Mr. MacVeagh to Mr. Gresham.

No. 15.]

Sir: On the 3d instant I sent you the following cablegram:

Delzoppo and Rinaldi found pursuant your cable January 26 and watched, but arrest impossible without warrant. Agent has never appeared with warrant. Italian Government now asks very prompt action as fugitives intend leaving country.

To this I received next day your reply, as follows:

Will Italian Government surrender Delzoppo and Rinaldi upon proof of guilt?

To my inquiry, dated the 4th instant, I this morning received a note from the minister of foreign affairs stating that the Government of the King could never consent to the extradition of its own subjects, but that the authorities were ready on presentation of the necessary documents to arrest and place on trial here Michele Delzoppo and Antonio Rinaldi.

On receipt of this note I to-day cabled you as follows:

Italian Government refuses surrender its subjects, but offers on arrival proof of guilt to arrest and try Delzoppo and Rinaldi here.

I am, etc.,

Wayne Mac Veagh.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 15.]

Mr. Mac Veagh to Baron Blanc.

Your Excellency: On receipt of the note from the ministry for foreign affairs, dated the 2d instant, informing this embassy that Michele Delzoppo and Antonio Rinaldi, two criminals who are wanted in the United States for trial on a charge of murder, were at present under the surveillance of the police, the one at Alexandria and the other at Matrice, I telegraphed my Government as follows:

Delzoppo and Rinaldi found pursuant your cable January 26 and watched, but arrest impossible without warrant. Agent has never appeared with warrant. Italian Government now asks very prompt action as fugitives intend leaving country.

To the above telegram I have received the following reply:

Win Italian Government surrender Delzoppo and Rinaldi upon proof of guilt?

I would be obliged if your excellency would enable me to make an immediate reply to this telegram.

I avail, etc.,

Wayne Mac Veagh.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 15.—Translation.]

Baron Blanc to Mr. Mac Veagh.

Mr. Ambassador: In reply to the esteemed note of your excellency of the 4th instant I have the honor to inform you that the Government of the King could never consent to the delivery in extradition of two of [Page 371] its subjects. The authorities of the Kingdom are ready, as soon as your excellency furnishes me with the necessary documents, to arrest Michele Delzoppo and Antonio Rinaldi and put them on trial.

Accept, Mr. Ambassador, etc.,

Blanc.