Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Report of the Secretary of State.

The President:

The undersigned, Secretary of State, having received a resolution passed in the Senate of the United States on December 21, 1896, in the following words—

That the Secretary of State be, and he is hereby, directed to send to the Senate a report of all naturalized citizens of the United States of whose arrest and imprisonment, trial, or conviction, or sentence, either to imprisonment at the penal colony of Ceutro or elsewhere, he has any information, and that he shall inform the Senate in such report of the persons now held in confinement at Ceutro and of the charges, briefly stated, on which they were condemned and the nature of the evidence, so far as the same appears on the files of the State Department,

has the honor to lay before the President a list of persons claiming to be citizens of the United States who have been arrested in Cuba since February 24, 1895, to the present date, to the end that, if in the President’s judgment not incompatible with the public interest, the same be transmitted to the Senate in response to the foregoing resolution.

Since the breaking out of the insurrection in Cuba, on February 24, 1895, to the present time, 74 persons, citizens of the United States, or claiming to be such, have been arrested by the Spanish authorities of the island.

Passports, certificates of naturalization, registration in the consulates of this Government on the Island of Cuba, and service on ships sailing under the flag of the United States, having been alike accepted by our consular officers and the Spanish authorities as prima facie evidence of citizenship establishing the rights of the claimants to the treatment secured to our citizens under our treaties and protocols with Spain, it has been deemed advisable to include in the subjoined list all persons of the classes referred to who have been arrested.

Of the 74 persons arrested, 7 have been tried, namely: Nos. 1, 36, 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74. In the cases of 2 of these (Nos. 1 and 36) appeals have been taken, and in the cases of the other 5, the Competitor prisoners, a new trial has been ordered.

Thirty-six persons arrested have been released after the charges against them had been investigated and found to be baseless.

Eighteen have been expelled from the island, after periods of confinement lasting from a few days to nearly a year in the case of Jose Aguirre (No. 2); while 17 cases are still pending. The charges against 14 of the 17 are as follows:

Nos. 31 and 55, sedition and rebellion.

No. 38, rebellion.

Nos. 37, 40, 61, and 62, rebellion with arms in hand.

No. 43, purchase and concealment of arms and ammunition.

No. 53, disorderly conduct and insults to Spain.

Nos. 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74, landing arms from Competitor for insurgents.

In the remaining three cases (Nos. 35, 47, and 52), the nature of the charges having not yet been ascertained, demand has been made both at Habana and Madrid that they be at once formulated and communicated or that prisoners be released.

Mr. Delgado (No. 54) died in hospital at Habana on the 19th instant.

Besides the above 74 cases, 9 correspondents of various newspapers in the United States have been expelled from Cuba by the Spanish authorities, after temporary detention by the military.

No American citizen has been sentenced or is confined at Ceutro.

Demands have been made upon the Spanish Government in every case where trial seems to be unreasonably delayed that it go forward at once or prisoner be released.

Respectfully submitted.

Richard Olney.

Department of State,
Washington, January 22, 1897.

List of American citizens, native and naturalized, arrested and imprisoned in Cuba since February 24, 1895, to date, stating also cause of arrest, charges, place of confinement, whether tried, released, deported, or cases pending.

1. Julio Sanguily, 49 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1878; arrested February 24, 1895; charge of rebellion; tried November 28, 1895; found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment; case appealed to supreme court, Madrid. Was also tried on charge of participation in the kidnapping of the sugar planter Fernandez de Castro, in 1894, by the late bandit Manuel Garcia, and acquitted. Tried for the second time December 21, 1896, for rebellion; the case remanded from Spain, and again sentenced December 28 to life imprisonment; an appeal taken. Has been imprisoned in the Cabana fort.

2. José Marie Timoteo Aguirre, 52 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1881; arrested February 24, 1895; charge of rebellion; confined in Cabana fort; acquitted and deported September 6, 1895; went to the United States.

3. Francisco Peraza, arrested at Sagua March 2, 1895; charge of participation in the robbery of some cattle; released March 4, 1895.

