The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-12-24
HANGED BY Insurgents
Colonel Ruiz, a Spaniard,
Neglected a Warning.
WAS WELL LIKED IN HAVANA

WHS WELL IikEO TN HAVANA
The Penalty for Carrying a Proposition
for Surrender Into a Cuban Camp
Two Filibustering Expeditions Land.
New York, Dec. 2O.-A Herald dis.
patch from Havana says: Much anxiety
is felt for the safety of Lieutenant-Col-
onel Joaquin Ruiz, aide-de-camp to
General Blanco, who, it is said, has
met death as the penalty for bearing
proposition for surrender to a rebel
camp. 1t seems that Colonel Ruiz is
a personal friend of Colonel Aranguen.
who was employed by him before the
war, when Colonel Ruiz was engineer
in charge of the Vento water works.
Recently, under orders from General
Blanco, Colonel Ruiz opened CORE
spondence with Colonel Aranguen,
with the object of arranging an inter
view. Colonel Aranguen wrote that
he would meet the colonel if the latter
only desired to talk on personal affairs,
to which the colonel replied that he
wished to talk about political matters.
Colonel Aranguen wrote that he would
absolutely refuse to receive him on
these condition, and called his atten-
tion earnestly to General Gomez order
that all persons entering insurgent
camps to offer terms of surrender
should be put to death. He assured
Colonel Ruiz that he was prepared to
carry out Gomez orders to the letter,
and that while he esteemed him highly
as an old friend, he would hang him if
he neglected the warning.
In spite of this, Colonel Ruiz started
alone on Sunday for Colonel Aran-
guen's camp, determined to risk all in
the attempt. On leaving he said if he
had not returned by Tuesday night he
might be given up as dead. So far
nothing has been heard of him, and
there is little room for doubt that the
insurgent leader has put his threat
into execution.
If this be true, much regret will be
felt even in Cuban circles in Havana,
where Colonel Ruiz was we'll known as
gallant soldier and an accomplished
gentleman, but it is pointed out that
his death will have a good effect as
showing the indomitable spirit animat-
ing the insurgent leaders.
Major Fernandez, better known as
Pitore, the insurgent leader, who. ac-
cording to official reports, was slain in
combat with Spanish troops, was really
killed while i'll and helpless awaiting
an opportunity to surrender to Thomas
Garcia, recently autonomist alcalde OF
Guines, an old friend. Pitore being
dangerously ill, applied to him to ar.
range terms for his surrender. Garcia
caused him to be taken to the Cancio
estate, where he made him com Portable
and arranged to have detail of Spanish
troops sent to bring him to the hospital
in the town. Instead the troops went
to the country and butchered the man.
Senior Garcia is infuriated at this
breach of faith, and has declared his in
tention of coming to Havana to lay the
matter before General Blanco and de-
mand the punishment of the officer re-
sponsible for the murder.
The battle of Guisa appears now to
have been more important insurgent
success than was at first supposed. Adj
vices received by the junta state that
the insurgents captured 27O Mausers,
100000 cartridges and 116 prisoners.
General Calixoto Garcia has sent word
to General Pando that he will only re-
lease the prisoners under solemn pledge
signed by General Blanco that they
will be sent back to Spain. He COM
plains that after the capture of Las
Tunas the prisoners released ON parole
were sent back to the ranks.
The insurgents in Santa Clara prov
ince have more than 5000 men we'll
armed, and are confident of ultimate
success. They are also we'll provisioned
with medicine and other necessaries.
General Gomez Is at La Reforma,
where he has been for nearly a year.
Within the last four days two large
flibustering expeditions have safely
reached Cuba, one landing in Matanzas
province and the other at Baracoa, only
five leagues from Havana. They
brought clothing, medicines and dyna-
mite. The rebels are now using large
quantities of dynamite with consider
able effect.
General Pando, who is operating in
the east against General Garcia, has
asked for reinforcements, which have
been sent, several battalions being
Withdrawn from Pinar del Rio.
General Bernai has started across
Pinar del Rio to Cape Antonio, where
large body of rebels is congregated.
Reports from Guira de Melena state
that the rebels fired On the town almost
every night.
Rebels under Colonel Colazzo and
General Rodriguez surrounded Span
ish column yesterday at the Carmen
estate, Havana province. Spanish re-
Inducements arrived from Guines and
fierce engagement occurred. The
details are suppressed, but the loss is
admitted to be heavy on both sides.
Another engagement is reported to
have occurred December IA near Guira
de Melena between Morroto and Col
onel Arango's forces.