the parties to the quarrel would have welcomed any kindly
expression of the hope of the American people that war might be averted,
good offices would have been gladly tendered. The United States
representative at Pretoria was early instructed to see that all neutral
American interests be respected by the combatants. This has been an easy
task in view of the positive declarations of both British and Boer
authorities that the personal and property rights of our citizens should
be observed.

Upon the withdrawal of the British agent from Pretoria the United States
consul was authorized, upon the request of the British Government and
with the assent of the South African and Orange Free State Governments,
to exercise the customary good offices of a neutral for the care of
British interests. In the discharge of this function, I am happy to say
that abundant opportunity has been afforded to show the impartiality of
this Government toward both the combatants.

For the fourth time in the present decade, question has arisen with
the Government of Italy in regard to the lynching of Italian subjects.
The latest of these deplorable events occurred at Tallulah, Louisiana,
whereby five unfortunates of Italian origin were taken from jail and
hanged.

The authorities of the State and a representative of the Italian Embassy
having separately investigated the occurrence, with discrepant results,
particularly as to the alleged citizenship of the victims, and it not
appearing that the State had been able to discover and punish the
violators of the law, an independent investigation has been set on foot,
through the agency of the Department of State, and is still in progress.
The result will enable the Executive to treat the question with the
Government of Italy in a spirit of fairness and justice. A satisfactory
solution will doubtless be reached.

The recurrence of these distressing manifestations of blind mob fury
directed at dependents or natives of a foreign country suggests that
the contingency has arisen for action by Congress in the direction
of conferring upon the Federal courts jurisdiction in this class of
international cases where the ultimate responsibility of the Federal
Government may be involved. The suggestion is not new. In his annual
message of December 9, 1891, my predecessor, President Harrison, said:

It would, I believe, be entirely competent for Congress to make offenses
against the treaty rights of foreigners