The herald., 1897-02-25
LEES COURSE As CONSUL
Caused Friction at the State
Department
HIS DEMANDS TOO RADICAL
And Likely to Enianger the Lives Of
Prisoners
The Threatened Trouble Has Been AYertcd
and Their. Is Now No Danger
OF a Rupture
HIS DEMANDS TOO RADICAL
Associated Press Special Wire

WASH MUTTON, FeD. Z4.-FTOn re-
liable source it appears ti4at Consul
General Lee, while in Washington last
autumn, did not conceal his belief that
much credit might be gained for the ad-
min.stration about to conclude its term
by making bold stroke for Cuban free
dom, at least going to the length of rec
ognizing the be!ligerency Of the insur-
gents. Possibly feeling that he was un-
der suspicion of lack Of sympathy with
the departments policy, Gen. Lee, upon
his return to his post was particular to
stick closely to instructions and to in
sist in every case concerning an Ameri-
can captive, upon explicit orders from
the department. This finally led TO fric-
tion with the department. most serious in
the Ruiz case. The consul general knew
of Ruiz's capture and reported it to the
department, but, it is intinated, dropped
1t at that and waited for further instruc-
tlons. The department supposed that
the general instructions in the consular
regulati should have been sufficient
to guide Gen. Lee to a proper course.
Following the death of Ruiz in Jail,
Gen. Lee recommended that the demand
be made upon the Spanish authorities
for the release of all American prisoners
held in Cuban prisons. This, ii was felt,
was q step too radical to be taken out
of hand. The safety of the prisoners,
assumed to be the object of such a de-
mand, it is said, in many cases would be
jeopardiZed by the very means taken TO
secure their release. His demand would
have to be put in the form of one for an
immediate trial of the prisoners or their
immediate release. In case the Spanish
officials decided TO adopt the first named
course, some of the prisoners would have
lost their lives. for they were taken with
arms in hand. and so are subject to the
extreme penalty that may be imposed
by military court.
For such prisoners their hope lies in
the trial being delayed as long as posi-
bic. taking the chance that in the mean
time general amnesty would be pro-
claimed and they would be thereby
saved.
Notwithstanding the repeated state
ments from outside sources to the core
trary the state department officials are
firm in the denial of the reported resig-
nation of Consul-General Lee, and the
impression is given out that any trouble
| that was threatened between the depart
ment and the consul-general has been
compassed and there is no longer any
danger of a rupture. 1t is known there
has been some friction growing out o!
cases of Americans arrested in Cuba.
| THE CORRESPONDENT CASE
! HAVANA, Feb. 24-The local news
papers print a statement to the effect
that the Spanish minister at Washing
| ton, Senor Dupuy de LONE, cabled here
| saying that the family of Sylvester SEQ
vel the correspondent Of the New Yorl
World, who is waiting trial at Santa
Clara, have expressed their thanks tc
Capt. General Weyler for the good treat
ment the prisoner has received while In
the custody Of the Spaniards.
Charles Franklin Scott will be tried
before civil court, according to the
treaty, on the charge of conspiracy.
A SUSPECT ESCAPES
NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-Anlong the
! passengers arriving today b ythe Ware
| steamer Seguranca from Havana was
! Cuban refugee, travelling under the
name of John White. He was not reg
u!ar passenger, having stored himself
aboard the steamer and making his frs,
! appearance after she was three or foul
hours on her voyage He said he had
held position in Havana bank, with g
salary of 5000 month, and was de.
nounced for being patriot and in sym.
pathy with the cause of the Cubans.
The basis of the charges made wal
that seven Of his relatives were mem
bers of Gomez's army He heard tina
the military police were about to- ar
rest him and hid himself Downing a sui
of workingman's clothes he wen
aboard a lighter loaded with a cars,
for the Seguranca, and then determined
to get aboard the steamer and hide
When found he Offered to pay his far,
and told his story. He left his wife an,
six children in Havana.
HART FINDS BONDSMEN.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 24-Captaii
John D. Hart owner of the Laurada
who was convicted here yesterday in tn
district court of filbusteripg, succeeds;
in securing bondsmen today.
HOW RUIZ DIED.
KEY WEST. Fla, Feb. 24.-The AS
sociated Press correspondent here as
certained from one of the passengers ol
board the steamer Olivette. which ar
rived tonight that it is reported tina
DIR. Ruiz the American citizen allege
to have been killed while in Jail, WA
visited by the governor of Guanabacoa
Senior Fonsdievela. while in his cell an
insolently questioned by him. This wa
resented by DR.. Ruiz. Governor Fons
dievela. angered by the incident, it
claimed, seized club and struck ID
Ruiz on the head, causing his death.
SUPREME LADY MAcCABEE