New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-28
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE EXECUTION OF COLONEL RUIZ
A STATEMENT OF FACTS THAT SHOW 1T WAS
UNAVOIDABLE.

UNAVOIDABLE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The execution Of Colonel Ruiz by the Cuban
patriots has given matter to many kinds OF COM
ments by the American press, some newspapers
going into Mysteries 10 the length OF advising that
the Cuhans should be treated pirates, etc. Let
STUDY. as briefly as possible the circumstances
attending this
The Cuban patriots have set up a Government
for themselves. /, matters not whether Il has
been recognized not by other Powers The
Cubans recognize Il. and this is enough for them
Article XI OF their Constitution. which all those
who side with the revolution have sworn 20 respect
obey and defend reads: The treaty OF peace with
Spain. which must necessarily have for rs basis
the absolute independence Of Cuba. must DO rail
fed by the Government Council" 1t was thus
established from the start that absolute indie
pendence' should be the sine qua OF any peace
agreement with Spain. This has been constantly
and necessarily repeated in every possible man
ner. When the Spanish Government, after the
f,ure OF the winter campaigns Of 1885 and
1896 80. and the sending OF over two hundred thou
sand soldiers TO Cuba. began to speak about grant
ing political reforms to Cuba the patriots an
swered IN the most emphatic and unequyoca!
manner that nothing short OF absolute independence
would make them lay down their arms. when
Weyler was recalled and General Banco was sent
to Cuba with the mission OF reversing. osiensiOIy,
the policy OF Wey.er, and TO offer a KIND oil au-
tonomy. and when the Spanish press began 20
the Cuban leaders issued strict orccra command
Ing their sub0rGinates 10 try as spies any one
approaching their camps with ohers OF autonomy
and to put them TO death. These DEGREES nave
been widely circulated and printed, even IN Ameri-
can papers. and the Spanish press has commented
upon this.
These the general facts of the case: That
Colonel Ruiz was unacquainted with the penalty
canno; be sustained for moment lie tried 10
avail himself OF Arangurcns friendship ID win the
young Cuban chief over to the Spanish cause lie
warned Ivy Aranguren not 20 take TIE .ataI
step as he should know what the consequences
would BE-. He did not heed his friends advice. ana
went Now. Ruiz was military man. ana ouBht
have known what military orders mean. ana
how military men have to act I'm such cases. Inc
Cuban war Is no childs play, and decrees are rot
issued 10 he set aside at the pleasure OF the irs-
conner. No military chic: in the world would tol-
crate any cmssary OK the enemy to come freely
among his and promote desertton, destroy
discipline and demoralIze them With oilers OF any
kind, No fair-m!nded person with any knowledse
OF military matters deny this. AranSurcn. who
a Few months ago made prisoners of fourteen Span
ish officers and set them at liberty next day. can
be accused OF being cruel ana oloodth.rsjy; and
by ordering the execution OF Colonel Ruiz he acted
as any military man would have dono in his place.
Perhaps no more than lie deplores what has
happened yes, the case may he Gcplored. but II
was justidabe. II was dire necessity-" Dura
lex. sed lex" FRANCISCO SFLLEN
New-York. Dec %. 1897