Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-12-26
ITALY PLEADS \
TO UNCLE SAM.
WANTS LAWS EXTENDED TO Sc
CURE ABSOLUTE PROTEC-
TON TO ITALIANS IN
AMERICA.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 25.-The Italian
government is renewing its efforts of late
with authorities in Washington have our
federal statutes so extended as to pro-
tect foreigners in cases arising within the
jurisdiction OF states, thus giving a federal
remedy for lynchings and like ARRAYS
directed against Italians. such as have
occurred in Louisiana, Colorado and Mis-
sissippi.
1t is the exchange of views in connec-
ton with which recently brought up a
discussion in the italian senate when
Baron Fava questioned the italian pre-
mier as to the progress of an adjustment.
Immediately after the arrival of the
new ambassador, Signor Des Flanches, he
took up this question which had arisen
in connection with the lynching of seven
italian citizens at Erwin, Miss. In this
connection Signor Flanches said:
Under the treaty which exists between
Italy and the United States the citizens
of each country are guaranteed the full
est protection while residing in the other
country In the case of Americans re-
siding in italy they had exactly the same
rights, the same protection, the same re-
course to the courts, that an Italian sub
ject enjoys, the only exception is in con-
nection 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 citi-
zens. But unfortunately this expression
Of the treaty so far as II relates to Ital-
ians in this country is somewhat theo-
retical for under the American system
which limits the federal authority over
tates, the central government is not able
We the effectual guarantee laid down
A.. he treaty. I'VE fully recognize the
difficulties of this situation which has
been as apparent to the statesmen of this
country as they have to those of Italy.
We have hoped this would bring about
the enactment of law which would per-
NIT the federal government to carry out
the guarantees Of treaties. This would be
a genuine remedy for affairs similar to
those which have occurred In Louisiana
and Mississippi and would prevent the pc
riodical agitation, over cases arising in the
states AS these cases arise they would
be assured of attention under the federal
authority with careful regard tor the ex-
ecution of treaty obligations.
"Since the recent lynchings at Erwin,
Miss, there has been more or less discus
sion of the payment of money indemnity.
But in the view of the italian govern
ment, the question, of indemnity does not
enter the case. There has been no sug-
gestion coming from United States,
much less a demand for a cash indemnity
to the. government. The italian govern
ment does not seek blood money. At the
same time the families, of the victims, who
are the ones directly affected, are natural
ly willing to listen to suggestions of mo
mentary indemnify, and when these sug-
gestions 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 in
IDENTITIES are to 1.-THE people affected, and
not to the Italian government, which feels
that there is a far, greater question in
VOWED. than any financial return to in
dfviduals 1t is tie real and the perma-
nent remedy OF having the federal laws
give to italian subjects the protection
guaranteed in our treaties that we desire,
and it is to this end that my exchanges
of views are tending, rather than to the
payment of special indemnities in special
cases. What the Italian government de-
sires is a system covering all, cases"