San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-16
COLONEL RUIZ WARNED NOT
TO APPROACH THE INSUR-
GENT CAMPS.
Severe Fighting in Which The lnSur-
gents DO Heavy Execution.
Two FilituSteriGg EXle-
iitiOnS We're Successful
ly Landed.

New York, Dec. 16.-A special to
the Herald from Havana says:
Much anxiety is felt for the safety
of Col. Joaquin Ruiz, aid-de-camp to
Gen. Blanco, who, it is feared, has
met death as the penalty for bearing
a proposition for surrender to a rebel
camp. 1t seems that Col. Ruiz is q
personal friend of Col. Aranguren,
who was employed by him before the
war. when Col. Ruiz was the engin-
eer in charge of the Vento water
works. Recently under orders from
Gen. Blanco Col. Ruiz opened cores
dence with Col. Aranguren with
the object of arranging an interview.
Col. Aranguren wrote that he would
meet the colonel if he only wanted to
talk of personal affairs, to which the
colonel replied that he wished to talk
about political matters.
Colonel Aranguren wrote that he
would absolutely refuse him on these
conditions, and called his attention
earnestly to Gen. Gomez words that
all persons entering insurgents camps
to offer terms of surrender should be
put to death. He assured Col Ruiz
that he was prepared to carry the or
der to the letter, and while he esteem
ed him highly as an old friend, he
would hang him if he neglected the
warning.
In spite of this Col. Ruiz started
alone on Sunday for Col. Arrangements
camp, determined to risk all in the at
tempt. In leaving he said if he had
not returned by Tuesday night, he
may 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 in
to execution.
felt even in Cuban circles in Havana,
where Col. Ruiz was well known as
gallant soldier and an accomplish
ed gentleman. 1t is pointed out that
his death will have good effect, as
showing the indomitable spirit of the
insurgents.
Major Fernandez, better known as
Pitirre, the insurgent leader, who, ac.
cording to official reports, was slain
in a combat with Spanish troops, was
really killed while i'll and helpless,
awaiting an opportunity to surrender
to the autonomist Alcalde of Guines.
Pitirre being dangerously i'll applied
to an old friend to arrange terms for
his surrender. Senior Garcia caused
Pitirre to be taken to the Cancio es-
tate, near Guines, where he made him
comfortable and arranged to have
detail of Spanish troops sent to bring
him to the hospital in the town. In
stead, the Spanish troops went to the
estate and butchered the sick man in
his bed.
Senior Garcia is Infatuated at this
breach of faith and has declared his
intention of coming to Havana and
laying the matter before General
Blanco and demand the punishment Of
the officer responsible for the murder
The capture of Guisa, appears now
to be a more important insurgent sue
cess than was at first supposed. Adj
vices received at the junta state that
the insurgents captured go Winches-
tiers, 100000 cartridges, and ZIG pris-
oners.
General Calixo Garcia sent word to
Gen. Pando that he would only re-
lease the prisoners under solemn
pledge signed by Gen. Blanco that
they be sent back to Spain. He com
plains that after the capture of Las
Tunas, the prisoners released on par
ole were sent back to the ranks.
The insurgents in Matanzas have
more than six thousand men well
armed and confident of ultimate sue
cess. They are also well provided
with medicine and other necessities.
General Gomez is at La RefOrma,
where he has been for nearly a year.
Within the past four days two large