 At the same time as the Pribilof Islands dispute , an outbreak of mob violence in New Orleans became an international incident . After New Orleans police chief David Hennessy led a crackdown against local mafiosi , he was assassinated on October 14 , 1890 . After the alleged murderers were found not guilty on March 14 , 1891 , a mob stormed the jail and lynched eleven of them . Since many of those killed were Italian citizens the Italian minister , Saverio Fava , protested to Blaine . Blaine explained that federal officials could not control how state officials deal with criminal matters , and Fava announced that he would withdraw the legation back to Italy . Blaine and Harrison believed the Italians ' response to be an overreaction , and did nothing . Tensions slowly cooled , and after nearly a year , the Italian minister returned to the United States to negotiate an indemnity . After some internal dispute — Blaine wanted conciliation with Italy , Harrison was reluctant to admit fault — the United States agreed to pay an indemnity of $ 25 @,@ 000 , and normal diplomatic relations resumed . 
