The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-26
ITALY SEEKS JUSTICE
Would Have United States
Federal Laws Changed.
TO PROTECT ITS SUBJECTS
Lynching in South Has Caused
Renewed Effort for This.

Washington Dec. 25.-The italian gov
eminent has been renewing its efforts Of
late with the authorities in Washington
10 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 ARRAYS directed against Italians such
as have occurred in Louisiana, Colorado
and Mississippi 1t is the exchange OF
views in this connection which recently
brought on the discussion in the Italian
senate when Baron Fava interpolated the
Italian premier az to the progress OF Al
adjustment. Immediately on the arrival
of the new ambassador, Signor Mayor
Des Planches. be took up this question
which had arisen in connection with the
lynchiag Of several Italian citizens at En-
win. Mississippi
In this connection signor Mayer said
today:
Under the treaty which exists between
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 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
connection 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 express
sion OF the treaty so far as 1t relates 70
Italians in this country is somewhat
theoretical, for under the American sys-
ten which limits the federal authority
over states, the central government is not
able to give effect TO the guarantee laid
down by the treaty. We fully recognize
the difficulties OF this situation which has
been as apparent TO the statemen OF this
country as they have to those Of italy.
We have hoped this would bring about
the enactment OF 2 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 whoch have occurred in Louis
lana and Mississippi and would prevent
the periodical agitation over cases aris-
ing n the states As these cases arise.
they would be assured of attention under
the federal authority with careful regard
for the execution of treaty obligations.
Since the recent lynchings at Erwin,
Miss, there has been more or less dis
cussion OF the payment Of q money in
demnity. 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 government. The Italian govern
ment does not seek blood money. At the
same time the families OF the victims who
are the ones most directly affected are
naturally willing TO listen to sugges-
lions 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 gov
eminent. which feels that there is far
greater question involved than any fnan-
cial return to individuals. It is the real
and tn epermanent remedy Of having the
federal laws give to Italian subjects the
protection guaranteed in our treaties that
we desire. and it is 10 this end that my
exchanges OF views are tending rather
than to the payment O. special indemni-
ties in special cases. What the Italian
government desires is a system covering
all cases.