The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-06-10
VIM. ]. CALHOUN RETURNS
MISSIONER ARRIVED AT NEW
YORK YESTERDAY.
An ACCOUNT OF THE INVESTIGATION
The Truth Was Hard to Get At
Spanish Witnesses Hid Out
and Others Testified
Very Guardedly.

New York, June I.-Wllllam j. Cal
hOun, who was sent to Cuba as a special
commissioner to investigate the circum-
stances in the case of the death in prison
of DR.. Ruiz, an American citizen, reached
this city on his return today. He was ac-
companied by George w. Fishback, his
secretary, and Charles NJ. Pepper, Il Wash
ington newspaper correspondent. who
went to Cuba with the commission. Ramon
o. Williams, formerly United States con-
sui general to Cuba, came on the same
steamer. Mr.. Calhoun said that the COM
mission held three sittings between May
10 and June 1 at Havana. Reglio and
Guanabacoa.
The papers examined in the case were
chiefly military records. The final report
will be made to Washington by Gen. Lee.
Mr.. Calhoun said in response to a report
er's question:
"We examined several witnesses but
when you ask me if they were plentiful,
can only say that they did not run after
us. and we had to use no force to keep
them away. They were composed of
Spaniards and Cubans. The Spanish wit
nesses, and. in fact, all of those who testi-
fed were so surrounded with safeguards
that it was impossible to get at the naked
truth One person whom we would like
to have heard could not be found. This
was Fondsdeviela, who commanded the
Spanish in the Guanabacoa territory. He
disappeared, and it was impossible to find
him. Capt. Gen. Weyler did not put in
an appearance Mt the investigation. We
inspected the Jail at Guanabacoa, and
when we were there it was suspiciously
clean.
"We learn that DR.. Ruiz was arrested
on February 4, charged with having some
connection with some assault which took
place on a railway. He was placed in
solitary confinement, or. as it is known
here, he was incommunicado Thirteen
days later he was taken out of his cell on
account of his mental and physical condi-
ton. 1t was then found that he was suf-
fering from severe wound on the head,
and he died two hours after he had been
of his injury is buried. The question OF
the deceased's American citizenship was
never denied. The autopsy showed that
he died from congestion of the brain. His
remains were inferred at Guanabacoa
We had no possible direct proof of any as
sault whatever. and the conclusion ar
rived at must be on the detailed evidence
in the report of Consul General Lee, Whlch
is now on its way to Washington l, my
self. will make no report and L prefer not
to say anything as to my idea OF the ar
fair until the report is made public by the
proper authorities at Washington.
II shall go to Washington tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock"
Mr.. Calhoun said that he had been treat
ed courteously while in Cuba by all those
with whom he came in contact. His visit
was very pleasant but owing to the bad
weather which prevailed during his stay
he was unable to visit the interior.
Mr.. George Fishback, who is MIR. Cal
bOun's secretary, was reticent Wnen
spoken to in regard to his trip, but he
made one significant statement:
"We did not go within the insurgent
lines. but all the insurgents, however, are
not within the lines"
Mr. Williams said he had been travel
ing through Mexico, and had very en-
joyable trip. When Informed that ms ms
name had been mentioned for the Spanish
mission, he expressed surprise ana sald
he had not received the offer:
In n later conversation. Mr.. calhoun
said: M
"The Island of Cuba is rapidly being
devastated by a relentless, cruel and bit
fer civil war. so that in short time it
will not be worth anything to any one.
1t is difficult to get at the exact sltua-
tion there. In the first place, there is
a severe censorship of the press, ana
those who are naturally friendly to Gu
bans dare not express their opinions.
Furthermore, the adherents of both sides
are exceedingly intense. They tell stories
just as they want you to believe them:
From the Spanish point of view the island
is practically paciied. and from that of
the Cubans the insurgents never were in
such excellent shape as they are now"
did you 90 into the interior OF the
island?" asked the representative.
Eyes. went from Havana to Matan-
zas. While both are on the seacOast. still
they go from one point to the other by
rail. and it takes you through part of the
.,,Az .Is.1 al ii
short trips from Havana in other direc
tions."
What is the condition of the cOuntry?'
at seems to be entirely depopulated.
and there are no signs of any buildings
standing except at the railway stations !
These are practically forts. | was gen
orally informed that the same condition |
of affairs exists throughout Cuba from
Havana to Pinar del Rio. except in the |
Cubans get their supplies and their cat |
tie. They control that section now. 1t |
was the portion of the island which held |
out ten years In the last war.
Cuba is undoubtedly Il magnificent |
country. 1t is rich and beautiful, and |
the soil responds bountifully to the seed |
While | am not called upon to make a |
formal report of the matter to the presi-
dent because | acted merely as counsel |
to Gen. Lee in the Ruiz case still may
be asked to tell Mr.. Mckinley and the |
secretary of state of things which have
seen and heard in my brief trip to Cuba.
In that case | readily will do So"
Mr.. Williams was asked what was his
impression of the present condition of af-
fairs in Cuba. He replied:
'They are just as | predicted in my
reports of IA quarter of century ago.
Spain will have to make concessions the
same as England did to her colonies. The
Cubans must be allowed to make their
own laws and have entire control of the
expenditures of their finances
To Arrive ut Washington Today.
Washington. June 7.-Mr. Calhoun. the
special counsel for the United States in
the Ruiz case, is expected here tomorrow.
In view of the fact that the president
leaves Washington the day following for