The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-09
INDEMNITY FROM SPAIN.
A RESOLUTION FROM THE SEN
ATE FOREIGN COMMITTEE.
The PRESIDENT Authorized 'to Take Such
Measures AS He May Deem Necessary to
Obtain Indemnity From the Spanish
Government for imprisonment of Two
Americans-An IntiInatjon That Force
Should he Used if Necessary.

Washington, July THE senate COM
mittee on foreign relations today,
through Senator Lodge, reported res
Olution authorizing the president ito
take such measures as he may deem
necessary to obtain indemnity from the
Spanish government for the wrongs
and injuries suffered by August Boil
ten, and Gustave Richelieu,two natur-
allied American citizens, byLeason Of
their wrongful arrest by Spanish au-
thOrities at Santiago de Cuba in the
year 1885"
The resolution further authorizes the
president 'to employ such means or
exercise such power as may be neces-
sary." The resolution is based upon
the disclosures made in correspondence
forwarded to the senate by the presi-
dent last April in which it is made to
appear, according to the preamble Of
the resolution reported today by Sena
tor Lodge, that " all the diplomatic ef
forts Of the government Of the United
States eXerted for an amlca bic ADJUST
ment and payment of just indemnity
have proved entirely unavaling."
The resolution reported today is con-
sidercd by the members of the com
mittec an important step and is con-
strucd as another intimatiOn from the
committee that force should, if necess
airy be used in protecting Americans in
cuba. In presenting the resolution,
Senator Lodge submitted a written re-
port, from which it appears that Boil
ten is a native of Sweden, and Rich
lieu of France, though both are natur-
allied Americans. They are sailors and
had drftcd to Port au Prince, Hayti,
from New York. Armed with passports
as Americans, on February >, 1895, they
set out in a small open boat belonging
to I}Olten to fish for green turtle, in
tending to drift to Cape Haitien. They
were driven by stress of weather to the
Cuban coast From this point the re-
port proceeds:
"TempOrary landings were affected
at one or two points and finally, al
most destitute of food and water and
after drifting for several days, they
reached Santiago de cuba. The tes-
timOny diSClOSeS that they at once
produced their papers for inspection to
the captain of the port, explained their
distress and asked to be directed to the
United States consul. Notwithstanding
these admitted facts, they were seized
by the military authorities on February
23rd, and thrown into a prison from
which they were not released until May
2rd following. During this impriSOn-
mcnt both men We're kept in close con-
fncmcnt much of the time and both
suffered great injury to health. Bolten
contracted yellow fever"
The committee expresses the opinion
that the seizure of the men is in viola
tiOn of article of the Spanish -Ameri-
can treaty of 1875 and that the military
proceedings against them violated the
protocol Uf 1871. in view of the fact that
upon their apprehension a most rigid
search failed to disclose upon them
arms. papers, or other evidence of un-
lawful intent.
"I}oIteu and Richelieu," the report
concludes, have each asked for an in
demnity Of &1OO0G form the Spanish
government. \ 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 de-
clined to discuss any further the pres
enJ claims. considering the incident to
hr definitely ended In view of the
above. the committee is of the opinion
that it is the manifest duty of the
United States to take such prompt
measures as shall be adequate to OBJ
tain an indemnity for all wrongs and
injuries suffered by the two American
sailors