Evening journal., 1897-02-22
spaIn Must ExpInln rnllr.

Washington correspondent SAYS
The administration is determined Co
have full investigation of all the circum-
stances surrounding the death of DIR. Ri
cardo Ruiz, the American dentist, who
was recently found dead in a prison in
Guanabacoa, Cuba. Tho question of repa-
ration, if the facts justify it, will follow
Investigation.
learn that Secretary Olney has sent
cable dispatch to Minister Taylor in Mad
rid informing him that DR.. Ruiz died un-
der suspicious circumstances and directing
him TO inform the Spanish government
that the United States desired q full in
quiry into the affair In the meantime
Consul General Lee is prosecuting his in
quiry, and Just rs soon as his report is at
hand it will be considered with view to
defining the policy Of the administration
in the matter.
was told by high authority that the
only word received from Consul General
Lee Is contained in two dispatches, one in
forming the department. of Dr. Ruiz's ar-
rcst, and the second announcing his death
In the Guanabacoa Jail under suspicious
circumstances. This last dispatch called
for reply, in which Consul General Lee
was instructed to make prompt and full
Investigation and the further instruction
The Ruiz incident has considerably agi-
tatcd public men here, and it is expected
that resolutions will be introduced in both
houses of congress today calling upon the
state department for all the facts in the
case. The present administration can
scarcely do more during the short time IL
has to live than to get the investigation
well under way. But approaching how
sensitive the American public is on the
question of oUtrages upon our citizens, it
VIII be the purpose Of Secretary Olney to
see that an absolutely fair and impartial
report is made by our representative in
Cuba
While the Ruiz affair might ultimately
form the basis for a possible rupture be-
tween the United States and Spain. it is
not likely to come during the present ad-
ministration. If the new administration
desires to depart from diplomatic means
far securing better treatment of Ameri-
Guns, the present administration will leave
at its disposal fine fleet of war vessels
near Havana to back up any demand that
may be made.
No Reason For warships.
1t was further denied at the White
House that any request had come from
Consul General Lee for warships or that
there was any intention of sending vessels
to Havana. / was also told by Assistant
Secretary OF State Rockhill, who receives
all dispatches which come from Consul
General Lee on Sunday, that no message
of any kind had come from him.
In regard TO the action of Consul Gen
eral Lee, as reported in The Herald, i'm de-
inanding the release Of Charles Scott, an
American, was told that the only infor-
nation in possession of tho department.
Al. Al 4
and that the charges were unknown.
The report of the Spanish investigation
expected to be set on foot as a result of Mr..
Taylor's representation is anticipated by
state department authorities. 1t will be
that Ruiz died from natural causes, and
testimony TO this effect will be secured
from the numerous witnesses. that tho au-
thorities in Cuba arc able to procure and
which viii be sufficient tOloffset any evi-
dence that may be obtained for the United
States.
State department officials say that the
case of Ruiz is very much like that of S.
n. Lopez an American citizen, who Con
sui Genreal Lee reported was a victim tC
Spanish brutality. His report was laid
before the Madrid officials. In rebuttal the
Spanish authorities offered the report made
by their representatives. General Lee could
bulN iluht "a bdIt Slulomcnl OF lno llclS NJ
he found them and could not quote any
person as responsible for his information
because Of the fear that his informant
would be subjected to Spanish imprson
ment which, in the Ruiz case, was pre-
liminary to death.
On the other hand the Spanish RECORD
was filed with sworn statements by lnor
who General Lee declares werc responsible,
for Lopez's death and others who thi
Spanish authorities claim have no intercs
In the matter. Against this mass of evi
dence Consul General Lees word is naught
Whatever may he the result Of the inves
tigation in the Ruiz case there Is press
ing demand from congress for more com
plete details in this and other cases o
American prisoners in Cuba. Bitter com
plaints have frequently been made b,
members of both houses of congress tha
the state department has not kept the leg
islatiye branch of the government sufii
ciently well posted concerning the treat
mont Americans have received in Cuba.
Scovel Visited In Prison.
HAVANA, Feb. 22.-1homas G.. Alvord
the correspondent of the New York World