The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-12-23
KNEW THE LAW
Cuban Junta Issues a Statement
Regarding the Execution Of
Colonel Ruiz.
Blanc0 Was to Blame For Send
ing Ruiz With an Offer of
Autonomy,
When He Had Been Warned of
the Consequences Sure to
Follow.

New YORK, Dec. 23.-T. Estrada
Palma of the Cuban junta has made
The following statement:
1.-THE death of Colonel Ruiz did not
occur, as the Spanish have put it, while
he was negotiating as peace messen.
ger under flag of truce. Again and
again have the Cubans promulgated
the law that all who came to them
with peace propositions not based on
the independence of Cuba should be
treated as spies and be dealt with ac-
cordingly. Colonel Ruiz not only knew
of the existence of the Law, but, accord.
ing to the Spanish accounts, was per.
sonally warned as to his fate. General
Blanco and Secretary General Con-
gosto, too, were well aware of the exist
ence Of the decree. Nevertheless, these
latter took advantage of the unfortun-
ate Quixotism Of Colonel Ruiz and sent
him to the Cuban lines. The blood of
Colonel Ruiz is not on the hands of the
Cubans, but upon the heads of Blanco
and Congosto, who sent him to his
tate.
Law Had to BE Enforced.
IF the penalty of the law had not
been carried into effect, doubtless Spain
would have taken advantage of the fact
to show that the Cubans were not in
earnest in their rejection Of autonomy
absolutely, but were willing to listen to
arguments. This decree was not pro-
mulgated because Cubans are afraid of
disaffection in their ranks, but
because it is known that innumer-
able commissioners would otherwise be
sent and on their return make false
statements, encouraging the belief that
peace might be established on basis
other than independence. Such state.
ments would only serve the Interests
of Spain in gaining time, with the re-
sulting death of thousands, owing to
the useless prolongation of the war.
Besides, the Cubans are advised that
the Spanish are seeking to enter the
insurgent lines with the purpose Of
assassinating the more important lead.
ers. Documentary proof of this fact is
in our hands, and we are the more eau.
tious when we remember that in 1879
General Blanco authorized General
Polavieja, in Santiago, to execute as
many unarmed Cubans as the latter
thought necessary as an example.
Atrocities That Cause No Comment.
''It is somewhat remarkable that
with the first news of the death of
Colonel Ruiz came the announcement
of tho killing by the Spanish of over 40
sick and wounded Cubans found in a
hospital, and not voice was raised in
protest thereat. The shooting Of Cuban
prisoners by the score passed almost
without comment; the thousands of
wounded Cubans slain in hospitals at.
tract but little notice. According to
all the laws of civilized warfare the
Cubans from the beginning had the
right to retaliate in kind, but they
never have done 90. On the contrary
all prisoners taken by them were set at
liberty and the wounded attended to.
1--WE are denied by the entire world
status as belligerents. and might, there
fore, claim that we have no obligations
to conduct the war as belligerents, but
we do not intend to take this stand.
The conditions obtaining in Cuba and
tho character Of the Spanish demand,
however. that we take. the necessary
measures to speedily terminate the war
by convincing the world that independ-
ence alone can satisfy as.
I'VE accordingly issue decree and
aplemnly warn Spain Of its enactment.
We still have a f