The Washington times., 1913-12-27

Inc strange persecution OF tHe AHicfi-
can singer. Miss Dorothea Macvane. a
daughter of Silas Marcus Macvane, pro-
fessor emeritus of Harvard University.
by the naval authorities Of Italy, who
for several weeks kept her under sur
yeillance at Taranto, and subjected her
to indignities, in the belief that she was
q spy, Is explained in a letter written
on December 5 from Rome by Miss
Edith Macvane, the novelist, a sister of
Dorothea.
In her lettcr, which was written more
than a week before her sister was set
right in the eyes Of the Italian naval
authorities by the Intervention of Am
bassador Thomas Nelson Page, Miss
Edith Macvane says that the cruel or
deal which her sister was then under
going was the revenge Of an Italian
navalt ofacer whose suit she had re-
fused.
On representations OF, the American
ambassador that the authorities at
laramie were mistaken In suspecting
the young woman Of being a Spy. Adj
miral MILL the Italian minister. of ma
rtne, telegraphed on December II an
order to the police Of laramie not to
molest Miss Macvane further. Even
after that. It appears from dispatches
received yesterday, Miss MacYane was
not left in peace. She complained yes
terday to the police Of laramie that at
tempts had been made to blackmail her,
and she asked the arrest Of an Italian
journalist accused Of demanding 1900
for the suppression of defamatory
article about her.
Sisters Story Of Persecution.
Miss Edith Macvanes letter, which
was received yesterday by the New
York Times, 10 as follows:
Via Angelo Brunetti 4s,
Rome. Italy, Dec.
Dear Sir: May / ask you to give
space to the outrage now being per-
petrated on Dorothea Macvane,
daughter Of Prof. Emeritus 8. M.
A4acyane. Of Harvard University,
the we,i-known authority on interna-
Some weeks ago my sister, Doro-
thea. went to laramie, the great
Italian naval station. to sing with a
grand opera company Lucia" Bar
6iers" etc. At first all went well.
Ihen for the past week We had TO
maker.
The letters had been sent under
cover for me from my sister, who
tells US her correspondence has been
intercepted, and she for some days
the story the letters tell:
Hy an Italian naval officer who
fell In love with her and whom she
refused she has been denounced to
the naval authorities there as a po-
slcai hsaa ,nT Spy; Her correspondence has
vate boxes have been continually,
searched: when she goes out she is
followed by shadow" a police
spy. who stays not five feet away.
popuiace insult her as agueila dom
na'-"that woman" She Is under
continual observation from the min
lister OF marine In Rome, and her
every move is telegraphed here.
At the same time she &C nnot leave
. Taranto and return hero to the
house Of her family in Rome. be-
cause she has been warned that IL
she attempts to get away she may
be arrested at the station. Her dis
me In much agitation. For two days
. she has not eaten: her distress is
such that her stomach will not retain
food. She fears for her personal
safety. She fears also that she may
be ordered to leave Italy, where We
are established in q house, and where
she must stay to make her career
IL she is to get any good from her
long years OF study. To leave Italy
and start her career all over again
in Germany would be an impossi-
sible step. At the same time, how
stay in italy II the italian govern
ment Is permitted to treat her In this
way, as a female spy. that foulest
type Of adventures, a cncotte and
traitress?
Letters Intercepted.
Poor Dorothea, the type of a re-
fined American girl OF honorable FAM
fly is crushed by the horror of 1t.
'"They think my hands are covered
not only 7ith kisses. but with blood"
she writes to me.
In the meantime my father, Prof.
Macvane. Is extremely Ill. ! can
not tell him Of the situation in which
Dorothea is. I cannot even write her
tercepted. Our friend Prince Orstni
has kindly given us the address Of
friend of his In laramie to whom
may send my letters to my sister and
who will convey them to her. Thus
cnly may I communicate with my
sister. l cannot go to her because
my father is i'll. She cannot come
home because of her contract and
because the police would arrest her
to be prosecuted and lnsulted end I
under constant threat Of violence
and Of arrest.
I now go to see our Ambassador.