Mr. Loomis to Mr.
Day.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, June 7,
1898.
No. 146.]Sir: I have the honor to invite your attention
to the inclosed copy of a note which I recently addressed to the
Venezuelan Government on account of the treatment to which a reputable
American citizen was subjected by Venezuelan officials, at Ciudad
Bolivar, on the 10th of May last.
F. Scandella, the victim of this outrageous treatment, is a well meaning,
sober, and industrious man. He is engaged in the cattle and
transportation business at Ciudad Bolivar, and I have excellent written
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evidence as to his
character, standing, and financial status. Among those who testified to
his good character and to the fact that he has never taken part in
politics, directly or indirectly, are the recent President of the State
in which Scandella lives, a senator from that State, and two of the most
responsible bankers and merchants there.
In arresting Mr. Scandella and expelling him as they did the officers
violated both the laws and the constitution, but I have held this and
other points in reserve in order to make use of them when the Government
makes a formal answer to my note. * * *
I hope full instructions will be sent me. In the meantime, Scandella is
in Caracas without funds, and has left his wife with five young children
unprovided for at Ciudad Bolivar. After his arrest all his cattle and
mules were stolen, and he is without money or the means of getting it
until he can go back and look after his business. His direct loss of
property by reason of his arrest is, so far as I can ascertain, about
$2,000.
His wife also writes that his house, about three miles from the city, has
been sacked. Some immediate relief ought to be given him, and I think of
asking the Government informally to let him have $1,000 pending the
adjustment of the claim.
Please cable me on this point, stating what indemnity to ask.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
146.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, May
31, 1898.
His Excellency Juan Calcano
Mathieu,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Sir: The consular agent of the United
States at Ciudad Bolivar, who is, as you know, a man of excellent
character and high business and financial standing, reports a matter
to me of so much gravity that I am constrained to ask your
excellency to give your immediate attention to the statement which I
have the honor to submit.
The consular agent says that on the 10th of May F. Scandella, an
American citizen, was forcibly seized on the streets of Ciudad
Bolivar by Government officials and taken to the common prison,
where, after being searched in an offensive manner, he was confined
in a small, foul, ill-ventilated room in which twenty-nine other
persons were already imprisoned. At the time of his arrest Mr.
Scandella was proceeding quietly about his business. He demanded the
reason for his illegal seizure, and was simply told that it was in
obedience to “superior orders.” Mr. Scandella asked that if there
were charges against him he be informed as to the nature of those
charges, but all information as to the cause of his arrest was
rigidly withheld. He asked to be allowed to communicate with his
wife and friends; this was refused. The consul wrote a letter of
protest to the President of the State and asked what crime Mr.
Scandella was charged with. This letter was not answered until after
Mr. Scandella had been expelled from the soil of Venezuela. Mr.
Scandella was allowed to communicate with none of his friends,
family, or advisers; in fact, with no one save his jailors and
fellow-prisoners. The afternoon following his arrest he was taken
from the prison under a strong guard of policemen and soldiers and
marched through the streets of the city like a felon. He was
forcibly placed on board a steamer, and accompanied by two guards
was taken to the island of Trinidad, which is British
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territory. Mr. Scandella
was given no opportunity to arrange his business affairs, nor was he
permitted to make provision for the support and comfort of his
family. His treatment is wholly opposed to the practices and
repugnant to the feelings of just and humane people. It is little
short of barbarous, and can not be justified.
In addition to the cruelty and indignities to which this law abiding
American citizen has been subjected, he has been forced to abandon
his business and surrender the fruits of months of industry and the
earnings of a considerable amount of borrowed capital, which he had
invested in the cattle and transportation business.
The settlement of this matter is not one that can, from the nature of
the case, admit of much delay. I am sure your excellency will
appreciate the gravity of the outrage that has been committed and
feel inclined to make adequate reparation.
Permit me, etc.,
