Mr. Gresham to Baron Fava.

No. 20.]

Excellency: Referring to previous correspondence and your oral inquiries relating to the killing of Italian miners near Walsenburg, Colorado, I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter just received from the governor of that State reporting the action thus far taken by its authorities.

Accept, etc.,

W. Q. Gresham.
[Inclosure.]

Governor McIntire to Mr. Gresham.

Sir: Replying to your letter of April 5, I have the honor to say that I have not yet been able to ascertain positively anything further as to the nationality of the three laborers lynched at Walsenburg. I have questioned the district attorney of the proper district, but he was unable to give me more definite information than that [Page 948] which I already had and telegraphed you on March 19. He assured ine that he would gain the information as early as possible and place it at my disposal. In the same consultation with the district attorney the propriety of calling a special term of the district court for the purpose of investigating the lynching was discussed.

It was impossible at that time to arrive at a definite conclusion without an interview with the judge of that district, and since, as I am informed, the judge and district attorney are constantly engaged in other counties of the district. I am assured that as soon as the terms which must be held under the law have been disposed of the judge and district attorney will take up this matter and dispose of it as speedily as possible. The disposition shown by the district attorney and, as I am informed by him, by the judge of the district mentioned, is such that I am satisfied that all necessary measures for the arrest and punishment of the guilty parties will be taken, so far as lies within their jurisdiction. So far everything possible has been done looking to the protection of Italian citizens and to the discovery of the guilty parties.

I have, etc.,

Albert W. McIntire, Governor.