Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-08
CALHOUN RETURNS.
WHAT HE SAW AND HEARD IN
CUBA.
REPORT TO BE MADE BY GEN. LEE.
The Island being Dcvastnted-Adhc-
rents of Both Sides Intensc-The
Ruiz Cnse-Impossible to Get at the
Truth.

houn, who was sent to Cuba as spe-
cial commissioner to investigate the cir
cumstances OF the death in prison of
DR.. Ruiz, an American citizen, reached
this city on his return to-day. He was
accompanied by George W. Fishback.
his secretary, and Charles NJ. Pepper,
Washington newspaper correspondent,
who went to Cuba with the Commits
sioner.
Mr.. Calhoun said that the commission
had three sittings between May 2Oth and
June 1st-at Habana, Regla, and Guana-
bacoa. The papers examined in the case
were chiefly military records. The final
report will be made to Washington by
General Lee.
In conversation, Mr.. Calhoun said
THE Island Of Cuba is rapidly being
devastated by relentless, cruel and
bitter civil war, so ~ in a short time
II Will not be worth anything to any
one. 1t is difficult to get at the exact
situation there. In the first place. there
Is a severe censorship of the press. and
those who are naturally friendly 10 the
Cubans hardly dare to express their
views and opinions. Furthermore. the
adherents of both sides are exceedingly
intense. They tell their stories lust as
they want you to believe them. From
the Spanish point OF view. the island
is practically pacified, and from that OF
the Cubans, the insurgents were never
in such excellent shape as they now are"
Did you go into the interior of the
island?' asked the reporter.
''Yes, i went from Habana TO Matan-
Zas. While both are on the sea-coast.
still to go from one point to the other by
rail takes you through a large part of
the interior country. / also made several
short trips from Habana in other di-
rections."
What is the condition of the country"
1T seems 10 be entirely depopulated.
and there are no signs of any buildings
standing, except at the railroad stations.
These, by the way. are practically forts
l was generally informed that the same
condition of affairs exists throughout
Cuba from Habana TO Pinar del Rio
except in the extreme eastern end.
There is where the Cubans get their
supplies and their cattle. They control
that section now. 1t was the portion
of the island which held out ten years
in the last war.
Cuba Is undoubtedly n magnificent
country 1t is rich and beautiful, and
the soil responds bountifully to the seed.
NO FORMAL REPORT.
"While / am not called upon to make
any formal report 10 the President, be-
cause | acted merely as counsel TO
General Lee in the Ruiz case. still may
be asked TO tell Mr.. Mckinley and the
Secretary of State of things which 1
have seen and heard in my brief trip
to the Island of Cuba. In that case
will readily do so''
'At the sessions of the commission"
Mr.. Calhoun said, in response TO a re-
porter's questioning, I'VE examined seve-
raj witnesses, but when you ask me If
they were plentiful, i can only say that
tney did not run after us, and we had TO
use no force to keep them away They
were composed of Spar ards and Cubans.
The Spanish witnesses, and in fact all
Of those who testified. were so surround
ed with safeguards that II was impossi-
bic TO get at the naked truth. One per-
son whom we would have liked to hear
could not be found. This was Fonde-
viela. who commanded the Spanish i'm
he Guanabacoa territory. He did not ap-
him. aptain-General Weyler did not
put in appearance at the investigation.
We inspected the jail at Guanabacoa,
and when we were there 1t was sus-
clean.
eve learned that DIR. Ruiz was arrested
1n February 4th, charged with having
some connection with an assault
which took place in a railroad train be-
taween GuanabacOa and Habana. He
was placed In solitary confinement. or,
rs it is known there. he was 'incommu- |
licado.' Thirteen days later he was
aiken out of his cell, on account OF his |
mental and physical condition. 1t was |
hen found that he was suffering from |
| severe wound on the head and he |
lied two hours after he had been re- |
eased from the cell in which the secret |
" his injury is buried. The question. of |
he deceased Doctors American citizen
hip was never denied. The autopsy |
howed that he died from congestion of |
he brain His remains are inferred at
iuanabacoa.
1--WE had no positive or direct proof of |
ny assault whatever, and the conclusion
rrived at must be based on the detailed
vidence in the report of Consul-General
ZEE. which is now on its way TO Wash
lgton. /, myself, will make no report.
nd | prefer not 10 say anything as TO
" idea of the affair until the report is
lade public by the proper authorities at
81 shall 90 to Washington tomorrow
lorning at 10 o'clock"
Mr.. Calhoun said that he had been
reated courteously while in Cuba by all
hose with whom he came in contact.
lis visit was a very pleasant one, but
wing to the bad weather which prevailed
uring his stay, he Gas unable to visit
he interior.
Mr.. George w. Fishback. who is Mr..
alhoun's secretary, was reticent when
ooken to in reference to his trip. but he
,ade one significant statement: 1--WE
id not go within the insurgent lines,
ut all the insurgents, however, are not
-ithin the lines"
MAY MISS THE PRESIDENT.
ID. c.. June 7.-Mr. Cal
oun. the special counsel for the United
.ates in the Ruiz case, is expected here
,-morrow. In view of the fact that
lie President leaves Washington the day
blowing, for Nashville. IL is possible that
r. Calhoun viii be invited TO accom-
INV the President on the special train.
part of the way at least in order to
ford opportunity 10 make a verbal re-
,rt upon the results of his visit 10 Cuba.
here Is no expectation at the State
epartment that any immediate results
III follow Mr.. Calhoun's return, for
e preparation of his report Qf 1t is
emed best TO put his observations on
Lper, subject TO a congressional calD,
III probably consume some time.