[Subinclosure.] Ceuta penal colony. 1. Carlos Garcia Sierra, sentenced to life imprisonment and to ten years' hard labor. Crime: Having dynamite. 2. José Gil Hernández. Same as the previous case. 3. Luis Alfaro Pita, sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment. Crime: Being a guide to the Cuban forces. 4. Angel Saenz Monroe, sentenced as a rebel to six years' imprisonment. Crime: Suspected of going to join insurgents. 5. Felipe Hernendez, sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for rebellion. 6. Nicasio Lopez, sentenced to life imprisonment. Crime: Being a spy. 7. Vicente Colon, war prisoner. Accused of killing a person in the war. 8. Camilo Salcerio, war prisoner. sentenced to life imprisonment. Rebellion and being a spy. Crime: 9. Felipe Figueroa, war prisoner, sentenced to life imprisonment and eight years' hard labor for having threatened a Spaniard with death. 10. Cecilio Matias Carmenate, sentenced to perpetual chain for answering he did not know the whereabouts of Maximo Gomez when asked by a chief of a column. 11. Francisco Alcolea, sentenced to perpetual imprisonment with chain because documents were found on him showing he was a prefect in the rebellion. 12. Antonio Rodriguez Ruiz, sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment for buying ammunition for the insurgents. 13. Juan Gonzalez Hernández, made a prisoner with arms in hand. Sentenced to life imprisonment. 14. Andres Salcedo Acebo. 15. Arcadio Curbera Echeverria. 16. José Gil Diaz. 17. Felipe Martinez Rodriguez. 18. Lucas Morales. Cartagena penitentiary. 19. Enrique Dole Morales, sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment. Crime: Taking ammunition from the military pyrotechnic depot in order to aid the insurrection. 20. José de la Rosa Aquino, same as the preceding one. 21. José Nicolas Guerrero, same as the preceding one. 22. José Fonticola, same as the preceding one. Malaga penitentiary. 23. Rafael Acosta y Acosta, awaiting trial for acts committed during his imprisonment in Ceuta. 24. Juan Benito Castalló, for furnishing cartridges to the insurgents. [Inclosure 2.-Translation.] Mr. Dupuy de Lome to Mr. Sickles. MINISTRY OF STATE, Palace, September 11, 1899. MY DEAR SIR: Your note No. 46, with inclosed list containing the names of the Cubans yet existing in the Spanish prisons for political offenses, was duly received. From the investigations made to that effect it is found that out of the eighteen individuals mentioned in the list as yet imprisoned in Ceuta there is but one in that penitentiary at present, Vicente Colon by name, who was convicted by the audiencia of Santa Clara, not for political offenses at all, but for murder committed in August, 1894. The rest have either never existed in that penitentiary or they have been released. The four individuals who appear in your list as being yet imprisoned at Cartegena have been set at liberty, and were furnished with money to the Government's account and passports for Cadiz on the 23d of August last. FOREIGN RELATIONS. Regarding the two individuals mentioned in your list as being at Malaga, we have no information as yet, but it has been asked for with urgency. I avail myself of this opportunity, etc. Per authorization. ENRIQUE DUPUY DE LOME. The CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES OF THE UNITED STATES. Mr. Sickles to Mr. Hay. No. 88.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have to-day received an official communication from the minister for foreign affairs informing me that the following Cuban political prisoners have been set at liberty: Imprisoned at Ceuta: Carlos Garcia Sierra, Luis Alfaro Pita, Felipe Figueroa, Cecilio Matias Carmenate, Antonio Rodriguez Ruiz, Andres Salsedo Acebo, Arcadio Carbera Echevarria. Malaga prison: Ramon Acosta y Acosta. I inclose a copy and accurate translation of the note from the Spanish ministry for foreign affairs. I have the honor to be, etc., STANTON SICKLES, Chargé. No. 57.] [Inclosure.- Translation.] MINISTRY OF STATE, Palace, September 18, 1899. MY DEAR SIR: In addition to my note dated the 11th instant, with respect to the Cubans who continue to be imprisoned for political offenses at the Spanish penal colonies, I have the honor to inform you that according to advices received from my colleague, the minister of grace and justice, the following prisoners have been set at liberty: Ceuta Penitentiary: Carlos Garcia Sierra, Luis Alfaro Pita, Felipe Figueroa, Cecilio Matia Carmanate, Antonio Rodriguez Ruiz, Andres Salcedo Acebo, Arcadio Curbera Echevarria. Malaga prison: Ramon Acosta y Acaota. I avail myself of the opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my distinguished consideration. Per authorization. E. DUPUY DE LOME, The CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES OF THE UNITED STATES. PAYMENT OF INTEREST (1898 AND 1899) ON SPANISH INDEMNITY BONDS OF 1834. No. 29.] Mr. Hay to Mr. Storer. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: In pursuance of the convention of February 17, 1834, between the United States and Spain, certain coupons of España" were issued by the Spanish Government and were by the renta perpétua de United States Government distributed among American citizens thereto entitled in settlement of their claims against that Government. Holders of these obligations complain to the Department of State of their nonpayment, though long past due. You will therefore bring the matter to the attention of the Spanish Government and report the result to the Department, so that it may be enabled to inform said holders within what period said obligations will be paid. I am, etc., Mr. Sickles to Mr. Adee. JOHN HAY. No. 58.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: In answer to Department dispatch No. 29, dated July 17, 1899, referring to "certain coupons of renta perpétua de España," which were issued by the Spanish Government in pursuance of the convention of February 17, 1834, between the United States and Spain, and which were distributed among American citizens thereto entitled in settlement of their claims against the Spanish Government, I have the honor to report that, in reply to my official communication, the minister of state has transmitted to this legation an official letter, a copy and accurate translation of which I beg to inclose. I have, etc., STANTON SICKLES, Chargé d'Affaires ad Interim. [Inclosure. Translation.] Mr. Dupuy de Lome to Mr. Sickles. MINISTRY OF STATE, MY DEAR SIR: Your note No. 32, of the 9th instant, transmitting the contents of a dispatch from the Government of the United States relating to the debt arising from the agreement of February 17, 1834, has been duly received