Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-21
Her Personal Attractions.
The state Department Not Advised ns
to the Ruiz Affair.

1t was stated positively at the State De-
partment today that nothing has been
heard there from Consul General Lee in
regard TO the reported shooting by insur-
gents of Ruiz. the Spanish peace COM
missioner. ror in regard to the alleged eff
forts of Gen. Lee to prevent his execution.
There seems to be no doubt of Ruiz 5
dc ath but there is considerable difference
Of opinion As to the surrounding circum-
stances. especially the part played by the
American consul general.
The renort comes from Havana that
Captain General BlanCo, in order to save
the life OF Ruiz, who Was his adjutant, re-
uucsted Consul General Lee intercede for
n Grey with Colonel Aranguren, to whose
camp he had gone to negotiate terms OF
peace.
The story. as told by the correspondent
of the New York Herald at Havana is as
follows.
Colonel Ruiz went to Colonel Arangu-
ren's camp on Sunday, and On Wednesday
morning il was confidently asserted in Ha-
vana that he had been killed. On the fol-
lowing day the Russian consul. Mr.. Truf-
fair. called on General Lee and asked if he
was willing 10 take action TO save Colonel
Ruiz ; life. the colonel having been person.
ally acquainted with General Lee.
General Lee was much surprised. and
said he wished to know positively first
whether the man dead or alive. If
alive he would be glad tc save his life but
he declined to take any action unless au-
tEorized or requested to do so by Cen
eral Blanco. Mr. TruffaIn suggested
two consuls drove there. General Lee
saw General Blanco. who expressed
an earnest desire to the American
coEsul 10 place himself in commune alton
with the insurgents, and exert all his in
fuen"e to have mercy extended to Colonel
RUIZ
Gen. Lee expressed Willingness to
oblige the captain general. and undertook
to send 10 Col ArangUren's camp Ernest
TOsrd- an cmploye of the consulate and a
nataralizsd citizen. for whom Gen. RIanco
ISSUED a pass and agreed to provide
guido the question of securing a rebel
pass was not touched on by Gen. Blanco
Who tacitly left that indispensable docu-
mcHt - be procured by Gen. Lee
MIR. Tosca left Havana at dawn carry
Ing IN one pocket a military pass from the
captain general and in the other a safe
toniu[,, signed by the president of the
Junta IN Havana, addressed to Jose Her
nandez- the insurgent project of San
Nigx-i. near which place Col. Arangllren
Is eainped. on the estate of San Joaquin.
ne also took with him letter from Gen
Lee to Col Ararguren. requesting thar
mercy he exc: d.. % Col Ruiz if consist
ent with the IIers Of his military supe-
rior. With Mr.. ToScs went as a eui1e a
Cuban Famed Chacon. Ii is known thaf
the TWO men entered Col Aranguren's
camp 10y noon"
According to the same authority. Tosca
subsequently notified Gen. Lee that Ruiz
had been killed by the insurgents
The officials of the State Department
decline TO discuss Gen. Lees action in this
matter in the absence of official in forma
tion. but are inclined to the belief that
What he did was done in his personal ca
pdcity as a friend of Ruiz and no, ms
t4s representative of the United States
Consequently they are disposed 10 mini
Inlze the Importance of the affair as a
diplomatic incident. and as In noWIse
changing the consistent relations between
Spain ana the United States in regard to
affairs in Cuba.