The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-06-17
4 COMPLICATED CASE.
State Department Has Two
Reports on Ruiz Matter.
LENGTHY NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD
Mr. Calhoun Will Remain in Washinp.
ton to Further Enlighten the De-
partment on Cuban Affairs.

Washington, June 11.-Mr. Calhoun,
the special counsel to Consul General
Lee, had another conference with Presi-
lent Mckinley today. Mr.. Calhoun
had nothing to add to what he already
aad given to the newspapers.
1t was learned this afternoon that
the department of state is in possession
OF two distinct reports bearing on the
Ruiz case. They were brought to
Washington by Mr.. Fishback, the Sec
etary to Mr.. Calhoun, and handed to
Assistant Secretary Day. One of these
'eports was made by Consul General
Lee, and has been fully set out in the
newspapers. The other report, really
the original, was joint production
signed by Consul General Lee and by
DR.. Congosta, the Spanish consul at
Philadelphia, who, with General Lee,
constituted special commission to in
vestigate the conditions surrounding
he death of DIR. Ruiz.
In this report, the two commissioners
went as far as they could together,
which necessarily. confined them to a
mere statement of the facts that are not
subject to controversy. Failing to
agree upon statement of the causes
which led to Ruiz death, the commits
sioners signed the document at this
point, and then, by supplemental re-
ports to their own governments, set out
statements which they could not agree
20 include in the original report.
The published report of General Lee
was one of these supplemental reports,
md it is probable that the Spanish
government has one intended to con-
trovert it, made by DR.. Congosta.
With all of this literature on the SUBJ
ject in possession of the two govern
nents, the possibilities of prolonged
negotiations are promising.
After his conference with Assistant
Secretary Day, Mr.. Calhoun decided to
lelay his departure from Washington,
and, instead of starting for his home in
Danville this afternoon, he will not go
until tomorrow. This will afford time
Cor further discussion between the
assistant secretary and the special coun-
sci concerning Cuban affairs.
The publication of the Lee report in
advance of its reception at the state
department has given much annoyance
to the officials, and probably will be
made the subject of quiet inquiry,
inasmuch as it is believed that the
position of our government in the nego-
tiations, which are sure to follow with
Spain, is weakened by thus putting it's
case in possession of the other side.
Secretary Fishback Interviewed.
New York, June 11.-George w.
Fishback, secretary of the commission
appointed to investigate the death of
Dr. Ruiz in Cuba, arrived here tonight
from Washington. In an interview
regarding the work of the commission,
Mr.. Fishback said:
General Lees personal report needs
no comment. Mr.. Calhoun's report
practically embodies the same conclu-
sions as those in General Lees personal
report. It could not do otherwise af-
ter an impartial review of the case.
Mr.. Calhoun's conversation with Presi-
dent Mckinley was confined almost en-
tirely to verbal explanations of the
Ruiz matter. Mr.. Calhoun will return
to Washington next week, and then
will thoroughly discuss the general con-
dition of Cuba with the president.