
put off with any such excuses as that for out
RACES on our citizens. The murdered men
Richard, Thomas and Anthony Sears-are said
in the dispatch TO have come from San Fran
cisco. and the California spirit is aroused 10
protest against the acceptance of any such plea
OF irresponsibility on the part of the Italian
Government for what takes place under It's
Jurisdiction. 1t is no affair Of outsiders what
the internal constitution of Italy may be- We
have nothing TO do with the Governor of Mezze-
zebba; our dealings with the central gov
ernment and we look TO 1t TO protect our people
and fulfil its obligations as a civilized power in
all parts of It's dominion. II its authority is not
equal to that task it should change It's system
of administration. If it wishes to leave its own
citizens at the mercy Of mobs and bandits, that
is domestic affair; but foreigners have right
10 look to the only government with which
their countries have treaty relations TO make it's
power effective for their protection
These are the irrefutable arguments which
are brought to mind by the incident and we
are about TO say that this is one OF the cases
our people cannot afford to ignore, when 1t
suddenly flashes upon us that we have had to
make similar reply TO Italy several times, nota-
bly, when mobs in New Orleans killed Italian
citizens and the local courts refused TO punish
the murderers. That makes us a little cautious
about being too insistent that countrymen
shall not be murdered with impunity by the
Mafa. Then discover In a postscript of
''rhe Argonaut' that its thrilling story is all
mistake, owing to the ignorance and stupidity
OF translator who found in an Italian paper
an account OF the murder OF three men-Rcardo
Tomaso and Antonio Sero-from San Francisco,
II is true. but from San Francisco, near Palermo
not In Califorhia-at plantation in the town of
Erwin, Mississippi. not Mezzezebba, by a mob