The evening times., 1900-01-26

Senator Lodge. from the COMMITTEES on
Foreign Relations. has presented a favor
able report on the claims Of August Boil
ten and Gustave Richelieu FOR an indemEi-
ty Of $4,000 each from the Spanish Gov
ernment.
These men. who are naturalized Ameri-
can citizens. set out in small open boat
about fifteen feet long from Port au Prince
on February 5, 1895. Their object was 20
( fish for green turtles. and. with this in
view. they intended to sail up as Far as
Cape Haitien Both men we're sailors
who had drifted TO Haiti from New York
during the years 1893 and 1884. Il appears
that Bolten had managed TO save a little
money by doing some painting at Port au
Prince. and that the small fishing boat was
his property.
Before leaving port the men secured the
usual papers issued from the American
consulate. which identified them and es-
tablished their American citizenship. This
attempt to 90 in a small, open boat from
one Haitien port to another did not sue
ceed, and they were finally driven. by
stress Of weather, 10 the coast Of Cuba.
Temporary landings were effected al one
OF two points along the Haitien and Cuban
coasts, and finally, almost destitute Of food
and water and after drifting about FOR
several days. they reached Santiago de
Cuba.
The testimony discloses that they at once
produced their papers FOR inspection TO the
captain Of the port. explained their dis
tress. and asked 10 be directed 20 the
/ United states Consul Notwithstanding,
these admitted facts they we're seized by
the military authorities on February %,
1895, and thrown into prison from which
/ they were not released until Nav 3 fol-
lowing. During this imprisonment both
men were kept in close confinement much
Of the time and both suffered great injury
TO health thereby. Bolten contracted yel-
low fever
The seizure Of these men is believed by
the committee TO have been in violation
Of article Of Inc treaty Of 1875, which
provides for the hospitable reception Of
American citizens who, through stress Of
weather, are driven upon Spanish terri
tory
Il IS further evident 10 the committee.
says the report that the rOceedings fnau-
gurated by the military authorities against
BOlten and Richelieu are violation Of the
protocol Of January p 1877. which pro
yides that citizens Of the United States
taken without arms in hand shall hs tried
by the ordinary civil tribunals. 20 the cX-
clufiou of any special tribunal and when
arrested and imprisoned shall lie deemed
10 be arrested or imprisoned by order Of
the civil authority.
Both men were held by the military au-
thorities from the 25d OF February 10 the
2lst OF March, when they were turned over
TO the civil tribunal OF the province OF
Santiago. 4 rigid search at the time Of
their seizure by the Spanish authorities
failed TO disclose any arms or papers or
other evidences Of unlawful intent
The committee IN its report recites that
a settlement % this clam has been press
ed upon Spain through the proper diplo-
matte channels OF our Government This
effort has been Uuavdiling and the Span
ish Government has distinctly declined TO
discuss any further the present claims
and consider tbe 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 De adequate 20 obtain
an indemnity for all wrongs and injuries
suffered by the two American sailors Boil
ten and RichelieU.