The morning news., 1897-07-08
STIFF POLICY TOWARD SPAIN.
Satisfaction to BE Demanded For
Wrongs Done Sailors.

Washington, July 7.-The Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations to-day,
through Senator Lodge, reported a reso-
luton authorizing the President ito take
such measures as he may deem neces-
sary TO obtain indemnity from the Span
ish government for the wrongs and in
juries suffered by August Bolton and
Gustav Richelieu, two naturalized Amer
lean citizens, by reason of their wrongful
arrest by Spanish authorities at Santiago
de Cuba in the year 1895"
The resolution further authorizes the
President "to employ such means or ex-
ercise such power as may be necessary"
The resolution is based upon the dis
closures made in correspondence forward
ed to the Senate by the President last
April, in which it is made to appear, ac-
cordlng to the preamble of the resolution,
reported to-day by Mr.. Lodge that all
the diplomatic efforts of the government
of the United States exerted for an ami
cable adjustment and payment of just
indemnity have proved entirely unavail-
ing.
The resolution to-day is considered by
members of the committee an important
step, and Is construed as another intima-
ton from the committee that force should,
If necessary, be used in protecting Amer
leans in Cuba
In presenting the resolution Mr.. Lodge
submitted a written report, from which
IL appears that Bolten is a native of Swe-
den and Richelieu of France, though both
are naturalized Americans. They were
sailors and had drifted to Port au Prince,
Hayti from New York. Armed with pass
ports as Americans, on Feb. g. 1895, they
set out in a small open boat belonging to
Bolten to fish for green turtle, intending
to drift to Cape Haytien. They were
driven by stress of weather to the Gu
ban coast. From this point the report
proceeds: Temporary landings were ef-
fected at one or two points, and finally
almost destitute of food and water, and
after drifting for several days, they
reached Santiago de Cuba. The testi-
mony discloses that they produced their
papers for inspection 70 the captain of the
port, explaining their distress and asked
to be directed to the United States con-
sui Notwithstanding these admitted
facts, they were seized by the military
authorities on Feb. % and thrown into a
prison, from which they were not released
until May following. During this i'm
prisonment both men were kept in close
confinement much of the time, and both
sua bred great injury. Bolten contracted
yellow fever"
The report expresses the opinion that
the seizure of the men Is in violation Of
article of the spanlsh-American treaty
of 1895, and that the military proceedings
against them violated the protocol of 1877.
in view of the fact that upon apprehen-
sion most rigid search failed to disclose
upon them either arms or other evidence
of unlawful intent. "Bolten and Richie
lieu," the report concludes, have asked
for an indemnity of $4,000 from the Span
ish government. A settlement of the
claim has been urged upon Spain through
the proper diplomatic channels of our gov
ernment. This effort has been practically
unavailing and the Spanish government
has distinctly declined 10 discuss any fur
ther the present claims, considering the
incident to be 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 obtain
an indemnity for all wrongs and injuries
suffered by the two American sailors"