The evening times., 1897-02-25
AMERICANS ARE IN DANGER
Cleveland's Policy in the Ruiz Case
" EmboIdens the Spaniards,

| e1O
Havana, Feb. 25.-tTndoubtedlythe Amer
ican nation have reason TO feel the greatest
Indignation at the brutal assassination of
Ricardo Ruiz, at GuaDabacoa. Further
details OF the horrible affair prove con-
ctusively that it was. a most dastardlv
deed. 1t appears that the unfortunate te
| man prcsaged his coming death. and man
| aged TO engrave with his finger nails upon
| the bottom and back OF the only rickety
| chair that his captors allowed him in his
| narrow, stifIing cell, the following heart
rendng farewell address to his family:
Mercedes. Nina, Eyangeline, Ricardo
| good-by. children of my life. | give YOU
| my blessing. Be obedient to your mother
| They will kill M T | am taken to Havana
1 Tell everything. Perhaps my American
| countrymen will avenge me. Good-by, Rita
| of my SOUL
Havana papers all know the truth OF the
murder. but necessarily they have to keep
quiet. Bat all the horrible details are public
| property. and the people here are mortified
over them. not knowing that they will be
the next victims In the American colony
| this murder created the utmost excitement,
all feeling the same fate for any other
Americans imprisoned by the Spaniards
Consul General Lee. after promptly and
properly laying the case before the State
Department. urgently requested author
iZatiOn to demand redress and the prompt
punishment OF the perpetrators of the tias-
Uardly crime. asking a, the same time that
a number of warships be placed at his dis
posal. If necessary. TO enforce his demands
in this case aud in SCOTS
Scott was held for thirteen days in a
state of incoInnunicado in miserable
dungeon without light or air in the Guiana
bacoa Jail The great Indignation of the
Americans here was increased when il
became known that the Washington ad-
mniStration had refused Gen Lees re-
quest 90 uphold American rights and safety
to American citizens. BY this shameful
weak policy. the boasted American patriot
ism was held up to Tidicule and further
outrages were encouraged by the Spanish
authorities. as they had no fear OF any
strong restraining hand to prevent further
crimes gainst Americans.
There was some talk among many Of
the hot-headed ones To- sign petition
asking the protection OF the British flag.
Lees attitude, vigorous, dignified, has
been highly praised by all and had he had
the backing of the administration the
Americans would have had no cause to
blush for their country'S administration
The fact that he s willing to resign II not
properly back ed up by the administrations
his desire to save the lives and liberty of
Americans has eliCited d the admiration
OF all Americans in Cuba. Gen. Lee is
Handicapped by Cleyelands and Olncy's
policy and is pOwerleSs To- enforce treaty
obligations or afforh due prot lection to
the property and lives Of Americans in
this island. The American flag is hardly
respected here now by the Spaniards
People here now are unwilling, hut passive
witnesses of the many daily outrages
committed on AMERICANS and CubanS alike |
by the ruthless Spanish officials and the |
wholesale destruction OF property carried !
on under Gen. Weyler's ferocious orders. !
Gen Lee prefers an honorable resignation |
than to stand by and see. what he cannot |
help. thus showing true grit and staunch !
America nism Great nerve and patience, |
coupled with a firm, determined hand, |
are required to deal with the SpanardS |
here. Their deceitful. cunning ways and |
hypocriucal proteStations 'of innocence are |
exasperating to the highest degree When |
called to account for any miSdeed they |
immediately offer ample apologies, prom
Using a thorough investigation and fun |
punishment - the pHrpet r1tors. ''manna,"
but II Is always drIsved indefinitely
Another iusl .u.r 90 11craut Spanish |
injustice is iu tt. r-I ease MorDte, cor
respondent ~ "a E,s MHf-id raper. went
voluntarily O. eHHr.s camp provided
withpaSses fruH. tir ~ f-agI~ sudCo Severe
Pima. Cuban le-lh.n ffrr accomplishing
his mission. wta.H hs as-runed untruth-
fully, as be was Eaf .res; Juartialed, aud
saying that the iusuIE, nt chiefs would &C
cept the reforms and other false details,
he came back safely tu the Spanish lines,
received nothing but praise for his work,
including a compliment from Canovas.
Scovel committed the same crime, or even
less, and he is imprisoned on the charge
of rebellion.
1t is reported that Gomez. after success