The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-02

Much 5ustlaable indignation Is expressed
over the case OF Or. Ricardo Ruiz natur-
allied American citizen, who was arrested
recently in Cuba. and who was reported to
have died In prison. The American consul
general insisted on having the body ex-
amined. ard as a result. there were un-
naistakable evidences that the prisoner had
been brntaily murdered, bis skull having
been fractured by club. while his BODY
bore many bruises.
This crime II In keeping with the Span
ssh practices In Cuba. 50 far as they can
be clearly learned. from the maze OF con-
Trajectory stories on the subject. But the
natural Indignation and resentment
aroused by such stories OF cold-hlooded
cruelty as this, should not blind the
American people 10 one fact which stands
out prominently In the case DR.. Ruiz
called himself an American citizen. and Il
Il upon the ground that he was an Ameri-
can citizen that this government was call
ed upon 10 act In the matter. TIE Phila-
delphla Ledger, published in the city In
which DR.. Ruiz received his professional
tied. furnishes the following facts as 10
his residence in this country. He came 20
this country from Cuba in 1875. ana studied
dentistry n the Pennsylvania College q
Dental Surgery. from which.he received .
diploma. In 1850. having completed a i've
years residence In the United States. ne
received his naturalization papers. and I'm
mcdiatsiy thereafter took his departure for
ais native land. and has been living at
GuanahAcoa. Cuba. for the past sixteen
years.
II Is kuoh facts as these which 60 FAR TO
explain the many oatrages upon "Arneri-
can citizens' complained OF IN Cuba The
case Of Or. Ruiz Is not al isolated one 1t
win be noticed that every American cit-
gen." with one exception, whose case has
called for tho intsrposition OF American
authority for his protection. had an IN
mistskable Spanish pasronymic.
Naturailzed American citizens are az
much entitled 10 the protection OF this
government as are those OF native birth.
beyond any question. Bat naturalization
carries with It obligations as well as
rights: and rights Of citizenship 90 40
quired can be forfeited by other methods
than by new naturalization In another
country. II may well be questioned wheth-
err the naturalization of q student. tempo
rar!ly sogourning In this country, and who
Immediately thereafter returns to his ma
tive land and remains there fer Rixteen
years wac not prima facie fraudulent.
Certainly hi. rights az an American citi-
gen have been deliberately parted with.
The state department many years since
held that even a natve-horn American
citizen, who had voluntarily expatria;ed
himself and had lived In q foreign coun-
try. making IL his permanent home Tor
nearly a generation. and who had never
evinced al intention 10 return 20 his ma
tive country. could not claim protection
as an American citizen when hs was In
difficulty with the government OF the coun-
try IN which ne VAS dosuieiled.
II would be an extremely bad precedent
FOR this country 20 make the cases OF such
cltlxens "a Ruis the ground Of intsrven-
ton in Cuba or war with Spain. Better.
~ far. Il such intervention or war is 20
come. pat u upon The broad ground OF
humanity. which can Nc longer permit the
existence OF tie deporshls state Of Affairs
az prsSen, showlng In Cuba.