The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-22
United States Demands TO Know
How Ruiz Died.
BEATEN TO DEATH IN PRISON.
His Face Crushed Inta pulp-ropsuy
General Lee Held Back Thtrty-six
Hours Before He Nas Allowed 70
View the Remains-Hs VIII Re-
sign Unless the Government Re-
leases Americans Locked Tn in
Spanish Dungeons.

NEw YORK. Feb. IA dispatch 20
the Herald from Washington says; The
administration is determined 20 have a
FUN investigation OF all the circumstances
surrounding the deata 81 DIT Ricardo
Ruiz. the American dentist who was re-
Gently found dead IN a prison al Guiana
beco&. Cuba. The question OF reparat.on
Il the facts Justify Il, viii follow the in
vestigatloa. Secretary OIney has sent a
cable dispatch "a Minister Taylor. in
Madrid. informing him that pr. Ruiz
died under suspicious circumstances. and
directing him to inform the spanish gov
eminent that the United States desires a
FUN inquiry into the affar.
In the meantime Consul General Lee is
prosecuting his inquiry. and Just "A soon
his reply is az hand Il VIII he consid-
cred. with a view 70 defining the policy of
the administration In the matter.
The only word received from Consul
General Lee is contained IN TWO dis
patches. one informing the department OF
Or. Rutz' arrest, and the second announc-
ing his death in the Guanabacoa jail un-
der suspicious circumstances The last
dispatch called for reply. IN which the
consul general was instructed 10 make
prompt and full investigation. and the
further instruction 10 Minister Taylor
stated above.
The Ruiz incident has considerably agi-
tated public men here. and IL Is expected
that resolution will be introduced In
both houses of congress calling upon the
state department for all the facts in the
case. The present administration can
hardly do more IN the short time IL has
than to get the investigation well under
way. But appreciating how sensitive the
American public is upon questions OF
outrages upon our citizens, Ii viii be the
purpose Of Secretary Olney TO see that an
absolutely fair and impartial report is
made by our representative in Cuba.
While the Ruiz affair might ultimately
form the basis for a possible rupture be-
tween the United States ana Spain. IL IS
not likely TO come during the present ad-
ministration. II the new administration
desires TO depart from diplomatic means
for securing better treatment " Ameri-
cans, the present administration will leave
al its disposal iine fleet of warships near
Havana 10 back up any demand that may
be made.
1t was further denied at the White House
that any request has come from Consul
General Lee for warships. or that there
was any intention of sending warships TO
Havana.
The report OF the Spanish investigation
expected to be set on foot as a result OF
Mr.. Taylor's representation IS anticipated
by state department authorities. II viii be
claimed that Ruiz died from natural causes
and testimony TO this effect will be secured
srom numerous witnesses that the authori-
ties In Cuba are able 10 procure and which
viii be sufficient 10 offset any evidence
that may be obtained from the United
States.
State department officials say that the
case OF Ruiz is very Ike that or S. \.
Lopez. an American citizen, who General
Lee reported was victim Of Spanish brll-
al {fs xzras AT haF hn
Madrid officials In rebuttal the Spanish
officers offered the report made by their
representatives. General Lee could make
only a bare statement Of the facts as he
found them. and could not quote any per-
son as responsible for his Information. be-
cause OF the fear that his informant would
be subjected TO Imprisonment. which In
the Ruiz case was preliminary TO death.
on the other hand the Spanish report
was fled with the sworn statement OF
those who Gen. Lee declares were resp0n-
sibe for the death OF Lopez and others.
who the Spanish authorities claim have
no Interest in the matter. Against this
mass OF evidence Consul General Lees
word IS naught
Whatever may be the result OF the In
vestigation In the Ruiz case. there Is a
pressing demand from congress for more
complete details IN this and other cases OF
American prisoners in Cuba.
Lee Would Resign.
NEW YORK. Feb. "A dispatch 20 the
Herald from Havana says.
Secretary OF State Oiuey has demanded
from here and Madrid a fllil explanation
and prompt Investigation of the death of
Ricardo Ruiz. The status OF the case is
unchanged.
Gen Lee has asked that he oe instruct
ed to demand the release OF al American
citizens who are held IN Cuba under cir
cumstances similar 20 those which charac-
terszed the RUIZ case These instructions
will have to Be forthcoming. or new
consul general sent 10 Havana. Cen. Fitz-
hugh Lee. the descendant OF two s.gners
OF the declaration Of independence cannot
and Will a0t-T speak with authority-al-
low his name 20 be associated glth a pol
icy OF ignoniny and surrender"
ND DETgy WAS AITpDEpEn