New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-22
T. ESTRADA PALMA on RUIZ.
THE HEAD OF THE CUBAN JuNrA TRIES 10
JUSTIFY THE KILLING OF THE
SPANISH OFFICER
To the Editor Of The Tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The death OF Colonel Ruiz did no, occur -
the Spanish have put II, while he was negotiating
as peace messenger under a flag of truce Again
and again have the Cubans promulgated the law
that all who should come them with peace promo.
stions not based on the independence Of Cuba
should be treated as spies and dealt with according
ly Colonel Ruiz only knew of the existence Of
the law. but, according to the Spanish accounts,
was personally warned his fate. General
Blanco and Secretary-General Congosto too were
well aware OF the existence Of the decree. Never.
theess these latter took advantage Of the unfortu.
nate Quixotism OF Colonel Ruiz. and sent him to
the Cuban lines. The blood OF Colonel Ruiz Is not
on the hands OF the Cubans, but upon the heads Of
Blanco and Congosto. who sent him to his fate
II the penalty Of the law had not been carried into
effect doubtless Spain would have taken advantage
Of the fact 10 show that the Cubans were not In
earnest IN their rejection OF autonomy absolutely.
but were willing 10 listen to arguments. This de-
cree was not promulgated because the Cubans are
afraid OF disaffecton in their ranks but because Il
: known that innumerable commissioners would
otherwise be sent. and on their return make false
statements encouraging the belief that peace might
Dc established on basis other than independence.
Sneh statements would only serve the interests Of
tnousands owing TO the useless prolonga!ion OF the
Sar Besides the cn5ans are advised that the
with the purpose OF disseminating the more impor.
our hands. and are the more cautious when we
remember that in 1873 General Banco authorized
IN Santiago, CUBA, TO execute
as many unarmed Cubans as the latter thought
necessary as an example 1t is somewhat remark.
able that with the first news OF the death OF Colo
mel Ruiz came the announcement OF the killing By
the Spanish OF over forty sick and wounded Cubans
found in hospital and not voice was raised In
protes; therea The shooting Of Cuban prisoners
by the score passed almost without comment; the
thousands Of wounded Cuban soldiers slain in hos
pitfalls attract but little notice IL is so common
According 20 az. the laws OF civilized warfare the
Cubans from the beginning had the right retaliat0
in kind. but they never have done On the con-
trary. all prisoners taken by them set at lib.
erty and the wounded attended TO. We are denied
by the entire world a status as belligerents and
might therefore claim that have not the obliEa.
lions to conduct the war as beigerents. but we do
not intend 10 take this stand, either The condi-
tons obtaining In Cuba and the character OF the
Spanish demand. however. that take the neces-
sary measures speedily 20 terminate the war by
convincing the world that Independence alone can
satisfy We accordingly issue a decree and
solemnly Spain OF its enactment II, despite
this warning. they persuade a 10 be rash
enough 20 come TO US TO treat on the basis Of
autonomy We either acknowledge that our
laws made only 20 be broken or be compelled By
painful duty 10 carry ii into effect. II is ques-
ton OF the lives OF two rash men or Of the
lives OF thousands CT patriotic Cubans.
I. ESTRADA PALMA
New-York Dec 81 1897.