The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-08
WRONGS OF AMERICANS
The Spanish Government Utterly Ignores
Just Claims for Indemnity.
STRONG RESOLUTIONS IN THE SENATE
Cnsc of Roltcn ana Rtchclieu. who
Wc.e Arrested ana Imprisoned
Under InNcfcnSible circumstances
-rrcnsy ObIisutioms F,usrnntIy
Violated.
Washington, D. c., July Z, 1897,

The Senate Committee on Foreign Re-
iations to-day, through Senator Lodge
IepoIted ch resolution authorizing the
lreSiucnt TO take such measures us he
may deem necessary to obtain iudem-
nifty from the Spanish Government for
the wrongs and injuries; suffered by An
gust Boltcn and GuStavc RichclielI, Two
naluralizcd American citizens by rea-
son OF their wrongful arrest 10y Span
lsn authorities at Santiago de Cuba in
the year 1895.
The resolution further authorities the
President "to employ such means or cx :
erclse such power as may be necessary"
Ine resolution Is based upon the dis
closures made III correspondence for
Walded to tho Senate by the President
rsGst April IN which it Is made TO appear
according ITO the preamble OF the rcso.
luton reported to-day by Senator Lodge,
that "all the diplomatic efforts of the
government or the United States exert
ed Tor an nmicaDlc adjustment and pay
rnent OF 4 just indemnity lWlve proved
entirely unaVailinE.
The resolution reported to-day Is con-
sidered by members OF the committee
an important step, and is construed as
another intimution from the commit :
tee that force should. If necessary, be
used In protecting Americans in Cuba.
IN presenting the resolution Mr.. Lodge
submitted written report from which
It appears that ISoltcn is IL native OF
sweden. and Richelicu of France though
Doth are naturalzcd Americans. They
were sailors and had drifted to Port
Au Prince. iLayti, from New York
Armed with passports as Americans on
February s. 1895, they set out In az small
open boat belonging to BOlten to fish
Tor green turtle, intending to DRIFT to
Cape Haiten. They were driven by
stress OF weather to the Cuban coast.
From his point The report proceeds:
In, n ,,t...
one or two points and finally. almost
destitute Of food and water, and after
drifting for several days they reached
Santiago de Cuba. The testimony dis
closes that they 1T once produced their
| papers for inspection to the captain of
asked to be directed to the United States
Consul. Notwithstanding these adj
United facts they We're seized by the
military authorities on February 23d
and thrown into a prson. from which
they were not released until May Sd fol-
lowing. During this Imprisonment both
| men were kept in close confinement
much Of the time and both suffered gren,
Injury To health. Boltcn contracted yel-
low fever"
The committee expresses the opinion
! that the seizure OF the men IS in Vinla-
| lion OF Article $. of the Spanish -Ameri-
can treaty Of l795, and tirat the military
proceedings against them viola ted the
| protocol oL 1877, in view Of the fac,
that upon their apprehension a. most
| rigid search failed TO disclose upon tIenl
either arms or papers or other evidences
| OF unlawful intent.
'Boltcn and Eichelieu." the report
concludes, "havc each asked for an In
dclnnty oC $4,000 from The Spanish Gov
crnmcnt. y settlement OF the claim has
been urged upon SPAIN through the
proper diplomatic channels Of our Gov
prnmSnt This effort has been prarti
caliy unaVailinG and the Spanish Gov
crnnent has distinctly declined to dis.
cuss any further the present claims
considering the incident to be definitely
ended. III view Of the above, the com
mittce Is Of the onini,Rl that 1t is the
| manifest duty OF the United States tc
take such prompt measures as shall be
adequate to obtain an Indemnity for al
wrongs and injuries suffered by the two
American sailors"