The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-21
He Is Reported to Have Reqested that
Part of Uncle Sans Navy Be
Sent to Cuba at Once.
REBUFFED BY THE SPANIARDS
WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO INVESTI-
GATE DIR. RUIZ'S DEATH.
NaturaIized American Reported tC
Have Been Murdered i'm Prison
battles i'm Cuba.

NEW YORK, Feb. 20.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Jacksonville says: Consul
General Lee has requested in urgent terms
that the United States government send
war ships to Cuba because of the attitude
of the Spanish authorities in relation to
the alleged murder of Dr. Ruiz. an Amer
lean dentist, in the Guanabacoa prison.
According TO a II Hss~suk dispatch to the
Herald, printed in Saturday mornings
paper, DR.. RUIZ was beaten to death
last Wednesday. DR.. Ruiz, who studied
and practiced dentistry in Philadel-
phia for many years, was arrested
some ten days ago. and charged
with having helped Aranguerens band
to dera:l a train several weeks ago,
when two Spanish officers were captured
The charge was OF the fimsiest character.
as everyone in Guanabacoa knew that Ruiz
attended strictly TO his business and took
no interest in political revolutionary
movements. The Spanish authorities, as
usual. failed to notify the consul general of
the step they had taken, and General Lee
only learned from unofficial sources of the
high-handed step that had been taken. OF
course. the crime of which Ruiz was guilty
was American citizenship, and for this he
has now been done to death in a most bru-
tai and inhuman manner When the sew
enty-two hours had elapsed during which
by Spanish law, prisoners may be kept in
accessible. General Lee demanded that a
lawyer and a representative of the consul
late be admitted TO see the prisoner. The
State Department was informed of the sit
uation by General Lee, but he received no
reply. General Lee informed this
morning of the facts, and left this after
noon to investigate matters. General Ahu-
mada has not yet sent General Lee the re-
quisite permit. and though three urgent
cablegrams have been sent by him to the
State Department the proper instructions
which the situation demands are not yet
forthcoming. Whether instructed not,
General Lee will take all the steps which
the situation demands and perform his duty
TO his fellow-citizens
The New York Worlds correspondent at
Washington says: Consul General Lee
cabled from Havana to the State Depart
ment this afternoon that he had
made a formal request of act
ing Captain General Ahumada for
permission to exhume the body of DR..
Ricardo Ruiz, an American dentist who was
found dead in "a prison at Guanabacoa. The
guards alleged that DR.. Ruiz committed
suicide, but information was conveyed to
General Lee that he was murdered. 1t was
desired TO disinter the body to determine
whether IL was case of murder or sui
eide. Geleral Lee reported that his re-
quest. in every way reasonable and made
in the usual manner, was refused and all
his efforts to have the refusal rescinded had
proved unavailing. He asked instructions
from the State Department as TO the course
he should pursue. At the same time he eX
pressed strong Indignation and character
lied the acting captain generals attitude as
without justification. Assistant Secretary
Rockhill Immediately laid the communica-
tion before Secretary Olney, and in the
next hour and half three four CONSUL
tations ere held on the subject. General
Lee was directed 10 renew his request for
the exhurning of the body of DIR. Ruiz and
10 insist upon compliance with his demand.
In less than two hours after the receipt
OF General Lees cablegram Secretary OIL
ney went to the executive mansion. Later
the matter was called TO the attention OF
Senior De LONE, the Spanish minister. with
the request that he straightway have his
government instruct its representatives in
Cuba 10 give full recognition to the rights
of the American consul"