The herald., 1897-06-09
THE WIDOW
OF DIR. RUIZ
Files Her Claim Against
Spain
CONSUL CALHOUN CONCLUDES
THAT ALL CUBA Is FIGHTING
FOR FREEDOM
While Worse Than Barbarous War
Must Cease, He Very Strongly
Opposes Annexation
CONSUL CALHOUN CONCLUDES
THAT ALL CUBA Is FIGHTING
FOR FREEDOM
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated Press Special wire.
WASHINGTON. June s,-Assistan;
Secretary Day said today that the re-
port Of Consul General Lee upon the
result of the investigation made in
Havana In the Ruiz case had not yet
been received at the state department.
Consequently 1t was not possible to
learn whether the publications purport-
ing to be copies Of the report were ac-
curate. Assuming. however. that the
consul generals conclusions are cor
rectly set forth-in brief, that Ruiz died
while in Jail In violation of his treaty
rights-the question before the Depart
ment Of the largest Importance 10 what
shall be the next step.
The widow of Ruiz has filed with the
department claim for $150.O00 for the
death Of her husband. The Spanish con-
tention has been that he was not killed
and that he was not treated narshly
General Lees inquiry Is understood to
have failed to bring out the truth on
these points, but his statement on an
other, namely, that his confinement was
in violation of treaty rights, appears to
make the first two points non-essential
and to leave the case resting on the
broad claim that In confining Ruiz for
more than 72 hours without permitting
him to communicate with his friends
or trying him, the Spanish officials in
Cuba have assumed full responsibility
for the results of that extra conf1ne-
ment. The fact being established that
Ruiz kept up his American citizenship
by registering himself at American con-
sulates In Cuba from time to time as
required by regulations, is taken as an
offset against the claim that by con-
tinuous residence in Cuba for nearly
twenty years he had forfeited his righte
as an American citizen. It is surmised
that the next step In the case will b.
the presentation of q claim against. the
Spanish government IN behalf OF the
family of the victim Of this illegal inn
prisonment.
THE CABINET MEETING
WASHINGTON, May S.-The cabine.
meeting today lasted longer than usual
The Cuban situation was discussed In
a general way. but the most important
subject presented was the Spanish mis-
sion. The availability Of three men for
this important post at Madrid was care
fully canvassed. but no decision was
reached. One Of the cabinet officers
said after the meeting that the selec-
tion was still open. and will now go over
until the presidents return from the
Nashville trip. 1t may be that the non
of Mr.. Calhoun may have
had something to do with postponing
action today. II Mr.. Calhoun does not
have an opportunity for talk with tn.
president before the latter's departure
at noon tomorrow, he will be invited to
accompany the president on his trip.
A berth has been reserved on the train
to be placed at his disposal in case he
joins the presidential party.
WHAT CALHOUN SAW
CHICAGO, June S.-The Chicago Tri-
bune's correspondent. Charles NJ. Pep
per, telegraphs the following from New
York: Special Commissioner w. j.
Calhoun. who returned here yesterday
from Cuba, said that he had, formed an
Impression before leaving the States that
negroes and possibly bandits were the
chief agents in the insurrection. He had
rot been there three days before he was
that the whole strength of the
Cuban people is backing the insurrection.
He became satisfied 1t was in reality the
Of Cuba for the Cubans and that
they would fight desperately for inde-
pendence. Everything he subsequently
saw and heard strengthened this belief
Calhoun had heard the reports Of paci-
hcation by General Weyler and had
credited them in some degree. His stay
In Cuba destroyed this notion. He could
lot find the pacification which was re-
ported. Instead, he found signs of war
everywhere. even at the gates Of Ha-
7ana- The Spanish troops held certain
parts of the island as an army OF occu-
patton, while the insurgents were maxi
ng constant and often successful raids.
Mr.. Calhoun was so impressed with these
evidences Of actual warfare that he gave
tut blunt statement that he could see
10 end Of the war and that the deyasta-
ion was growing.
Mr.. Calhoun could not discover that
my approach to civilized methods Of
warfare was being made on either. side.
He was overwhelmed with evidence TO
how the atrocities committed BY the
soldiers under Weyler, particularly, the
;uerillas who form part Of the regular
lrmy. Such cases as he was able to in
'estigate personally generally proved to
,e correctly stated. He also learned
vas true that the Red Cross Society was
lot permitted to exercise its oflces of
mercy toward the two contending par
les. This refusal was made by the
Spanish government
Mr.. Calhoun spersonalinquiriesa and in
1estigations have satisfied him that the
Itarvation and suffering caused BY
reconcentration order were not
He saw scenes OF misery
It Matanzas which determined him to
ook no further into that phase OF the
var, because he had seen enough.
While Mr.. Calhoun did not attach SO
much Importance to belligerency as to
'ther phases OF the question, what he |
'aw did not cause him any fears for thx
United States. In ca9e the policy OF bel-
lgerency should be adopted by the ads |
and by Congress-. During
~ otaE IN Cuba Mr.. Calhoun eave ~