The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-30
STURM's CLAIM.
The Grounds on Which He Asks the Govern :
ment to Assume Its Payment.
Special to the indianapolis Journal

| The Grounds on Which He Asks the Govern :
ment to Assume Its Payment
| Special to the indianapolis Journal.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 29-The claim of Gen
eral Herman Sturm, OF indianapolis, which
has before been referred to in these dis
| patches, is for 100000. In his statement,
| which has been submitted to Congress- Cen
eral Sturm says: 81 submitted my claim to
the American and Mexican claims commits
sion, in 1872 and in March, 1876 the COM
missioners having disagreed, the umpire held
that that the wrong complained of could not
be ciassed among such injuries to the per-
sons or property of citizens of the United
States by the authorities of the Mexican re-
public as was intended by the convention of
July 4, 1868, and the award was that my
claim be dismissed. / was thus deprived of
the remedy which believe was provided by
that treaty, and am compelled to either ask
the settlement of my claim directly
from the Mexican republic, and ask
the aid of the United States in
obtaining any redress, or to ask that my own
government shall pay me for the losses
haFe incurred by reason of treaty which
hat deprived me of the power of collecting
mi debts from the government Of Mexico,
anF which thus virtually assumed their
payment. Icannot believe that my own
government would close the door of the
treaty against my indisputable claim against
Foreign government without rendering
itslf liable for the amount which is Justly
due to me. If the United States government
has said to Mexico, in the treaty of 1868, that
nc claims for any matters arising out of this
contract shall be preferred against that repub-
licby our citizens then it would seem that
it has assumed them, and should provide for
thsir adjustment and payment. At no time
inthe transaction of this business did l di-
yest myself of my nationality or in the re-
mhtest degree become citizen OF Mexico. l
claim the protection and the powerful aid of
M own government in this matter which has
pipved so disastrous to my fortunes, and if
That is refused as against Mexico l will ask
thht the United States government shall pay
the debts which it will not aid me to collect,
ami which, by treaty, it deprives me of the
power of collecting. think l am justified
IN SAYING thHt | did that for the Mexican re-
witbol1 ~n5T wl,ieA no other man nd did "nr. "'.e
the market. guaranteed and paid interest
on a sufficient number for a year to insure
the sale Of a large number With the funds
thus raised | purchased arms. ammunition
and material OF war to the amount of nearly
$2,OOO,0Oe and l procured vessels and trans
ported tiese stores to Mexico | aided in
arousinf an interest in Mexican af- |
fairs IN our country, and contrib |
uted hrsely to drive Macmillan from !
the tirone and reinstate the republic.
l fouid 1t without capital, with its Presi-
dents fugitive in the mountains, without a
dollS in the treasury, without credit in for
highlands without arms to cope with their
arrgant foes, and within short time
larely by my exertions the armies of the
repblc had arms and supplies of the ma
teralfo of war. The empire was oyerthrown
therpublic established, and peace restored
toadistracted people. For my services [
reie to the testimony of the prominent men
OF Iexico and of the United States. and
bel,ve the Mexican minister at Washington
wi bear NE out in all things in the truth of
m!statemnt at this day."
ghe whoe question has been referred to
tie committee on foreign relations to inves-
tgate andeport. !