The morning times., 1897-02-26
a Final Appeal.

The truth about the FiDhugh Lee
episode, and of the circumstances that led
Up to it, at length are before us in all
their infamy and hideoUsncss. We shall
not waste space to discuss the mere de-
tails OF Gen. Lees resignation. II hap
pened as, from the start, this journal in
sisted that t did 1t followed final re-
fusaI by the State Department TO protect
the lives Of our consul general, his family
and Americans in Cuba, and an insulting
rebuke TO him for daring to ask such a
thing. 1t was duly received and was
responded to with an urgent ana piteoas
plea from the Secretary of State, and
strong letter from the President referring
10 past friendship and faVors. both begging
him to reconsider, and TO remain in office
until the end of the administration should
bring responsibility to close and perhaps
bury in oblivion the conduct of the chief
offenders against national honor, and com
rrop humanity. The latest available in
formation indicates that the resignat ation
still stands, and that Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
VIII insist upon being relieved from posi-
ton which has become intolerable.
The point OF real Importance relates to
the horrors which have compelled this
brave gentleman to relinquish his post
Principal among these, and the moving
cause, was the arrest, confinement in
loatEsome dungeon, repeated torture, and
final murder, Of the PhiladelpIiia dentist,
DR.. Ricardo Ruiz The torture to which
Dr. Ruiz was subjected before his assassi-
nation, and which other Americans are
now suffering in Cuba, is thus described
in tie havana correspondence II the New
York Sun:
The torture known as componte in Cuba,
and by means OF which the American
| citizen, Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, was aSsfsSina at ed,
is the most Darbarous OF all the cruel pun
ishments invented by the Spaniards. A
prisoner is beaten sometimes with 4 cane
ana sometimes with a large cylindrical
| piece of iron, until he faintS from pain or
loss OF bIOod. his wounds are then cared
| for and when he is better the awful treat
ment is repeated. Care is taken by the
savage eXecutioneTS that the victim shall
not die at the first componte- The de-
! sign is to Kill him by degrees, and when
the climax OF cruelty is reached. then
powerful and decisive blow on the head
puts an end TO the poor victim S suffer
1ngs.
This is a part OF the system to which,
according to Marquis Ahumada' 5 assurances
to the Havana Bashi- Bazouks, the pres
ent administration at Washington gives
its cordial moral support.
Like all such victims of Spanish dcvltry.
moor Dr. Ruiz was thus tortured to extract
some admission that. having been made,
would justify his execution as rebel
Refusing such admission his fate was
sealed. He could not be allowed to leave
the prison alive. to tell the story Of in
human treatment. In one OF the intervals
between torture he managed to scratch
with his finger nails upon the under side
of a steamer chair. which his wife had
been permitted TO send to his cell, this
dying message:
To Mercedes, Evangeline, Ricar(lito
| Rene and Gloria: Farewell, chiiaren OF
my life. Be obedient TO your, mother. 1
| To Rita: My wife, my soul, adius II
| L am removed tell all.
RICARDO
| That chair was sent. fortunately, with
out examination by the incarnate fiend.
Fondesviela. to the widow of the murdered
man. 1t is now in the possession of Gen.
Fftzhugh Lee. Possibly, next week IL may
| De seen in Washington.
The story is complete. We know now
| what few people, outside of administration
and associated Spanish legation circles.
have hitherto known. There is abundant
evidence that the crimes against American
| citizens. Of which the case of DR.. Ruiz
| represents bat one out Of a number, have
been known In those directions for long
| time. We have assurance that they have
| been regularly reported To the State De
| partment by Gen. Lee We know that