Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-07
Spain Must Give Indemnity for NAL
treating Americans.
RESOLUTION REPORTED TO TIE SENATE
The President Authorized to Take
Requisite Measures.
VIOLATION OF THE TREATY

The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions today, through Senator Lodge, re-
ported a resolution authorizing the Presi-
dent to take such measures as he may
deem Lecessa-y to obtain indemnity from
the Spanish government for the wrongs
and injuries suffered by August Bolten and
Gustave Richelieu, two naturalized Ameri-
can citizens, by reason of their wrongful
arrest by Spanish authorities at Santiago
de Cuba in the year 1885,
The resolution further authorizes the
President Ito employ such means or ex-
ercise such power as may be necessary.
The resolution is based upon the dis
closures made in correspondence forwarded
to the Senate by the President last April,
In which it is made to appear, according
to the preamble of the resolution reported
today by Senator Lodge, that "all the dip
lomatic efforts of the government of the
United States exerted for an amicable sd
justment and payment of just indemnity
have proved entirely unavailing.'
Force If Necessary.
The resolution reported today is con-
sidered by members of the committee an
important step, and is construed as another
intimation from the committee that force
should, if necessary, be used in protecting
Americans in Cuba.
In presenting the resolution Mr.. Lodge
submitted written report, from which ii
appears that Bolten is a native Of Sweden
and Richelieu of France, though both are
naturalized Americans. They were sail
ors and had drifted to Port au Prince
Hayti, from New York. Armed with pass
ports as Americans on February 3, 1888
they set out In small open boat belonging
to Bolten to fish for green turtle, intend
ing to drift to Cape Haitien. They were
driven by stress of weather to the Cuban
coast From this point the report pro-
ceeds:
Temporary landings were affected a,
one or two points and finally, almost des-
titute of food and water, and after drift
ing for several days. they reached San
tiago de Cuba. The testimony discIoses
that they at once produced their papers for
inspection to the captain of the port, ex-
planned their distress and asked to be di-
rected to the United States consul. Not
withstanding these admitted facts, they
were seized by the military authorities on
February 23 and thrown into prison. from
which they were not released until May !
following. During this Imprisonment both
men were kept in close confinement much
of the time and both suffered great injury
to health. Bolten contracted yellow fever. u
Violating the Treaty.
The committee expresses the opinion
that the seizure of the men Is in violation
Of article Of the Spanish-American treaty
of 1875, and that the military proceedings
against them violated the protocol of 1877
In view of the fact that upon their appre-
hension a most rigid search failed to dis
close upon them either arms or papers OIL
other evidence Of unlawful intent.
"Bolten and Richelieu,'' the report con-
cludes. have each asked for an indemnity
of $4,000 from the Spanish government
A settlement of the claim has been urged
upon Spain through the proper diplomatic
channels of our government. This effort
has been practically unavailing, and the
Spanish government has distinctly declined
to discuss any further the present claims
considering the incident to- be definitely
ended In view Of the above the commit
tee is of the opinion that 1t Is the manifest
duty Of the United States to take such
prompt measures as shall be adequate to
obtain an indemnity for all wrongs and in
Juries suffered by the two American sail
ors,"