Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-12-17
MANEUVERS IN CUBA,
Probable Fate of a Spanish
Colonel.
HIS DOOM WAS A JUST ONE.
Sp anish Prisoners Will Henceforth
Be Returned to Spain.

New YORK. Dec. ia Herald dis
patch from Havana says:
Much anexiety is felt for the safety
of aforementioned Joaquin Ruiz,
aide de camp to General Blanco, who,
it is said. has met his death as the
penalty for bearing a proposition for
surrender to rebel camp. 1t seems
that Colonel Ruiz is personal friend
of Colonel Arapguen. who W9S en-
ployed by him before theswar, when
Colonel Ruiz was engineer in charge OF
the Vento water works.
Recently, under orders from Gen
eral Blanco, CoIonel Ruiz opened cor
respondence with Colonel Aranguen,
with the object of arranging an in
teryiew. 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 conditions
and called his attention earnestly to
General Gomez order shat, all per-
sons entering insurgent camps to offer
Germs of surrender sh; uld be put to
death. He assured Coronel Ruiz that
orders to the letter, aud that while he
esteemed him highly as an old friend,
he would hang him If he neglected tho
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 Lhe
lnsurgent leader has put his threat
into execution.
!: If this be true, much regret Will be
felt, even in Cuban circ es in Havanai
where Colonel Ruiz was we'll known
as a gallant soldier and an accom-
plished gentleman, but it is pointed
out that his death VIII haye a good
effect as showing the indomitaole
pirit animating the insurgent leaders.
Major Fernandez, better known as
Pitore, the insuIgent 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 autopom-
ist alcade of Guines, an old friend.
Pitore being dangerously i'll, applied
TO him TO arrange terms for his sur
render. Garcia caused him to be
taken to the Cancio estate, where he
made him comfortable and arranged
to Eaye a 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 infurlated at this
breach Of faith, and has declared his
intention OF coming 10 HaYana 10 lay
the matter before General Blanco,
and demand the punishment or the
officer responsible for the murder
| The battle OF Guisa appears now TO
have been a more important insurgent
success than was at first suppO ID.
Adyices received at the junta state
| that the insurgents captured 2lO
Mausers, 100000 cartridges and llv
prisoners. General CaliXtO Gracia has
sent word to General PandO that he
will only release the prisoners under
solemn pledge signed by General
BlancO that they shall be sent back
to Spain. He complaines that after
the capture of Las Tunas the prison
ers released on parole were sent bank
to the ranks.
The Insurgents Of SAINT Clara prov
| ince have more than 6OOO men vel
armed and are confident OF ultimate
success. The are also well prOylslOnec
with medicine and other necessaries
Genera! Gomez is at La Reform,
where he has been for nearly year.
Within the last four days two large
fllibusterIng expeditions have safely
reached Cuba, one landing la Matan-
Zas province and the other at BaracOa
only five leagues from Havana. They
brought clothing, medicines and dyDa'
mite. The rebels are now using large
quantities OF dy Mantle with consider
able effect.
General Pedro, who Is operating Ia
the east against General Garcia, ha:
asked for TeinfOrcements, which have
sent several battaliOns being with
drawn from Pinar del Rio.
] General Bernal has started across