New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-08
TO DEMAND AN INDEMNITY.
PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS
IN CUBA.
REPORT on THE CASES OF BoLTEN AND
RICHELIEU MADE BY THE FOREIGN REl-A-
TIoNs COMMITTEE-IT IS THOUGHT
TO FOREsHApOw PRESIDENT
M'KINI,EY'S POLICY
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO rRIBUSE.I
Washington. July IAN extremely important
report was made to the Senate to-day by Its Com
mittec on Foreign Relations which In measure
may be said to foreshadow the policy to be pur-
sued by the Administration hereafter with refer-
ence TO tn. protection Of American citizens In
Cuba 1T will be our aim." said President NC
Kiney In his Inaugural Address. Ito pursue
Arm and digniied foreign policy, which shall be
Just. impartial ever watchful Of our Nationai
honor and always insisting upon the ENFORCE
ment Of the lawful rights Of American citizens
everywhere" That lust. impartial. ever
watchful" policy will find in the Senate all the
support II needs. and the lawful rights OF Amer
ican citizens everywhere" will be vindicated at
any cost.
Senator Lodge as the mouthpiece OF the Com
mttee on Foreign Relations reported resoiu-
ton to-day authorizing the President to take
such measures as he may deem necessary 70 oo-
tain indemnity from the Spanish Government
for the wrongs and injuries suffered by August
Bolten and Gustave Richeleu, TWO haturah|eo
American citizens. by reason OF their wrongful
arrest by Spanish authorities at santiago ue
cuba in rho vear 1895" The resolution further
autbor,zes the President ito employ such means
or exercise such power may be neces '1ry.
II is unnecessary TO comment on the serious
ross ~ tho resolution Nor can it be said to have
been reported in haste or without due oehoera-
tion II Is based. in fact, on disclosures "aoe
in documents forwarded 10 the Senate as long
AGO as April last In these documents IL Is maue
TO appear. according II the preampie Oh '"e
resolution that "all the diplomatic eHorts vi
the Government Of the United states eXerte1
for an amioabe adjustment and payment OF
Just indemnity have proved entirely unavaiiine'
Senator Lodge accompanied the presentation
Of the resolution by the submission or written
report from which it appears that Bolten Is d
native of Sweden and Richel'eu or FRANCE
though both are naturalized Americans. Armed
with passports as Americans. on Fepruary D.
1895 they set cut in a small open boat belong
ing to Bolten to fish for green turtle. intending
to drift to Cape Haitien. They were driven by
stress of weather to the Cuban coast. FROM this
point the report proceeds:
Temporary landings were effected at one or two
points. and dnaiiy, almost destitute. of food OF
water. and after drifting for several days they
closes that they at once produced their papers
for inspection to the captain Of the port sxplan,ssC
United States Consul Notwithstanding these ad
mitted facts. they were seized by the military au
from which they were not released until May fol
lowing. During this imprisonment both men were
kept In close confinement much OF the time, anc
both suffered great injury to health Bolten con
tracted yellow fever.
The committee expressed the opinion that the
seizure of the men is In violation of Article VIII
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 or
their apprehension most rigid search failed tc
disclose on them either arms or papers or other
evidence OF unlawful intent.
"J2oltap ard Rchelieu" tho repOrt concludes
have each asked for an indemnity Of SlOOW
from the Spanish Government settlement OF
the claim has been urged upon Spain through
the proper diplomatic channels Of our Govern
ment This effort has been practically unavail'
ing 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 committee Is
Of the opinion that 1t is the manifest duty OF
the United States to take such prompt meas
ures as shall be adequate to obtain an indemnity
for all wrongs and injuries suffered by the two
American sailors.
There is little doubt that the Senate will adopt
the resolution.