The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-20
ITALIANS NOT PLEASED
ANNOYED AT CROWNINsHIELD'S AC-
COUNT OF THE VENICE INCIDENT.
Amba ssador PIanches at the State and
Navy Departments Yesterday
Venting His Feelings.

WASHINGTON, June 19.-Signor Mayer
des Planches, the Italian ambassador. was
one of the callers at the State Department
to-day, this being diplomatic day, and took
advantage of the opportunity to express
to DR.. Hill, who was acting secretary of
state in the absence of Mr.. Hay. the very
considerable amount of annoyance caused
him by the publication of the findings Of
the court of inquiry which investigated
the case of the American naval officers
of the Chicago, imprisoned at Venice. The
doctor listened alphabetically TO the am
bassador's representations, for the admin
istration here has done all ii could to min
imize the Venetian incident and has sought
to prevent further publication of details
in the interest of good feeling. At DR..
Hills suggestion the ambassado saw Sec
rotary Moody, rather unusual proceed
ing, for IL is the rule for diplomatic rep
resentatives to confine their exchanges to
the State Department. At the conclusion
of this conference Secretary Moody went
to the State Department and had a private
talk with DR.. HILL None of the partici-
pants in the conference care to state the
nature of the proceedings IT is believed.
however that Secretary Moody is about to
institute a strict inquiry TO ascertain how
the report of the Chicago court of inquiry
gained publicity. and the subject VIII be
discussed at the Cabinet meeting to-mor-
row.
Without fuller knowledge of the facts
than is now had here, il is not possible
for the officials to pass an opinion as to
whether not the publication of the
courts findings constitutes an offense under
the naval regulations for which any one
could be punished for il is probable that
,~rrT1r11 md o inch n him
self was, according to the ordinary rule,
at liberty to make such publication, unless
specially instructed not to do so. 1t is evil
dent, however, that the end has not yet
come TO this affair. Captain Dayton has
not yet applied for a court of inquiry, and
it is now felt that he may not do so. not
withstanding Rear Admiral Crownnshield' 5
severe criticism. Some feeling must have
developed as the result of the criticism,
and unless the vessels of the European
squadron are kept widely separa ted IL may
be necessary i'm the interests of the service
to make some changes in the commands.
The ambassador was particularly con-
cerned at the publication of Admiral
indgnites' from which the American pris-
oners suffered while in jail. The Italian
government has taken the ground that
there was nothing exceptional In the treat
ment of these prisoners, and that state
ment was accepted without question by
the authorities here. The fact Is, that few
lails in southern Europe are maintained on
United States.
To sustain the Italian position. if that
is called into question, there Is the offcial
report OF the proceedings in the Venice
municipal court These already are in the
hands of the ambass dor. but II Is not eX-
pected there will be occasion TO use them.
save in the unlikely event that the govern
ment here adopts Admiral Crownnshields
view as to the treatment OF the prisoners.
As otherwise the comments Will be regard
ed as an individual naval officers views.
communicated TO his government in execu-
ton of his duty on a matter OF interna-
tional administration.
Secretary Moody to-day received the fun
records Of the court OF inquiry. II is not
the present purpose or the secretary 10
make nublic any portion Of the record. The
publication OF the courts finding yesterday
has greatly agitated the surface OF the
situation which was fast smoothing into
placidity. and Secretary Moody. realizing
the delicate nature of the situation. has
hopes by care and absence Of fresh pub
licity 10 adjust matters without further
complica tions.