The San Francisco call., 1897-02-25
.ny particular policy toward the island of

any particular policy toward the island of
Cuba.
The issue he thinks is clear. 1t is
whether law-abiding American citizens
residing abroad are to be protected or
whether we are to serve notice that they
can be murdered and tortured with i'm
punity.
For many months past General Lee has
satisfied himself anc placed overwhelming
facts before our Government that not a
single provision of treaty rights is being
observed by the authorities of the island.
These incidents have been suppressed as
they occurred by the executive branch of
our Government, and General Lee could
do no more than fulfill his duty, which
was to place the facts before the response
BILE department of our Government.
Not a single one of these violations of
treaty rights, not to speak of the humane
laws which bind US all, has ever elected
from the State Department a sign of life
or even acknowledgement that it had been
received.
This was the situation when the murder
of Dr. Ruiz took place. In the case OF
Ruiz General Lee had notified the de-
partment that no charge had been
four hours after his arrest, as the law re-
quires. and he further notified the de-
, partment that Ruiz was being kept in
communicate for q longer period than the
Spanish code allows.
He took the same steps in the case of
Scott, and in every incident, step by step,
has pointed out the illegalities that have
characterized each and every proceeding
81. l.
treatment of American citizens.
These cablegrams have never been
answered one way or the other. Urgent
inquiries addressed to the department
asking for the opinion of the proper law
officer of the Government upon the legal
questions of the cases as they arose have
never been noticed, until the conclusion
was forced upon General Lee that
in fulfilling his oath of Office to protect the
lives and property of American citizens in
this terror-stricken country, he would
have to rely only on his own resources,
and the respect and confidence of his fell
low-citizens.
At this juncture the Ruiz murder, which
he had foreseen, and of which he had fore
warned the Secretary of State, took place
General Lee Investigated the terrible facts.
of this tragedy and without delay cabled
the department.. For three days he re-
ceived no reply.
General lee Immediately decided to act
as his sense of duty and responsibility
dictated and as mis- conscience told him
was right. He demanded the release of
Scott from the illegal restraint he was
suffering.
He informed the department of the de-
mand he had made. He told the Wash
ington authorities of the gravity of the
situation. He asked them to act promptly
to avert bloodshed and incalculable losses.
He asked that the warships might be
sent to Havana TO sustain his just de-
mands and be concluded by saying:
II will not and 1 cannot stand another
Ruiz murder"
He wrote that a week ago and he has
repeated it twice since by cable and by
letter.
Since Sunday night last both his
resignation and request for removal have
been in the hands of the State Depart
ment at Washington, and President
Cleveland has failed to acce pt the resigna-
ton or order his removal.
General Lee has stated publicly his plat
form. He will not and he cannot have
another Ruiz murder. He cannot and
will not accept any share of the blood
Consul General here who stands by and
raises not finger TO prevent the perpe-
tration of such atrocities