Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-23
GEN. LEE DENIES II.
REPORT THAT HE HAD ASKED ron
A wARsHIP INconRECr.
RUIZ AND SCOTT AFFAIRS
Friction between Spanish oaiciaIs
and Our Representative at Hanana.
NO Danger, However, Probably, ef
international Complications.

HABANA, February 2e.-Thc report that
United States Consul-GencraI Frtzhrzh
Lee has requested his government to send
warship to enfotce his demands in re-
gard TO the killing OF Ruiz and the arrest
Oh scott, both American citizens ia d.n,sd
oy General Lee himself The case ~ scott
VIII be the subject OF an interviews ba-
tween Consui-General Lee and tho Mar.
quls OF Ahumada, the acting Captai,.
General, to-day, when General Lee win de-
ihand scotts release. or. at least. that he
De freed from the State OF 'incommant-
cado'' in which he is now placed.
THE RUIZ AFFAIR.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., February y II,
Is said at the State Department that CON-
SUI Lee who Is investigating the Ruiz az
iair at Guanabacoa, Cuba, under orders
OF the department, has not yet reported
the results of his Inquiry: also. THAT fhera
Is no truth I'm the report that General Lea
mad notified the department that he wo,,s
resign unless the administration shou,a
support him with a naval demonstration
In Cuban waters.
There has long been some friction be-
tween the Spanish officials I'm Cuba ami
Consul-General Lee whenever the latter
was Obliged to Intervene I'm favor of ar
Rested American citizens. This has grown
out OF radical difference I'm construction
placed upon the organic law.
The State Department has instructed ths
Consul-General to insist upon his right TO
nave arrested Americans released at the
END OF period OF detention OF seventy
two hours. or else that they be confronted
with formal charges But on occasions
when the Consul-General claimed this
privilege for an imprisoned American citi-
zen, the Spanish officials, from the Can
tain-GeneTal down, set up the plea that
In times of strife like this the civil code
was suspended, and with II the privileges
claimed
The state Department has consistently
disputed this plea. because to concede tho
soundness OF II would be to renounce an
right to protect American citizens I'm a
disturbed country
1t is said that the Spanish officials are
at no pains to take notice OF an appeal
based on American citizenship. or TO re-
port the fact that they have arrested an
American citizen to the American consular
officers.
NO COMPLICATIONS
High officials Of the administration say
that II is not at all likely that the case
Of DR.. Ruiz Will lead TO international
complications. The matter was brought
to the attention Of the State Department
in the latter part of the past week,
through complaint Of some of the friends
Of the Doctors in this country. The alle-
cation was that the man had been i'm
prisoned beyond the period allowed by
treaty for an American citizen 20 be kept
In jail without she lodgment Of charges.
and that he had been murdered by his
jailers.
Consul-General Lee was Immediately di-
rected by cable to investigate the AFFAIR,
although 1t appeared from his dispatches
that he had already had his attention di-
rected to the case. The official reports OF
the Spanish officers are said TO show that
Ruiz committed suicide while in jail. but
this has not yet been communicated to the
Department of State. Meanwhile, Consul
General Lee is investigating the matter.
and the State Department is awaiting his
report
In the absence OF this, the department.
officials feel no apprehension OF any COM
plications, and all stories that warships
have been called for by General Lee. or
that this government is making ready to
take forcible measures In the case are
without foundation.