The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-15
SPAIN MUST MAKE AMENDS.
Her Delays in the COMPETITOR Case 10
Longer to be Tolerated.
The SENATE COMMITTEES REPORT
Empowers the President TO Use such
Means ~ May be Necessary to secure
the Release OF the Csptivcs and the
Restitution of the Vessel.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. July N.-Sena-
tor Davis, chairman OF the Committee OIL
Foreign Relations. to-day reported from
the committee the following resolution:
That the President be empowered to
take such measures as. in his judgment.
may be necessary TO obtain the release
from the Spanish Government OF Ons
Melton. Alferd %. Laborde. and William
Glider. and the restoration OF the schoon-
er Competitor 10 her owner. and 10 se-
cure this. he is authorized and requested
to employ such means or exercise such
power as may be necessary.
The report recites ali the facts that
have been brought out In the Competitor
case. her ownership. capture. and citi-
zenship OF the three men named in IN,
resolution, together with the proceedings
thus far had by the spanish authorities.
the tral. sentence. etc.
MOCKERY or \ TRIAL.
The report characterizes II a 'moCAcry
of a trial" The affidavits OF the parties
are cited 10 show that they were CO.
creed into Spanish waters. In which case
they were not amcnable TO Spanish Ju-
risdictiOn. They were not subject to
piracy. and intended no act OF depreda-
tion on the high seas, nor were they sub
ject TO the Spanish authorities on account
OF alleged rebellion"
The report then says: irrespective OF
any foregoing considerations the cOn-
duct of Spain as herelnbefore detailed
constitutes such delay and denial OF JUS
tlce and such an actual innction OF In.
justice upon these men as TO make ii this
duty of this Government 10 demand re-
paration therefor. Irrespective of any act
which these prisoners may have com
mitted up TO the date of their capture.
Secretary Evarts is quoted 10 sustain
this position. The report declares that
the rights OF the men have been violated
and continues:
They have been tried and sentenced 10
death by a summary court marshal In
proceeding which has been annulled by
the Appellate Courts OF Madrid, upon the
ground that such court martial had no
jurisdiction whatever over them. Ten
months have elapsed since this death
sentence was annulled and they have
not again been brought TO trial. In Tho
meantime they have been subjected tc
protracted preliminary examinations pre-.
paratory TO trial by another court martial
which Is probably 10 be more formal thar
the first one.
HELD AS PRISONERS.
with the protests made 10y the pris.
oners. the report proceeds the trial end
ed and the defendants were sentenced To
death. lt is now fourteen months since
they were arrested. during which time
they have been held I'm the Caban1s fort
resses as prisoners. Melton and Laborde
are unquestonably citizens OF the United
States. Glider is British subject. but
he was a sailor upon an American vessel
when taken was acting as its mate, and
1t is the opinion Of your committee that
he is entitled TO be protected by this
government. He was serving under the
flag and he is entiued 10 be- protected
under It.
In our opinion. these acts OF delay OF
Justice and of the intlictiOn of injustice.
vitiate and make void any right which
Spain had i'm the beginning OF this trans
action 10 proceed criminally against any
Of these men. This government should
demand that they be set at liberty and
that the Competitor he restored TO her
owners as there is no evidence that the
owner knew anything about the diver
gence OF the vessel from It's regular yoy-
age TO Lemon city, Fla.