4. Francisco Carrillo, 45 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1891; arrested at Remedios on February 24, 1895, upon a gubernative order for not having inscribed himself in the register of foreigners in any province of the island; confined in Cabanas fort; released and deported to the United States May 29, 1895.

5. Juan Rodriguez Valdes, native of Cuba; naturalized 1876; arrested at Puerto Principe April 5, 1895; released April 6.

6. Justo Gener, 68 years; native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested at Matanzas April 6; released April 9, 1895.

7. José Maria Caraballo, 42 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1877; arrested at Matanzas April 6; released April 9, 1895.

8. Manuel Fuentes, 33 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1889; correspondent New York World; arrested at Caimanera April 30, 1895; released May 4, 1895, on condition that he return to the United States.

9. Manuel Vargas, arrested at Remedios July 3, 1895; released and expelled July 13, 1895; charged with being an agent of the insurgents, etc.; naturalized.

10. Domingo Gonzalez y Alfonso, 42 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1876; arrested at Quivican July 3, 1895; expelled September 3, 1895, for the reason that his presence in the island is a source of danger to the Government.

11. Victoriano Bulit Perez, 33 years; native of Cuba, of American parents; arrested at Sagua July 12, 1895; accused of “proposing treasonable acts;” released November 8, 1895.

12. Joseph A. Ansley, 56 years; born in Habana, of American parents; arrested at Sagua August 26, 1895; charge, “presence prejudicial to peace of island;” deported to United States September 21, 1895.

13. Aurelio Ansley, 34 years; son of Joseph A. Ansley. Same as above.

14. Luis Ansley, 30 years; son of Joseph Ansley. Same as above.

15. John A. Sowers, 65 years; native of Virginia. Same as above.

16. Carlos M. Garcia y Ruiz, 28 years; born in the United States; arrested at Sagua September 7, 1895; accused of attempting to join the insurrectionists; released October 7, 1895.

17. Jose Martinez Gonzalez, 45 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1873; arrested at Sagua September 12, 1895; charge of riding on railroad without paying fare; no evidence against him; released September 19, 1895.

18. Mariano Rodriguez Zayas, native of Cuba; arrested Habana September 17; released September 19, 1895; naturalized; no charges.

19. Jose Martinez Mesa, 41 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1878; arrested at Habana September 17, 1895; released September 19, 1895; no charges.

20. Eugene Pelletier, 42 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1877; arrested at Cienfuegos December 5, 1895; charged with recruiting for the insurrection; released, under surveillance, May 17, 1896.

21. Joseph J. Trelles, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested at Matanzas December 24, 1895; released December 26, 1895; no charges.

22. Manuel M. (or W.) Amieva, 39 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1878; arrested at Matanzas December 24, 1895, as a suspect; released December 31, 1895; no charges.

23. Solomon, Chas. S., native of the United States, arrested and released.

24. Marcos E. Rodriguez, 57 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1875; arrested January 17, 1896, on board American steamship Olivette; charge, aiding the rebellion, sedition, etc.; released April 1, 1896.

25. Louis Someillan, Sr., 58 years; born in Cuba, naturalized Key West 1878; arrested January 17, 1896, at Habana; released April 1, 1896; charge, aiding rebellion, sedition, etc.

26. Louis Someillan, Jr., 36 years; born in Habana, son of above; arrested January 17 at Habana; released April 1, 1896; charge, aiding rebellion, sedition, etc.

27. Ladislao Quintero, born in Key West; made a prisoner of war February 22, 1896, at Guatao, where he had been wounded by Spanish troops; released April 11, 1896.

28. Walter Grant Dygert, 25 years; born in the United States; arrested February 23, 1896; imprisoned at Guines; supposed to be insurgent leader El Inglesito; finally released and sent to United States April 24, 1896.

29. Rev. Albert J. Diaz, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested at Habana April 16, 1896, charged with forwarding rebel correspondence; confined at police headquarters; expelled April 16, 1896; accused of abetting insurrection.

30. Alfred Diaz; brother of above; arrested, same charge; both of the Diazes were released April 22, 1896, on condition of leaving the country; went to Key West.

