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Fondosure!.
COPY
R. CONSOLATO GENERALE D'ITALIA
:
20501 357 357
RECO
REG MAY 16
Sir.
CANTON.
3rd. March, 1916.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your
despatch (particulars in margin) which I have been unable to answer before owing to an attack of influenza. I am quite willing, if you like, to submit my despatch to the Foreign Office in Rome.
Unfortunately you seem to take a one-sided view
2.
and to disregard the feelings of others. As at the same time you probably ignore the nature of the feelings of the Italian people, I think it fair to explain some circumstances. Even the lowest clas -es in Italy are very sensitive about their dignity and honour, in fact they are ever ready to freely give and take life for their protection. The suspicions of the Hongkong Government imply accusations especially repugnant to the Italian character. If you had been able to substantiate one of your suspicions, it would
have been considered a shame and a disgrace. As on the other hand time and facts have shown that you have suspected on slight or no foundation, that even high Italian officials whose position, intern -ational standing and reputation should have rendered suspicion impossible, have been suspected without cause, it is natural that strong indignation should be felt. You who kindly allude to the "Noble Italian Nation" should understand that these sentiments
must exist and are justifiable, and moreover our alliance would
not be worth having if we had not such sentiments.
Personally I may add that if I have refrained from
pressing for satisfaction for the gross insults offered to me on the 26th August 1915, it has been due to the fact that I considered
that personal questions should not obtrude on the terrible drama being enacted in Europe, in which our Countries have engaged.
I have, &c.,
mourable Claud Severn
(SD.)
Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.
Z. Volpicelli.
Consul General for Italy.
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