Utalian Minister's Dramatic Visit to Canton for Compensation Puos Ove Owe Connesrostest Canton, Apr. 18, 'The recent visit of Signor Vare the Italian Minister to' demand compensation for the murder of Bishop Versiglia.and Father Cara Vane occasioned something of a sensation in Canton, When Signor Vare telegraphed! that he was coming up to the Kuangtung capital on an Italian gunboat, the Sebastian Cabot, companied by his daughter, Gov ernor Chen Ming-chu got ready give the Minister a royal welcome. This was last Monday a suite Youms was reserved at the New: Asia Hotel, a car placed at the Yisitor's disposal, anda programme! of receptions and banquets. tentatively made up.
Asked by radio whether the visit was to be taken as an official one het, the answer came that it was left to the Kuangtung authorities to decide what form the reception should take, but in Italy it. was the custom to salute a" Minister with 17. guns Unquestionably it was to be inferred, then, that this. was an official call, Forts and whips of war were given their orders: colours were to be dipped 280 the proper salute given the Mahan Minister, and the. programme was made more elaborate than ever. 'The banquet hall. the Provincial Government Touse was made ready, and cards of in-Nitation sent out. A number of he invited were to be ladies, wives of Kuangtung officials, to. a hostesses since the' Minister's laughter would grace the festive beard, Unexpectedly on Friday the 11th the Sebastian Cabot dropped anchor off Shameen, and the' Gove cines aide, went aboard to. welcome; the distinguished visitor on dehalé of General Chen Minguchus The Minister, it was for the first time disclosed, objected to Miss Vare: taking part in any official reception. So there was nothing left to do but cancel the invitations that had been iting on ceremony, shortly thereafter the Minister ar: rived at the Provincial Government or: At once, He had most im-House, and demanded to se¢ General
int "business to discuss with the Governor, and it could not wait. Having over-exerted himself hors back riding, General Chen had had to take to his bed. "You say I ¢annot see the Governor? Well, then, gentlemen, I id you good day! Twill not be at your lun '<heon," and turning on his heel the Minister marched out of the buildimg.
Rather than have a further scene, secretary followed the retreating figure, and persuaded Signor Vare to call upon Governor Chen Ming-at his residence. Sick as he was, with a temperature of 104, the head of the provincial government game downstairs to receive the Minister, and marvellous to relate, "heard all that he had to say with: out losing his temper.
The Italian Government demands $100,000 indemnity for the murder by bandits of the Italian Archbishop Shiuchow, Mgr, Versiglia and Father Cavavario, And the local government was called to task for having let the bandits commit so austardly a crime, The Soft Answer What is right shall be done, ex-Blained the Governor, and when the National Government makes nown what form the settlement of his unfortunate incident shall take, no matter whether it directs that. Kuangtung shall pay $100,000 or any other sum, the Provincial Government will certainly comply with the request without loss of time. But this is a diplomatic question, ud it is not within the province of sib, quanetane, Governor to dear with it, It is a matter that must be handled directly by the Foreign Ministry at Nanking.
As to the other point, that of the Kuangtung Government's respon ability for bandits running at large the district where the two Italian missionaries were murdered, General Chen confessed that banditry 4 rife in the south country at present. 'The troops are nearly-all away' fighting in Kuangsi, and it is im-'Possible to keep conditions normal While they are absent, Yet, had the
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