31. Joseph L. Cepero, native of Cuba; naturalized 1881; arrested prior to January 20, 1896, on board steamer from Cienfuegos to Batabano; case now pending before civil court Santa Clara; confined in Santa Clara prison; charge, sedition, rebellion, etc.

32. Luis Martinez, arrested about March 1, 1896; charged with treasonable correspondence; released April 13, 1896, on $400 bail; naturalized 1873.

33. William A. Glean, native of Cuba, of American parents; arrested at Sagua April, 1896; charge, rebellion; military jurisdiction inhibited in favor of civil July 28, 1896; released and returned to the United States.

34. Louis M. Glean, brother of the above; same as above.

35. Frank J. Larrieu, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested at Cardenas May 15, 1896; case pending; charges not made known.

36. Louis Someillan, 58 years; native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested July 7, 1896, for second time; charge, aiding rebellion; turned over to civil court, is confined in city prison; trial held January 8, 1897; sentenced January 13 to imprisonment in chains for life; appeal taken.

37. Manuel Fernandez Chaqueilo, 19 years; native of Key West; captured July 9, 1896; was the companion of Charles Govin; is in Cabana fort; case pending, under military jurisdiction; charge, “rebellion with arms in hand.”

38. George W. Aguirre, 25 years; born in the United States; captured by a Spanish gunboat July 10, 1896; case pending before civil court of Jaruco; confined in Cabana fort; charge of rebellion.

39. Samuel T. Tolon, 45 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1878; arrested on board American steamer Seneca September 3, 1896; incomunicado twenty-two days; charged with being a delegate to the Cuban Junta; released and deported September 30, 1896; went to New York.

40. Oscar Cespedes, 20 years; native of Key West; captured without arms in insurgent hospital near Zapata swamp about September 5, 1896; imprisoned at San Severino fort, Matanzas; question of competency between military and civil jurisdiction decided in favor of military; case pending.

41. Francisco E. Cazanas, arrested as suspect at Matanzas October 14, 1896; released October 16, 1896.

42. Alfredo Hernandez, 44 years; native of Matanzas; naturalized 1876; arrested at his house in Habana September 6, 1896; suspicion of being concerned in the insurrection; expelled September 23, 1896; went to Key West.

43. Antonio Suarez Del Villar, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested at Cienfuegos September 5, 1896; charged with purchase and concealing of arms and ammunition; case sent to civil jurisdiction December 23, 1896; in prison at Cienfuegos; case pending.

44. Jose Curbino, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested at Rincon September 18, 1896; surrendered to military authorities without arms; released and is residing at Santiago de las Vegas.

45. Joseph Austin Munoz, native of New Orleans; arrested at Matanzas September 18, 1896; released September 19; claimed that arrest was by mistake.

46. Ramon Rodriguez, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested September 20, 1896, upon requisition from governor of Matanzas; had been in insurrection; surrendered and failed to report regularly; sent to Cardena and released.

47. Esteben Venero, 22 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1895; arrested at Los Palos (Habana province) about September 22, 1896; charges not stated; Captain-General asked for evidence of American citizenship on December 9, which was sent him; case pending cognizance of military or civil jurisdiction.

48. Adolfo Torres, native of Cuba; naturalized; arrested October 4, at Sagua; charges not stated; release ordered November 23, 1896, question of competency not established; released November 26, officer remarking, “We have no charges against you.”

49. Esteben Cespedes (colored), born in Cuba; naturalized Key West, 1891; arrested October 13, 1896, charged with naniguismo (voodoo); expelled November 7, and went to Key West.

50. Ramon Crucet, 48 years; born in Cuba; naturalized 1873; arrested in Colon November 1, 1896; charges, public censure of acts of Spanish Government; released December 18, 1896; no grounds of complaint.

51. Louis Lay, 18 years; native of Cuba, of American parents; arrested November 9, 1896, during a raid upon a social club in Regla; confined in Cabana fort; case ordered to be transferred to civil court at Guanabacoa December 23; charges, aiding rebellion; released January 15, 1897.