by this ministry. In reply thereto I have the pleasure to state to you that the Government of His Majesty has already given its attention to this matter, carrying its prevision and good faith to the point of providing the necessary sum for the payment of the interest of this debt in the budget lately presented to the Cortes of the Kingdom. It is my duty, however, to remind you, that you may do likewise to your Government, that, this debt arising out of a treaty which was suspended in virtue of the late war, this matter can not be resolved until the important point of the renovation of the agreements celebrated between the two countries has been decided by the Governments of Spain and the United States. It is plain that in the protocol of the conference held in Paris on December 8, 1898, between the Spanish and the North American commissioners the latter proposed the inclusion of an article in the treaty of peace renovating all the former treaties, to which proposition the Spaniards objected, because according to them, "some of the treaties were already obsolete or referred to conditions no longer existing, for which reason it was necessary to make a more careful study of each one of them than could be done by the commission.' The Secretary of State of the United States asked very recently if the Government of His Majesty preferred to treat of the matter of the renovation of the treaties in Washington or in Madrid, and, upon having given the preference to Madrid, it was decided that it should be so. From all that precedes it follows that the Government of His Majesty will resolve as to the payment of the debt of 1834 at the same time that the subject of the renovation of the treaties is considered. The Government of His Majesty, wishing to give a proof of its constant good faith, has already taken the proper steps in order to completely guarantee the interests of the holders of the debt of 1834, without this resolution prejudicing in the least the matter which must be resolved by common agreement between the two Governments concerned. I avail, etc., E. DUPUY DE LOME. Mr. Adee to Mr. Storer. No. 84.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 12, 1899. SIR: Referring to the note of the Spanish Government, inclosed in Mr. Sickles's No. 58, August 21, ultimo, touching the payment of the interest due on the debt created by the convention of 1834, the Department is pleased to observe the evidence of the good faith of said Government shown by the provision made in its budget for the payment of said interest. Inasmuch as the obligation to pay the same is made perpetual by the provisions of said treaty, the Department is unable to perceive the connection between said obligation to pay and the payment of said debt, on the one hand, and on the other hand the making between the two Governments treaties of commerce and navigation, or for the extradition of criminals, or in relation to consuls. The Government of the United States does not understand the said note of the Spanish Government as repudiating or denying its permanent and continuing obligation to pay said debt as provided in said treaty, and therefore the subject of the payment thereof would seem to have no relevancy to the negotiation of new treaties. You will communicate these views to the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, and are at liberty, if requested, to furnish him a copy of this instruction. I am, etc., Mr. Storer to Mr. Hay. ALVEY A. ADEE, Acting Secretary. No. 123.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Replying to your instructions Nos. 29 and 84, concerning the delay in payment of the coupons to holders of certificates of the public debt of Spain pursuant to treaty of 1834, I am able to-day, on the assurance of the minister of state, to report the successful termination of the discussion of the matter. The minister of state this morning informed me that the council of ministers had decided to waive any further delay on the formal reestablishment of the treaty of 1834, and to announce to the Government of the United States that those coupons should be paid at once. He asked me in what way the Department desires this payment to be made, as personally he does not remember distinctly what has been the method employed in years past. He adds that the minister of the treasury was under the impression that it was customary to pay these coupons through Habana, but that he did not himself feel thoroughly informed as to the matter and would be pleased to know the wishes of the Department. While the treaty of 1834 calls for the payment of these coupons through Paris, I could give no further information as to the practice. I have therefore cabled you to-day a dispatch, the true reading of which is as follows: The council of ministers to-day has decided a payment of coupons under the treaty of 1834 without waiting negotiation new treaty. The Spanish Government asks if place and mode of payment shall continue as before. I shall be pleased to have your instructions. BELLAMY STORER. Mr. Hay to Mr. Storer. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 18, 1899. You will express to the minister of state the President's appreciation of the considerate decision of the council of ministers to pay inscriptions of thirty-four without waiting negotiation of new convention. It would be agreeable to us to have place and manner of payment as heretofore. Mr. Storer to Mr. Hay. HAY. No. 135.1 LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter just received from the ministry of state, on the subject of the payment of the interest of the public debt of Spain, under the treaty of 1834, and an accurate translantion. EXCELLENCY: In addition to what I have had the honor to verbally express to your excellency in reply to your courteous note of November 22 last, I have the pleasure to inform you that on this date I have transmitted to the minister plenipotentiary of His Majesty at Washington, a check against the Riggs National Bank for the amount of $28,500, in order that the payment of the annuity of 1898, of the sum agreed upon in the treaty of 1834, be made through the Department of State in the usual inanner. Besides, the Bank of Spain has instructed its London correspondent. Messrs. Frederick Huth & Co., to place at the disposal of the Spanish minister at Washington the sum of $28,500 for the payment of the annuity corresponding to the year 1899. In thus paying the two annuities, which on account of the last war had been suspended, the punctiliousness with which the Government of His Majesty attends to its international obligations will be clearly shown. I avail, etc., E. DUPUY DE LOME, Assistant Secretary of State. |