Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-02-27
TIME FOR ACTION
Consul-General Lee Aroused BIZ
DIR. Ruiz Murder.
The spaniards Call 1t "SuIcide," But tina,
Doesn't GO-Gen. Lee VIII Have Ad-
ministratiOn Backing In Ills
Efforts or Resign.

KEY WEST, Fla, Feb. 22.--Accordinp
TO all accounts Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and
the spaniards had lively time at Ha-
Vana yesterday. 1t all grew out of the
continued ill-usage of American prison
ers by the Spanish officials, and their
persistent disregard of Gen. Lee and
ms remonstrances. 1t was brought to
head, as already stated, by the recent
suicide" of DR.. Ruiz. This American
citizen was arrested and committed
TO dungeon not long ago charged
with the usual fictitious crime of ''con-
spiracy," or something akin to it. Gen.
Lee saw DR.. Ruiz at once, and was con-
vinced of his innocence. His remon-
strances to the Spanish officials met
no replies, and Ruiz was still held in
prison without any signs of the civil
trial to which he was entitled.
Last week Gen. Lee was greatly sur
prised to be informed that Ruiz had
committed suicide, and he investi-
gated. But he was not allowed to
see the body, nor were any friends Of
the dead American permitted to attend
the funeral. This Gen. Lee thought
strange. Later, secret intelligence re-
garding the matter came to him, and
he asked that the body be exhumed and
an autopsy performed. This request
the Spaniards refused.
Gen. Lee referred the case to Secre-
tary Olney, with his suggestions, and
what he had learned. 1t is reported
that Secretary Olney told him that he
was right, and to go ahead. This he
did, with a persistence that won him
the day. Finally, much against their
will, the Spanish officials allowed the
body to be taken up,the remains were
taken to Guanabacoa yesterday, and it is
understood that the post-mortem was
performed in the office Of Maj. Fonde-
veilla, Weyler's assistant butcher" as
he is called by the Cubans. Gen. Lee
and several others connected with the
consulate were present, and a dozen
Spanish officers. An American physi-
clan was in attendance, but he was not
permitted to do any of the work. The
post-mortem did not show Or prove any
murder, but it did not prove that DR..
Ruiz had committed suicide: in fact, all
the suppositions were against it. But
the Spanish officers hurried it through,
and thought that Lee would be salts
fed.
1t is stated that the conversation be-
tween Lee and the Spanish officers was
not at all times up to the polite" limit
as Gen. Lee was greatly vexed over
their indifference. He told them what
he thought of the matter, and they
parted not on the best of terms. On his
return it is reported that Lees long
sufference and forbearance broke loose
and he determined to make n stand al
once that would settle the question OF
American rights in Cuba. 1t is said
that he cabled Secretary Olney and
| President Cleveland that there were
scores of Americans imprisoned in Span
ish dungeons for little or no cause; that
it was impossible to get fair trial
for them, and that it was time to dc
something to aid them and secure fail
treatment for his fellow-citizens. He
requested the administration to stand
behind him, and he would make a de-
mand upon the Spanish officials for the
instant release or the promise of 9
speedy civil trial for all Americans now
in Spanish jails. 1t is added that he
stated in plain language to them botl
that if this was not done he would re
sign at once. War ships would b.
needed to bring this about and Gen
Lee mentioned this as something thai
should be ordered Immediately.
Gen. Lees tone was courteous but
plain in its official way, and firm. i
caused sensation, it is stated, in Wash
ington, and the cable has been brisk al
day with messages to and from Hayan;
and Washington. The Spaniards arr
aware of what is going on, and the mar
quis of Ahumada has wired Weyler thu
status of affairs. What will be done il
the next "a hours will settle the case
Gen. Lees friends say that h'
has waited until his patience has givcl
out entirely. He has seen American
scorned and insulted, and all his remon
strances have been treated with sean
respect, and he is not the man to stan'
it. II the administration will not bacl
him up, then, according to these re
ports, Lee will get out at once, leaving
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