52. Jose Gonzalez,63 years; native of Bejucal, Cuba; naturalized 1882; arrested at Las Mangas November 10, 1896; taken to prison at Pinar del Rio; charges not yet made known to consulate-general, Habana.

53. Theodore L. Vives, native of Cienfuegos; naturalized 1891; arrested November 19, 1896; charges, first disorderly conduct and then insults to Spain; case pending cognizance of military or civil jurisdiction; is confined in jail.

54. Henry J. Delgado, native of the United States; captured about December 10, 1896, at an insurgent hospital in Pinar del Rio province, after having been ten weeks in a hut sick; sent to Habana to Cabana fort; removed to hospital December 28, 1896, where, our consul-general reports, he received best medical attention; died in hospital January 19, 1897.

55. Gaspar A. Betancourt, 63 years; native of Cuba; naturalized 1877; arrested December 26, 1896; confined at police headquarters incommunicado, charged with sedition.

56. Fernando Pino Hernandez, 19 years (colored); native of Key West; charged with naniguismo (voodoo); ordered to be expelled December 30, 1896; will be sent to Key West.

57. Amado Pino Hernandez, 21 years; brother of the above; same as above.

58. Jose Antonio Iznaga, native of Cuba; naturalized; expelled in August, 1896; no report.

59. August Bolton, naturalized 1893.

60. Gustave Richelieu, naturalized 1870; taken in a boat near Santiago de Cuba about February 23, 1896; released from prison about March 1, 1896; subsequently rearrested and recommitted for leaving Guantanamo without permission; consul considers second arrest an excuse for detention; release granted shortly after.

61. Frank Agramont, and 62, Thos. Julio Sainz, arrested with arms in hand May, 1895; charge, rebellion; to be tried for armed insurrection against the Government; Santiago de Cuba.

63. John D. Ferrer, no evidence against him; released March 23, 1896; naturalized at New York, 1878.

64. Pedro Duarte; 65, Jorge Calvar, and 66, Ramon Romagosa, arrested at Manzanillo for alleged conspiracy in insurrection; expelled August 11, 1896.

67. Donald B. Dodge, or F. M. Boyle, arrested at Santiago de Cuba August 2, 1895; charge, rebellion (consul thinks his mind unbalanced); released August 31, 1895, and sailed for the United States; native of New York.

68. Bert S. Skiller, arrested at La Caleta, in open boat, April 28, 1896; released at Baracoa September 3, 1896.

69. Manual Comas, arrested October 25, 1895, and released.

70. Alfred Laborde, native; arrested on steamer Competitor April 25, 1896; charge, landing arms for insurgents; confined in Cabana fortress; condemned to death May 8; order suspended; new trial opened May 11, 1896.

71. William Gildea, naturalized; same as above.

72. Ona Melton, native; same as above.

73. Charles Barnett, native; supposed to be one of Competitor crew; captured on land; same as above.

74. William Leavitt, British subject; supposed to be one of Competitor crew; captured on land; same as above.

List of newspaper war correspondents who have been expelled from the island.

William Mannix, native of United States; expelled as a dangerous alien, etc., February 11, 1896.

Sylvester Scovel, World, native of United States; reported that he had arrived from insurgent lines, and it was intended to deport him in January; reported January 20 that he had returned to insurgent lines.

Charles Michelson and Lorenzo Betancourt, correspondent and interpreter of New York Journal; arrested February 25; confined in Morro Castle; released February 27, 1896; charged with having communicated with insurgents by passing through Spanish lines at Marianco, etc.

Elbert Rappleye, Mail and Express; expelled March 26, 1896, for sending news to his paper which was false and disparaging to the authorities in the island.

James Creelman, World, born in Canada; expelled May 5, 1896, for sending to paper false reports touching the insurrection.

F. W. Lawrence, Journal, born in the United States; expelled May 5, 1896; same cause as above.

William G. Gay, World; native of New York; expelled June 27; went to New York.

Thomas J. Dawley, war correspondent; native of New York. Arrested several times between March 24, 1896, and July 3 on suspicion; charges, “Taking views of forts and conspiring to blow up same with dynamite;” confined thirteen days in Morro; released.