The record-union., 1897-04-21


ute till we heard the report of the ri
fies in Los Laureles, and knew it was
over Sometimes the prisoner was al
lowed to spend twelve hours or twenty
four hours in the chapel, according to
the nature of his sentence. Then he
went out with the Spanish soldiers.
There were some who went gladly,
sickened of life. All went bravely, as
have told you"
The soldier was interrupted many
times during this talk to receive the
embraces of friends, who literally flung
themselves upon his neck. He talked
freely of the sufferings of others. When
l asked his own he laughed.
There is little to tell of myself" he
said "Of course, 1 have old wounds.
They opened in prison, but they are
much better now 1 would not ask
for the doctors help there. He was
kind to me, but you see 1 was fortu-
nate. Mine was an exceptional case
in every way. l had rheumatism
from the dampness, and it gave me
considerable trouble from the first 1t s
strange thing, but that rheumatism
got better the day afer 1 was released
February 27th-and has troubled me
very little since Still, I went into
that prison a young man. 1 came out
an old one.
II am glad to be here for I have much
to do. I am sorry, but it is true, that
my release will make it worse for other
Americans who are in Cuban prisons
The influence used to get my freedom
makes the hate against Americans all
l q
it.
II have given no pledge to the Span
ish. / accepted my liberty on no con-
ditions I was condemned to imprison-
ment for life. 1t was committed to
Punishment If 1 return to Cuba I
take my life in my hands. That is all
right l have given no promises to
any one. What L shall do next it
is plain that I cannot tell you.
1.-The war will be over this year. I
am confident Of that. The cause has
progressed we'll Spain cannot af-
ford to push the fighting as it must
be pushed if Cuba is to be kept in
chains We grow stronger daily. We
have American sympathy. We hope
much from President Mckinley and
his administration. Let us ship arms
and ammunition and we will win. We
win be glad of other concessions, but
if we get only this one the war will
soon be ended.
1.-The new President can find no more
gallant American and no man who can
represent this country better than Gen
eral Lee. The feeling against former
President Cleveland and Mr.. Olney in
Cuba ic ct~Onp Rut for their 9ttitJde
toward the Spanish l and others should
have been free long ago. AS for Wey-
Ter. the belief in Cuba is that he will
soon leave the island. Even the Span
ish wish he would go. l will say moth
ing of the CubanS.
Il wish TO tell you something more of
General Lee. / was released at six
in the evening, and taken to my own
house by the police, who surrounded it.
General Lee sent me a. letter asking me
not to leave the house until morning,
and I obeyed. Next day. as l was be-
ing escorted to the steamer / got leave
to go to the American Consulate for a
moment to thank General Lee as best
| could He and his wife and daugh-
ter shook hands with me, and then
went on board / owe my life to him.
A resolution in the Senate demanding
my release and talking about sending
war ships to Havana had its effect upon
the Spanish, too 1t hurried them.
"Dr. Ruiz was assassinated No
one doubts it. He was struck on the
head and died from the blow, as Gen
eral Lee learned. OF course, l have
no personal knowledge of the facts, as