The herald., 1897-02-22
DR.. RICHARD RU|Z'S CASE
Will Not Lead to Spanish
Complications
LEE STILL INVESTIGATING
And the State Department Is Patiently
Waiting His Report
No United States WarshIps Have Yet Been
Ordered to Cuba and None
Likely to Be
LEE STILL INVESTIGATING
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21-It can be
stated on the best authority that so far
at least there is no reason for appre-
hension that the case of DR.. Richard
Ruiz, who was found dead in his cell in
the jail at Guanabacoa, Cuba, will lead
to an international complication.
The matter was brought to the atten-
tion of the state department in the lat
ter part of last week through complaint
of some OF the friends of the doctor in
this country. The allegation was that
the man had been imprisoned beyond
the period allowed by the treaty for an
American citizen to be kept in Jail with
out the lodgment of charges and that he
had been murdered by his jailers. Con-
sui General Lee was Immediately di-
rected by cable to investigate the af-
fair, although it appeared from his dis
patches he already had his attention 6i-
rected to the case.
The official reports of the Spanish Of
ficers is said to show that Ruiz, While
in Jail. died, but this has not yet been
communicated to the state department
Meanwhile Gen Lee is investigating the
matter and the state department is
awaiting his report. In the absence of
this the officials feel no apprehension of
any complications and all stories that
warships have been called for by Gen.
Lee and that this government is maxi
ing ready to take forcble measures in
the case are without foundation.
DR.. Ruiz was a naturalized American
citizen. He studied and practiced dem
tistry in Philadelphia for some time and
returned to Cuba about the beginning of
the present insurrectipn. The charge
upon which he was arrested was con-
spiracy in having participated in the
derailing of train carrying Spanish
troops, as a result of which two Spanish
officers were captured by the insur-
gents.
THEY WANT MONEY.
CINCINNATI, O., Feb. 21-A Com
mercal Tribune special from Cara belli,
Fla, says: "The schooner Jeanette
from Matanzas, Cuba, arrived with the
second mate severely stabbed When
the schooner was in port the second
mate went ashore and became intoxicat-
ed. While on the dock he was ap-
preached by four Spanish soldiers, who
demanded his money and everything Of
value. The mate refused to obey. The
soldiers stabbed him with their bayonets
and then, knocking him down, took all
the money he had, his cap and coat and
everything of any value. The mate is
seriously hurt Several Spanish officers
saw the assault, but on being appealed
to, walked off muttering Eel Americana.
good enough, serves his right"
The captain OF the jeanette says that
while his vessel was in port there he saw
the Spanish soldiers take a Cuban SOL
der whom they had captured and use
him for a target The soldiers are i'll
paid and need money
NOT ORDERED TO CUBA.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 21-Captain
Glass of the battleshp Texas has writ
ten letter to Acting Secretary McAdoo
of the navy department, in regard to the
trip of the vessel from New York to
Galveston. where she is at present. The
letter shows that the vessel averaged
121a knots during the voyage, which is
regarded as very good speed. and that
she has excellent seagoing qualities She
will remain at Galveston for a few days
when she will start for New Orlenas,
where she is to be during the Mardi
Gras festivities. Mr. McAdoo declares
the vessel has not been ordered to Cuba.
WORLD REPORTERS.
HAVANA, Feb. 21-Thomas G. AL
word. the correspondent of the New York
World, has arrived at Havana. He has
just paid visit to Sylvester Scovel. the
war correspondent of the World, now in
Jail at Sancti Spiritus. province of Santa
Clara. Mr.. Alvord found Mr.. Scovel in
a comfortable condition and in good
spirits.
RUIZ'S DEATH.
NEW YORK, Feb 21-A dispatch to
the World from Havana says: Dr.. Ri
cardo Ruiz, a naturalized American
citizen arrested on suspicion by the
Spanish a week ago, was found dead in
his cell in the Guanabacoa Jail last Tues
day. The body bore marks OF violence
The jailer said he died by suicide. Con-
sul-General Lee sought the privilege
of viewing the body, and asked for a full
statement of the circumstances of his
death.
The Spanish ignored at first both re-
quests. General Lee telegra phed to
Washington. No reply was received.
On Friday General Lee imperatively de-
manded that the body of Dr. Ruiz be
turned over to him and that an autopsy
be made by two physicians, one of whom
should be designated by General Lee
The Marquis Ahumada, acting captain
general in place of Genreal Weyler, who
is in the field. issued the necessary or
der, but so long was the delay that al
though Guanabacoa is less than three
miles from Havana, General Lee was
not admitted to the prison there until
Friday afternoon or thirty hours after
tHe uedlH ol ltUlZ, ana rafeIy IN tln4e
TO stop the burial Of the American phys-
clan in plain pine coffin by squad of
negro Spanish servants.
When the coffin was opened it was
found that Ruiz's face had been bat
tered with blows and SO cut with
wounds as to be almost uurecognizable.
The prisoners said that piercing cries
were heard from his cell on the night
of his death.
Gen. Lee could reach no other conclu-
sion than that Dr. Ruiz had been mur-
dered. He imne llately ordered an au-
topsy to be made, the result Of which
will not be known until late today He
cabled the results of his Investigation
to the state department. but again no
response came In the meantime, Scott,
an American had been kept eleven days
in solitary confinement a Regla, jus.
across the bay from Havana. Gen. Lee
has been refused permission even to
see him. This is a plain violation Of the
treaty rights, 1t is feared that he. too,
has been slain
DR.. Ruiz was a naturalized American
citizen. lie studied and practiced den
tistry in Philadelphia for some time.
ana returned 10 cuba at the beginning
or the present insurrection. The charge
upon which he was arrested was con
tpiracy. He is highly spoken Of hero.
A special to the New York
Herald from Havana says: Secre-
tary of State Olney has demanded here
and at Madrid full explanation ana
prompt Investigation of the death of
Ricardo Ruiz The stains of tho no o.