The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-03

An Abstract of Correspondence sent TO
the senate by Olney.

the senate 10y Olney.
WASHINGTON. d. c., March Sec
rotary Olney to-day responded to the SEN
ate resolution calling for the correspond
ence IN the Ruiz case by sending an abb
stract OF the matter, declining 20 send
the full correspondence on the ground
that 1t would not be 20 the public inter-
est"
The abstract furnished by the State
Department shows the following facts:
That Ricardo Ruiz was 4 native born
Cuban and came 10 this country during
the progress OF the Cuban insurrecton
which terminated in 1875 lie received
his final papers as a naturalized citizen
in January. 1850. in Philadelphia. lmmc-
diately after he returned 10 cuba, entered
upon the practice OF dentistry, married
and reared a family. and has resided
there permanently and continually ever
since.
He was arrested February 4th and
thrown into prison on the charge OF par
ticipatlon IN tho capture and robbery Of
"a railroad train. His arrest was reported
to th. government by Telegraph on the
same day and until the 18th nothing more
was hosId OF the case by the Depart
ment which assumed that it was being
attended 10 by the Consulate in the reg
two hours the prisoner would either he
put in communicate or If not that prop
er demand for such relief would be made;
and that IL such demand We're made and
were not successful the Department would
at once bo notified. No measures of the
sort were taken. however though the
prisoner remained incommunicado, and
on the 18th. the Consulate reported TO
the Department that Ruiz had been
found dead in his cell under circum-
stances which justified and which led 10
an immediate investigation. The con-
sui-GeIeial reported that Ruiz was kept
three hundred and fifteen hours in
s'nah. closed ana most filthy cell three
bv Tour feet, has.ng o. rough stone floor.
with no wlndOF ana only six inch
square opening In the door for the al
mission OF food which aperture was kept
shut except when used; that 10 one was
allowed 10 see him; that be died from
neglect and violence that he became de-
ranged: that an autopsy showed severe
conclusions on top Of the head; that hc
died from congestion Of the brain; that
there was no fracture Of the skull that
AN knowledge was confined TO officials
and DC was difficult 20 ascertain the facts
Secretary Olney then quotes the report
of the Acting Governor-General Of Cuba
TO show that Ruiz was kept IA q large
rOOmy CELL lighted and ventilated; that
hs had an easy chair, and mattresses,
sheets, pillows, ETC.. that blow being
heard in his room on the 18th, he was
found very much excited VIA confusion
on the head, ana was at once removed TO
q better room, where he could more easily
be watched ana placed under medical
treatment; that on the 18th he was found
by an attendant in the act OF butting his
head against the grating OF the door, and'
though quieted by the attendant. shorty
after died: that an autopsy being he'd
the physicians present Soncurred IN the
oplnion that death ensued from cerebral
congestion. not induced by the wound on
the mead. which was superficial, and that
the prisoners treatment during confne-
mcnt was most cOnslderate and better
than I'm the case Of other prisoners, an
attendant going to his room whenever call
cd for.
Secretary Olnoy says that the conclu-
slons OF the official reports OF TWO Gov
ernments being thus radically coniictls'
another open and thorough investigation
seemed 10 this Government indispensable.
In this view the Spanish Government con-
Cured and a letter from Minister De
Lone IS quoted. bearing upon this case,
dated February 9th.
In this note Minister De LONE says;
",rbe spanish Government has ordered
thar a most thorough investigation be
made in order 70 throw the light upon the
facts. so that IL it appear therefrom that
there mas been culpabiiity or negligence
eli tho weight Of the law may fall upon
! the guilty. To this end, after receiving
, General Ahumada's telegram, the Govern
uent ordered by cable that a judge be
designated. who, IN view Of the facts
/ charged and communicated = Mr.. Taylor.
United states Minister az Madrid, shall
Institute 4 judicial process. IN which all
| ,ha circumstances shall be scrupulosly
/ and actively ascertained, His Majesty 5
| Government wishes, and, 10 that end, d.
roots that the Consul or the United
/ states be invited to submit, II he so de-
slr-s any evidence which may assist In
making the facts clear. and or which ne
NAV have knowledgE. and also 20 take
! cognizance OF the proceedings or the case.
i, Tho consul OF the United states desires
| N become a party IN the proceedings he
go, do SO aud 70 that end he VIII be
ayorded every facility he may need"
| In this note Minister De Lone calls
a,tention TO the failure OF Ruiz 10 an
nounce his citizenship upon his arrest.
In conclusion, the Minister says OF 0he
! Investigation about TO be undertaken:
..-rha Government OF his Majesty. In
,unartisl vindication OF Justice and de-
,arsncs 10 pre-occupied public opinion in
| soain. intends that the truth shall be