Evening star., 1897-06-03


let the matter drop
In his separate report Gen. Lee states IN
substance that nothing has been brought
forward to change his original opinion that
Ruiz's death due to his treatment in
prison, but whether Ruiz was actually
struck, or whether he butted his head
against the walls in a fit of insanity, Gen.
Lee does not claim to know He comments
sharply on the conditions in which Ruiz
was kept, without being able to communi-
cate with his family or friends. He does
not give much weight to the self-eXculpa-
tory testimony of the prison officials. nor
to the evidence of prisoners, who could not
be expected to testify against the author
ities
hospital service refused to sign the report
of the autopsy, which was signed by the
two local physicians.
Consul Cognosto in his report gives full
recital of the testimony of the prison Off
cials ard prisoners, and makes elab-
crate exposition OF prison treatment to
| show that Ruiz was well treated and kept
| in a good cell from the day of his arrest.
| The intimation is that Ruizs death was
due to natural causes possibly and epi-
| le0sy.
| These disagreeing reports will probably
| be the subject of long diplomatic cor
respondence between the two governments.
| The State Department has been furnished
| with full transcript Of both the civil and
| the military proceedings which followed
| Ruizs arrest.
MIR. Calhoun said to the correspondent:
My position as special counsel to Con-
sui General Lee forbids discussion Of the
| case. Concerning that inquiry l have not
| word to say. With regard to the other
| matter. perhaps too great Importance has
been given to my presence. My treatment
has been courteous, my associations pleas
| ant. While my official connection has been
| solely with the Ruiz inquiry, many persons
| have given me their opinions on the con-
ditions In the island. | have heard both
| further stories would add to my informa-
tion. Besides, the rainy season would make
| a journey into the interior impracticablc
| "On one point all parties seem to agree.
This is that Cuba is being completely de-
| vastated. and that whichever side succeeds
| there will be hardly more than a desert
| left. The end Of the war does not appear
| to be In sight. 1t Is deplorable condi-
tion."
While Mr.. Calhoun talks in this con-
servative way, his report to the President
will be more pronounced. He has really
| made an exhaustive investigation, and his
conclusions will be definite enough to ena-
Bile the administration to formulate q Gu
ban policy.
Ell Diario (newspaper) attacks Mr. CAL
houn and General Lee saying that the
American members Of the Ruiz commission
gave out the news of proceedings. Never
theless, 1t says the evidence and the f1nd-
ings of the commission favor Spain. El
Dfario goes on to say that MIR. Calhoun.
not knowing the language, has heard only
one side of the general conditions in Cuba.
Lee. 1t regrets his errors In making a re-
port Of Ruiz's death. and also on the status
| of the insurrection.
FL Diario is especially bitter on Gen. Lee
regarding relief of the destitute Americans.
| This relief has irritated the palace authori-
ties more than anything else. The work
goes forward systematically at the consul
ate. and much good is being done.
The disposition Of the Spanish seems to
be to show their teeth over possible bel
lgerency recognition, and give an indica-
| tton OF SPANS purposes on the water.
Captain General Weyler has issued an
official order concentrating the country
people in the provinces of Puerto Principe
and Santiago The purpose is to show the
campaign is progressing in those two east
ern provinces, which are held by insur-
gents. The pacificos are given thirty days
) within which to come in and bring theil
cattle. The usual pretense is made of es-
tablshng zones Of cultivation. The effect
of the order will not be SO bad as in the
central and western provinces. because the
insurgents hold so much OF the country
e yet it will add several thousands to the
ranks Of the reconcentrados.
The rains all over the island are un
usually heavy, even for this season, and
r Notwithstanding the apparent activity o,
e the troops in Santa Clara, military opera
tions are practically suspended. In Pinal
| del Rio. east Of the trocha, insurgents have
been making successful raids and driving
, | off cattle. The Spanish troops are suffer
: ing greatly from fever.
/ Despite the Madrid scheme for reforming
o the Cuban currency, the financial de
: moralization continues. Official assurance
a | is given that no more billetes will be issued
2 and plan is officially promulgated for in
; | creasing the customs dues and setting
: aside the increased receipts for the con
: | version and redemption of billetes. In tn
: face Of this official policy, the gold pre-
: | MUM does not drop. No one has faith II
the government.
= The employees on the street car, cab an,
omnibus lines have struck because of tn
failure to adjust their wages. The waiter
= | in many Of the cafes are striking for tn
] same reason, and the strike is likely t.
spread. The poor people are suffering in
tensely. Havana is on the verge of q mea
famine.