Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-26

Gomez. in his camp. The Lucha praises
it as a journalistic feat, but strongly
criticises the step, as II says 1t places the
government in a grave position, in view
Of the fact that Sylvester Scoyel, an
American correspondent, is now imprison-
ed for Committing the same crime"
MRS. RODRIGUEZ.
ConsuI-GeneraI lee has obtained the
consent Of the Marquis de Ahumada. who
is now acting in the place Of Captain
General weyler. to thSreturn to her for
mer home in the United States, Of Mrs.
Rodriguez, who was recently arrested in
Puerto Principe because her husband was
a rebel.
The Venezuelan general. Fernando AL
varez. and thre other men who were ar
rested in a boat from a ilibustring expe-
dition a year ago have been tried by
court-martial at Santiago de Cuba, and
sentenced to life-imprisonment.
The lawyer who has been acting for Julio
Sanguilly, the American citizen who is
now under sentence of life-imprisonment.
has withdrawn the appeal that was sent
to Madrid.
Consul General Springer arrived
here to-day.
GENERAL LEES POSITION.
CStephen Bonsal in New York Herald)
General Lee has stated publicly his
platform. He will not and ne cannot,
have another Ruiz murder If the Pres-
dent can send one-or If Mr.. Olney
wants to, and If the people Of the United
States cannot stop him-General Lee re-
quests that another Consul-General be
sent TO Habana. He cannot, and WILL
not, accept any share of the blood guilt
ness that will fall upon the American
Consul General here who stands by and
raises not a finger to prevent the per-
petration of such atrocities. The half
way measure which the Spanish Govern
ment has adopted of releasing Scott from
solitary confinement does not, in Gene
raj Lees opinion, change the situa-
ton in the slightest degree He has
stated the facts and outlined his policy
to the department, upon the adoption
of which he will consent 10 remain IN
Habana. He has asked that he be IN
structed 10 demand of the Spanish au-
thorities here the immediate release or
all prisoners who are in jail in denance
of our treaty rights and Spanish laws
-
whose cases bear the same Characters
tics Of illegaity which appear in the
Scott and Ruiz cases. He has asked for
these instructions-for the authority 10
make these demands-and he has re-
quested that feet be placed at his dis
posal TO enforce them, should such neces-
sity arise
General Lee has not sprung an issue
upon the department. He has adopted
the only course an honorable man could
take under the circumstances. lie mas
informed the people Of the United states
what is being done and what is being
left undone by their representatives in
their names.
NO WASHINGTON POLICY.
The government in Washington has. up
10 this-Wednesday mOrning-failed TO
announce its policy. 1t has neither sus-
tanned nor disayowed the action OF Gene
raj Lee but it is forewarned that. II IL
adopts the policy OF ignominy and sur
render, IL will have to choose another
instrument TO execute it. General Lee
is patiently waiting for a decision to be
reached. If it be adverse to him, and
TO his conception of the duties con-
suar officer abroad owes TO his country,
and to his fellow-ctizens, he Will gladly
return to his plantation, in Virginia.
General Lee cannot and will not be an
accessory to any government, kepuDllcah
or Democratic which shuts It's eyes at
an atrocity like this murder OF Or. kuiL.
He will be true TO the trust and con-
fdence that has been reposed in him; and
he will not prove recreant to the tradi-
tions of his country or Of his name.
The issue is clear. The country knows
the facts. VIII the people permit another
murder? VIII they allow General Lee 10
leave Habana for want Of support? While
the country has been stirred to the core,
and all men Of flesh and blood and sinew
have been boiling at the news OF this
terrible atrocity, for which il is directly
responsible. the State Department and
Olney have remained absolutely passive.
As wired you on Saturday, Mr.. Olney
has demanded both here and I'm Madrid
an explanation and an investigation or
the manner in which DR. Ruiz met his
death and TO his demand the Captain
General has acquiesced, in 50 far as ne
has stated that an investigation will be
held; but the order has not yet been is
sued Precious time is being lost, and
II investigation be held under Spanish
auspices. no witnesses will be forth
coming unless il be made perfectly clear
that they are TO be protected by the
power Of the United States, and they
would be fools II they did.
No Americans life or property viii be
worth five minutes purchase until the
North Atlantic squadron appears or
Moro Castle with instructions suitable
TO the gravity Of the situation. The
State Department has not disavoWed
General Lees action. nor has it sus-
tanned him. but il has hampered him
bv its absolute policy Of shilly shally,
Col 10 Of
great importance and moment. They
have cabled a few bubbles and legal
doubts as to the status Of the late DR..
Ruiz and Of Scott, who is as yet alive.
Mr.. OLNEYS DOUBTS.
Mr.. Olney seems inclined to doubt whe-
ther Ruiz was or whether Scott Is an
American citizen.
DR.. Ruiz was undoubtedly citizen In
good standing. He had satisfied every
requirement Of our naturalization laws
fully. openly and before all the world,
and he had been admitted TO the rights
of citizenship as fully as though he nad
had the good fortune TO be born under
the stars and Stripes. When he re-
turned 10 Cuba twelve years ago, he
filed his papers and registered at the
Consulate. No one then or since ever
told him that If he remained away from
the country Of his adoption FOR a GER
tain period of years his right to Ameri-
can citizenship would lapse, and there
Is no law TO be found on the statute
hooks which gives Mr.. Olney or anybody
else the authority 10 make such state
nent or to announce such policy.
DIR. Ruiz was an American citizen-a
much better one and one OF whom we
could better afford TO be proud than many
"a native-born cluzen During twelve
wears his name has remained on the
registry OF the consulate here, and not
the slightest. not even the most trivial
charge was ever advanced by the Spanish
against him, nor on any occasion ala ne
81 of the consulate exceptional treat
-. -. ,,,a.;. I favorg He observed the