The herald., 1897-05-28
BUT EVIDENCE is At HAND
As TO THE CAUSE OF THE DOC
TORS DEATH
An Important Cuban Conference Will
Be Held Next week-sherman
:. Approves the Plans
Associated Press Special Wire.

the journal from havana, via Key west,
saye: The Congosto-Lee commission of
inquiry into the Ruiz case has 30 far
accomplished nothing. When the Con-
sui General, accompanied by Commits
sioner Calhoun and Secretary Fish
back, went over to Guanabacoa, they
found that everything had been cut and
dried by Commissioner Congosto and his
Spanish coadjutors there. The prison
ers. political and criminal, in the jail
where Ruiz met his death, who are usu-
ally kept In close confinement, were
walking about the yard. promptly lined
up, anxious. apparently, to earn the
pardons reported to have been promised
them to perjure themselves in Spain's
favor If called to the witness stand by
any member OF the commission. Congos-
to wished to paes lightly over the orig
Americans. to the effect that whatever
might be the manner in which Ruiz met
his death, his end came while illegally
and secretly held incommunicado in a
military prison, beyond the limit speci-
fed by the treaty and, therefore, in vio-
lation of the same. and make the sec
ondary question, that Of his illegal as
sassination, the whole issue.
Supported by Calhoun, Lee opposed
this the discussion with Congosto and
HE counsel becoming quite heated before
the meeting was closed.
After returning to Havana, Lee and
Calhoun sent note to Congosto demand
Ing that the original evidence taken by
civil as we'll as military authorities in
the Ruiz case. including the written dec
larations of witnesses called in such pre-
liminary proceedings. be supplied TO
Secretary Fishback for translation into
English. for examination by counsel be-
fore the next meeting Of the commission.
Congosto replied that all these original
documents had gone to Madrid some time
ago. Since this response came, however,
by mutual agreement, certified copies
have been accepted and are under exam
ination. But there is nothing but the
assurance of Judge Vidal and other
Spanish court officials to show that these
papers supplied are genuine and ver-
batim extracts from the records for the
Americans have been offered no oppor-
tunity to personally examine the
archives 04a~
1t is believed in view Of all this that
Lee and Calhoun will not ask to have
any other witness summoned or put
any cross-questions to others that Con-
gosto may call, the documentary evi-
dence on hand being regarded as quite
sufficient, after exceptions be noted, to
justify the American contention as to
fragrant violation Of the treaty, and
warrant Lees original assertion that
the prisoner died from harsh treatment
while illegally incommunicado.
Calhoun will linger here until Thurs
day of next week and return per d.
rect New York steamer.
Havana's new Governor, the Marquis
de 'Palmerola, is determined that no
harm shall come to McKinley's COM
missioner. AS a precaution Police In
spector Escanta and half dozen se-
cret service men in citizens clothes dog
Calhoun's footsteps all day long and
watch his hotel at night.
People seen talking with him are like
wise spotted, their names obtained and
the gist of their conversation, if these
government spies be able to catch it,
reported at once to the palace. Many
members Of this special detective force
understand English and they appear
especially alert when any Cuban resi-
dent or American newspaper corre-
spondent Is seen to approach Calhoun.
PERFECTLY SAFE
HAVANA, May 27.-Spanish officials
ridicule the allegations setting forth
that the lives of the United States con-
suls are In danger and they point to the
fact that w. J. Calhoun, the United
States commissioner, who is investigat-
ing the death of DR.. Ruiz; Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee, the United States consul-general,
and DR.. Jose Congosta, the Spanish con-
sui at Philadelphia, were entertained
last night as special guests of the Mill
tary club of this city. There, the Span
lard adds, the United States offisials
were the object of distinguished and
courteous attention at the hands of the
prominent Spanish civil and military
officials present.
FOOLISH THREATS
HAVANA. May 27.-El Diario de la
Marina, in a leading editorial, says: We
see in the American newspapers evil
dcnce' that there are certain social
classes in the United States not suffi-
GENTLY alive to the Importance of the
advice, Don't monkey with the lion's
tail.' w
These classes are remarkable for the
eagerness with which they usurp jur-
isdiction in affairs which, like the Cuban
war, are exclusively the affairs of Spain.
The persistence with which they are
recognizing the belligerency of the in
surgents is crazy and ridiculous. The
important Conservative interests of the
United States should not forget that the
patience of Spain may soon become ex-
hausted. The Spanish government has
given abundant proofs Of it's goodwill
by ignoring the many Inconvenience
that have been caused by resolutions
in Congress Those interests ought to
be thankful to us for our abnegation.
We have suffered. But in case the sword
should be unsheathed Spain would GER
tainly not be the heaviest loser in the
fight.
, Spain has sent two hundred thousand
soldiers to settle domestic difficulty.
What would she not do in the event of
a foreign war with the nation which
for a century has abused our patience
by ignoring Spanish honor and chiv-
alry7, President Mckinley did consider
this carefully. and II he Is to deal with
US as enemies, let him take the adyica