Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-27
Determines to Make Formal
Request for Extradition of
Wjfe-Murderer.
CASE A PUZZlING ONE
FOR STATE Department
Italy Would Accept a Refusal as
Her Vindication.
PRISONER NEAR BREAKDOWN
Conflicting Reports From Jersey
City Jail Regarding His Con-
dition-Alienist Is
Repulsed.

Repulsed.
ROME. June 2I.-The foreign Office to-
day decided to follow the provisions of
the Italian-American extradition conven-
tions and to ask for the extradition OF
Porter Charlton, leaving it with the
American authorities to accept or refuse
the request.
With this decision the Lake Como muir
Ner case enters the realm Of diplomacy,
and the outcome of the exchanges be-
tween Rome and Washington will be fol-
lowed with an interest quite outside that
attached to the murder of Mrs. Charl-
ton.
AS soon as IL was known here that
the confessed slayer was under arrest
In the United States, the ministry OF
Justice recognized the unusual situation
In which the Italian authorities were
placed and referred the whole matter
20 the foreign office.
Italy's Attitude in Past.
Extradition between Italy and the
United States is provided for in the con-
ventions Of 1853 and 1854. but Italy has
always held that these treaties did not
cover the cases Of Italian citizens who.
having committed crimes in the United
States, escaped to their native country.
In such instances the government has
insisted that the accused be tried In the
4Roy
times requests for extraditions of Italian
criminals from the American State De-
partment have been refused.
Nevertheless in the present case the
Hcysrnment determined to put the matter
ND to Washington. Should the American
state Department follow the precedent
astablished by this country and refuse
che extradition Of Charlton its action will
be construed as q recognition of the
equity Of the Italian Interpretation Of
the extradition conditions, providing. of
course, that the refusal Is not based upon
the grounds that the prisoner Is insane
or for any reason other than that he Is
an American citizen.
On Verge Of Breakdown.
NEW YORK. June 27.-Italy's decision
70 apply for Porter Charlton's extradi-
ton, announced today. is believed here to
be likely to hasten a decision on the
pending question of his mental condition.
Coincident with the news from Rome,
too. came word from Jersey City, where
the confessed wife-murderer Is confined
pending his arraignment tomorrow on the
charge of being a fugitive from Italian
justice to the effect that the young pris-
Oner's breakdown of yesterday had been
followed by night OF sleeplessness. with
frequent spells when the youth seemed to
lose control of himself and q break int O
SObS and means.
His condition today was considered
worse than last night, when Warden Sui
Ivan sent in a hurry call for physicians
to come to the jail, fearing that Charlton
would become violent
Already Charlton has been examined
by the group OF alienists engaged by his
father, Judge Paul Charlton, to determine
his mental state. and DR.. w. j. Arlitz
who saw the prisoner when he was in his
state OF collapse, declared himself con-
firmed in the opinion he had previously
expressed that Charlton Was suffering
from form of dementia-
May Hurry Anenists.
The other aIienists had indicated that
they would take their time in examining
Charlton and rendering their opinion. but
his collapse and the advices from Italy
regarding the extradition application are
thought likely TO influence a hastened
completion Of the examination and a
sDeedIer decision.
One account OF the examination OF
Charlton Yesterday says that with his
Jepulsed the effort of DIR. Arlitz to in
ferrogate him about the murder OF his
wife Charlton had not slept since Sat-
uroay. II was declared, when. amid sObs.
shouts and laughter, he told how he
fought with his wife. disposed of her body
tn Lake Como and then wandered on
board a steamship.
For an hour the alienist stood before
young Charlton To the questions Dr.
Arhtz asked the self-confessed wife
murderer made incoherent replies. Then
he turned TO his ceilmate, Ulley Burke,
and sought refuge behind him from the
searching gaze OF the insanity expert
In a Shocking Condition.
Charlton is in a shocking condition. -
said DR. Arlitz. Il had to abandon my
plan To continue the examination of
Saturday. He had but one idea, and that
was TO continuereading the Last Days
of Pompeii'
Before DR.. Arlitz arrived the deputy
warden and the keeper who has charge
OF the tier on which Is Cnarlton's cell
talked some OF their prisoner He was
quiet. we'll behaved young man, the
warden said. He slept well last night
and ate good breakfast and a good
reading"
The keeper was asked IL he had ever
seen charlton throw himself on the floor
or had known him TO rave, as described
b. DR.. Arlitz.
DIR. Arlitz says he does. and 1 sup
pose he must" the keeper replied.
But did you ever see him do it?" wa.
asked.
No.. he said. II never saw it,"
How does he seem TO you?'
Keeps to Himself.
Just like any one else. He's quiet and
keeps TO himself. He reads n. It of the
time
You had charge of him last night
didn't you?" was the next question.
Sure" the keeper said
How did he Sleep"
He slept all right. I couldn't see any.
thing wrong with him..
Warden Sullivan said he had not notices