Evening journal., 1897-01-23
Our claim. Against Spain.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The president
has sent to the senate, in response to a
resolution. a report of the secretary OF
state, transmitting a list of claims filed in
the department of state by the citizens Of
the United States against Spain for inden-
nifty, the correspondence relating to the
vessel Competitor and the persons claim
ing American citizenship captured there
on, which he deems Is not incompatible
with the public interests to communicate.
The following is the list of claims for
arrest and Imprisonment;
August Bolten, $40, ,0C0; John ID. Ferres,
S25 OOOi w. A. and Louis H. Clean, $50,
600; Walter G.. Dygert, SlOO,OOO; John
Caraballo, $3.50, 49o; Thomas r. Dawley,
500 600; John A. Sewers 5000, 000 Gus
tave Richelieu, "a fair indemnity;"
Adolphus Ferrcs, S25, 600; Adolphe Fcrres,
s25, coo
The document contains a list of about 10
claims for property losses of American
citizens, aggregating $4,000, O0O
The correspondence accompanying re-
lates almost exclusively 60 the Competitor
case. Among the first Of the communica-
tions is a cablegram from Consul General
Williams asking the state department TO
instruct the minister at Madrid to request
the Madrid government to instruct the
captain general to observe strictly the pro
tocol in the trial of the American citizens
found on board the Competitor. With this
request Secretary Olney complied, imme-
diately forwarding the request on the lst
of May, 1896 This is promptly followed
by Mr. Olney with instructions to MIR
Williams to insist upon the trial of prison
ers by the regular marino tribunal
Later, on the Sth of May, Mr.. Williams
informed the secretary of the refusal of
special counsel to the prisoners, saying the
Spanish authorities contended that the
prisoners were outlaws and were tried for
piracy and rebellion and therefore sen
fenced TO death. Later il was stated that
the captain general had consented that the
sentence should not be executed without
the approval Of the Spanish government.
On Aug. z, with regard TO the complaint
Of the Competitor prisoners about the food,
General Woyler informs General Lee that
Americans are the only prisoners who COM
plain and says the complaints are unbound
ed. He also says that the prisoners cannot
be granted any concessions asked for by
the American consul general. On the 3d
of September MIR. Olney cabled Minister
Taylor; The delay of the Spanish govern
ment in deciding the Competitor and Del
gado cases is absolutely unreasonable Call
/ for prompt action and the reasons Justify
/ ing past delay or additional delay If such
/ is asked for
Replying on the Sth of the same month,
Mr. Taylor said, 'Tho minister Of foreign
affairs told me last night confidentially
/ that the Competitor case was actually de
cided, annulling the Judgment and order
ing new trial.
The last communication is dated Dec
/ 10, 1896, from Vice Consul Springer tC
Mr. Rockhill and contains a copy of a let
ter received from Alfred Laborde, master
Of the Competitor, dated at Fort Cahana
Dec II. 1896. The prisoner says nc wa.
ordered to dress in military suit for the
purpose Of being recognized by some one
This he refused 80 do, but when threaten
ed with force he complied in order to avoiS
, brutality