Mr. Gresham to Governor McIntire.
Washington , April 5, 1895.
Sir: In connection with the Department’s letter of to-day inclosing for your information copies of notes from the ambassador of Italy, in relation to the recent lynching of four laborers at Walsenburg, I have now the honor to invite your attention to the following extracts from your telegrams upon that subject, having particular reference to the nationality of the victims. The Department has not yet received the essential evidence upon that point which is necessary for a discussion of the subject with Baron Fava and a correct decision in the premises.
Your telegram of March 13 last asserts that from information received it is probable “that the Italians alleged to have been killed are American citizens, but as to this, I (you) have no positive information.”
Again you say in your telegram of the 4th ultimo, narrating the shooting of the prisoners by the mob, “all Italians except the driver. * * * It is not yet known whether the Italians killed [were] American citizens.”
[Page 947]Your telegram of March 15 informs me that you “have taken steps to ascertain nationality of deceased.”
In one of the 16th ultimo you observe that you “have reliable information that two of the Italians lynched positively had first, and probably second citizenship papers, not known whether Danino was an American citizen. It is asserted that the two prisoners who may have escaped from first attack of mob, had first citizenship papers.”
Your concluding telegram of March 19, says:
It is certain that Vittone and Ronchietto had taken out first papers. Lorenzo Andinino, heretofore called Danino, is probably not an American citizen, but may be. Giacobino, who escaped from first attack, is safe. * * * Gobetto is believed to be safe also. These two men as I (you) am informed, took out first papers.
Under these circumstances it will doubtless occur to you that the Department should be placed immediately in possession of any evidence tending to show the exact political status of each victim at Walsenburg.
The President does not doubt that you have adopted all necessary measures for the arrest and punishment of the guilty parties.
I have, etc.,