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Show DEHJATIOX OF Oil Eighteen American' Seized by tho Italian Government to be Held as Hostages, FATA DEHAND3 HIS PASS I0ET, Secretary Elaine Refuses to Say a 011! About the Matter An Act of Open Hostility, Washington, March 31. It Is re ported that eighteen American citizens have been siezed and imprisoned ill Koine to be held as hostages. Secretary lilai no has just been seen by tho reporter and absolutely refuse to say one word. Iinrou Fra Remllfrt. Karon Fava has presented to state) department his recall by the Italian, government and has demanded his ' passport. T he government is greatly : surprised because it was wholly unsus- ; peeled and because tho investigation, into thu New Orleans matter is not' completed. The reason for recall is "Tho King of Italy is dissatisfied with' the adjustment between the two couc- tries in regard to tho New Orleans-1 massacre." This action can be constructed in no j other way than as an act of open hostil-1 ity on the part of tho Italian govern- j merit to tho United States, with whirl j it has heretofore been on friendly! terms. No JtAmoDi Given. It is now reported around tho stat: department that it was at Florence)) that the eighteen Americans were' thrown into prison instead of at Rome, J as at first, reported. It is also said that"1 others have suffered the same fafe in : Caly and in all cases tlio Caly official ; refused to give the impr isoned person any reasons for their arrest. Nothing Onirlul Yet, Tho situation is so new and serious, that no official comments can be obtained ob-tained at this hour from any source there must be time for the administration administra-tion to think. Barring tlio two hours cabinet session of today it as yet has! had litflo or no opportunity to consider ' the facts in the case. Secretary Bhino, it is stated, will make an official announcement of Baron, Fava' s recall. 1'ossibly it will contain tho views of this government, but in tho meantime the linron's pleasant personal relations with, the statet department and the country will bave been severed. It is doubtful whether in ' " view of the extraordinary1 eircumstan cos of tho recall there will bo any formalities at the White House, usual upon such occasion. Indeed, when this alTair is looked at from the distance of time, it will appear to have beer, very much hurried. Kloholla' Latter Camed It. The letter from Governor Nicholls to Secretary Blaine caused tho trouble. It was received here several days ago, aud a copy was sent at once o Baron Fava. This course gave it the appearance of being the ultimatum of the government, and it appears that tho baron accepted it as such ami cabled it in that character to his government. |