Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1891 — DOES THIS MEAN WAR? [ARTICLE]

DOES THIS MEAN WAR?

Baron Fava Demands His Passports Fom Mr. Blaine. Open Hostility on the Part of the ItgU— Government—Americans Held as Hogtage*,. „ , Washington, March, 31.—Baron Fava has presented to the State Department his recall by the Italian Government and has demanded his passports. The Department is greatly surprised because it was wholly unsuspected and because the investigation into the New Or leans matter is not completed. The reason for Recall is, “The King of Italy is dissatisfied with the progress of the adjustment between the two countries in regard to the New Orleans massacre.”’ Thisaction can be' construed into no other Why than an act of open hostility on the partof the Italian go vernment to the United States, with which it has herctotofore been on friendly terms. AMERICANS HELD AS HOSTAGES. It is reported that eighteen American citizens have been seized and imprisoned in Rome to be held as hostages. The Evening Star gives this account o f the affair: Baron Fava, the Italian minister, presented a formal document to the State Department authorities this morning which surprised them considerably. It was none other than a letter announc rung that he desired his passports to Italy, having been recalled from his diplomatic post in this country by his own government. The reason given was that “the King of Italy was dissatisfied with the progress of adjustments between the two countries touching the New Orleans mas sacre.”

In consequence of this feeling on the part of his government, Baron Fava felt compelled to withdraw from the countryleaving the Marquis Imperial, Secretary of Legation, in charge of current affairs. The Baron's passports, of course, wil be given to him at once. The situation is so new and serious that no official comments can be obtained at this hour from any source. ...7 ; . 7 There must be time for the administration to think, and, barring a two hours. Cabinet session to-day, it has as yet had little or no opportunity to digest the facts in a calm manner. Secretary Blaine, it is stated, will mako an official annouucemen of Baron Fava’s recall possibly containing the views of this Government to-morrow but in the meantime the Baron's pleasant personal relations with the State Department and this country will have been severed. It is doubtful whether, in view of the extraordinary circumstances of the recall' there will be the formalities at the White House usual upon such an occasion as the departure of a minister. Indeed, when this affair is looked at from a distance of time it will appear to have been very much hurried. The letter from Governor Nicholls to Secretary Blaine caused the trouble. It was received here several days ago, and a copy was at once sent to Baron Fava. This, of course, gave it. the appearance of being the ultimatum of this Government, and it appears that the Baron accepted it as sugh and cabled it in that character to his government. Baron Fava has worked for liislibmelh-” terests to the degree of appearing over zealous at this end of the line, bu t to-day's developements would indicate that there could not have been too much zeal on his part to suit his government, which appears to have made the matter an issue of the highest importance. Those commenting on the surprising event of the day agree that to break away | from this'government is"iyjt7 merelyan act |

of discourtesy but of open hostility to have done it pending the investigations and progress of the law in New Orleans, The action is Significant, it is said of an -utter Tttsrcgtmr or ■ThrTsstwramnsnror and ethics of modern diplomacy. Indeed, in that light, the Government now lias logical reason for feeling affronted at this lack of faith in its assurances on the part of its hot-headed neighbor. It will probably turn out that the Italian government lias acted very hastily in this matter and has unnecessarily involved the two nations in a serious difficulty. The State Department liasnot yet ceased the investigation into the. lynching, and it has not yet fully developed whether or no 1 the men killed were Italian subjects. The •proper course would have been, it is said, for the question of the citizenship of the men killed to have been settled first and then for some sort of arbitration. By this action on the part of Italy the United States had been cut oil right in the'middle of the investigation, and it is thought treated in anything but a courteous man" er. REITERATION OF THE HOSTAGE STORY. It is reported in newspaper clrcles that’ news has been received in Washington to the effect that in retaliation for the New Orleans lynching, eighteen American citizens have been seized at Florence and cast into prison, and that similar seizures have occurred in other parts of Italy. Wasaington, D. C. March 31.—Secretary Blaine has just been seen by an Associated Press reporter and absolutely refuses to say one word. Italy cables a more pacific and reasonable letter on the 2d, anti it is hardly likely under the improved condition of things, that serious trouble will come of it.