The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-26
GLN. rms Position.
lie Refuses To Have Part in the Murder Of
His Countrymen.


stephen bonsal sends the following 10
the Herald from Havana.
The position OF our citizens IS most criti-
cal The rumor whether true OF false
has gone abroad that the American Gov
eminent would not Intervene. that Amer
cans can bee murdered with perfect inn
punity so long as the trade interests OF
the country are not interferod with.
Unless something firm and decided and
strongly American is done by our Govern
ment in Washington. Americans are in
great danger Of their lives.
CONGRATULATIONS TO LEE.
Hundreds Of cablegrams are pouring
ina on General Lee from every quarter OF
the globe. c0ngratulatlng him upon the
stand be has taken. those from tho
United states promising patriotic action
in Congress.
lie mas acted as dispassionately and
without personal prejudice in this mat
ter as though the outrages had occurred
in Crete or Corea, and ne trusts and be-
levos Congress will do the same.
For many months past General Lee has
satisfied himself and placed overwhcim-
ing facts before our Government. that
not "a Single provision Of the treaty rights
secured 90 our cOuntrymen by the genius
and ability of Gushing and Plnkuey SIS
being observed by the authorities of this
island.
These incidents have been suppressed
as they occurred Boy the Executive d
partment Of our Government. and Gen
cral Lee could do no more than fulnl
his duty. which was TO place the facts
before the responsible department Of
our Government. Not single enc OF
these violations Of treaty rights-nOt 10
speak OF the humane laws which bind
us all-has ever elected from the state
Department sign OF lie or even am &C
Acknowledgement that il has been received.
Actuated boy feelings Il loyalty TO Nj.
Cleveland General Lee submitted in dig
nided silence TO the situation so little
TO his liking that was thrust upon HIM
and the matter would have drifted on
until March am. when General Lee Ike
so many others. purposed returning 10 ms
native State. % sadder ana wiser man
for his consular experience.
NOTIFIED MIR OLNEY
In the case cf Ruiz. General Lee haa
notified the department that no charge
had been brought against the man
within tWenty-four hours OF his arrest,
ass the law requires. and hc further notI-
he'd the Department that Ruiz was being
than the Spanish code allows. iie took
the same steps in the case of Scott ana
in every incident, step by step. has point
cd out tho ilcgalilies that have charac-
terized each and every proceeding OF tie
Spanish authorities here in their treat
ment of American citizens. These cable
grams have never been answered. one
way or the other. Urgent inquiries adj
dressed 10 the department asking Tor
the opinion OF the proper law officer of
The Government upon the legal questions
,f tine cases ass they arose. have
never been noticed, until the conclusion
was forced upon General Ice that n
fulnlling mis- oath of office TO protect the
lives and property of American ciuzeus
in this terror-stricken country. be would
have to rely only upon his own resources
and the respect and confidence Cf his
fellOW-citizcns.
Al this iuncture the Ruiz murder. which
he had forcsccn and of which he had
lorewarncd the Secretary OF State. took
place. General Lee investigated the ter
rible facts Of this tragedy on the spot.
and. as 1 Informed you. without delay
cabled the Department. For three days
bee received no reply.
AT this juncture Mrs. Scott called upon
of AN tho suffcrlnes and torture TO which
her husband was exposed because he wa
accused-falsely. II appears-of having In
his collection set of stamps issued hy
the Cuban Republic.
ACTION IN THE SCOTT CASE.
General Lee Immediately decided 10 act
as his sense of duty and responsibility
dictated and as his conscience told him
was right. He demanded the release OF
Scott from the Illegal restraint he was
suffering.
lie informed the Department OF the
demand he had made. lie told the
Washington authorities OF the gravity
of the situation. lie asked them TO &C.
able losses. lie asked that warships
might be sent 10 Havana TO sustain his
just demands and he concluded by say
ing II will not ana cannot stand anoth-
er Ruiz murder" lie wrote that a week
ago, and he has repeated IL twice since
by cable and by letter.
Since Sunday night last both his resig-
nation and request for removal have been
in the hands of the State Department in
Washington. and President Cleveland Ia.
failed TO accept the resignation or order
his removal.
General Lee has stated publicly h.
platform. He will not and he cannot
have another Ruiz murder. II the Presi-
dent can send onc-or IL Mr.. Olney wants
to. and II the people OF the United State-
cannot stop him-Genersl Lee requests
that another Consul-GeneIal be sent 10
Havana. lie cannot and will not accept
any share Of the blood outlines that VIII
fan upon the American Consul General
here who stands by and raises not a fin
ger TO prevent the preparation Of such
atrocities.
The issue is clear. The country knows
the facts. VIII the people permit another
murderl NIL they allow General Lee