The Italian Chargé to the Secretary of State.
Manchester, Mass., July 21, 1906.
Mr. Secretary of State: As a sequence to my previous communications and lastly to the note which I addressed to you the 17th instant, I have the honor to inform your excellency that the royal consul in Philadelphia, Pa., reports to me that a short time after the doleful occurrence which took place at Marion, N. C, on May 14 last, the local justice of the peace (who I am informed is also in the [Page 930] employ of the Carolina company) acquitted the aggressors and the murderers of the Italians, while on the other hand, in confirming the arrest of nine of those unfortunate laborers suspected of the murder, an indictment was brought against them for the crime of conspiracy. The trial will take place at Marion, N. C., the 23d instant.
Judging from what has been repeatedly written by the Italian agents to this embassy, by the voice of public opinion, of which the Sunday News of Charleston, N. C., made itself the interpreter, in the article which appeared in its issue of June 10 last and of which I send you a copy herewith, and by the opinion expressed by the United States district attorney himself, Mr. Holton, to the Italian consular agent at Charleston, N. C., regarding the abnormal condition of affairs which reigns in that district, there is naturally entertained some doubt as to the manner in which the judicial authority of the place took into consideration and still regards the criminal acts on which it has been called upon to give judgment.
While I hasten to recall your excellency’s attention to the circumstances here set forth I again appeal to the high sense of equity and right which animates the United States Government in all its acts, in order that, in the names of sacred rights which apparently are not being respected, it may cause the competent judicial authorities to make a careful examination of the facts and to proceed where necessary to a severe punishment of the crimes perpetrated.
I shall, moreover, be greatly obliged to your excellency if you will have the kindness to procure for me all the reports which may have been made on the question at the instance of the Federal Government, as well as, if possible, a copy of the judicial decrees by which the aggressors were ecquitted and the victims of the aggression were indicted.
Meanwhile, I avail myself, etc.,