Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-23
Ice Ann wEyLEn.


requested that United States warships oe
sent TO Habana. IN order that ne might
enforce his demands regarding the rights
OF American citizens in Cuba, Is oiiiciai-
lv denied None the less. there appears
no doubt that Lee has taken steps lock-
inp to the protection OF Americana on
the island. and the prevention OF iur'her
outrages upon them that are hkeiy 10
bring up the Cuban question IN acute
eorm again. The New York Heraid's
Habana correspondent asserts positVeV
that General Lee has asked that he be
instructed TO demand the release OF all
American citizens who are held III CUBA
under circumstances of illesality. SINH
lar TO those which characterized the Ruiz
case; and then adds:
These instructions, which the most
rudimentary appreciation OF our natlohai
honor and our self-respect would inspire
in the breast OF a porter or messenger
boy In the department, will nave 10 DC
forthcoming or new Consul-Genefai
sent to Habana. General fitZhuSh Lee
the descendant of two signers 81 the
Declaration OF Independence. cannot, ana
will not.-I speak with authority-aliow
his name TO be associated with a poNcy
of lgnominy and surrender.
The same correspondent also gives the
details of General Lees action in investi-
eating the death of DR.. Ruiz, and the
result OF the autopsy which the Consul
General demanded that the Spanish au-
thorities allow to be made. Dr. Ruiz
was a dentist and an American citizen.
and was arrested on the charge or
having, in January last, assisted In de-
railing a Spanish troop-train and oaptur-
ing ten Offices OF a garrison. During
his incarceration he was subjected TO
great indignties. and finally died in his
cell, under very suspicious circumstances.
AS above noted. Consul-General Lee de-
manded an autopsy, at which he was
present, and which demonstrated that
Ruiz died a violent death. There we're
unquestionable proofs that the unfor5u-
nate man died from congestion of the
brain. as the result of "A blow: and,
though the physician who performed the
autopsy left it an open question whether
Ruiz dashed his head against the wall Of
his cell, or was struck on the head by
others. the preponderance Of evidence,
aside from what was disclosed by tho
operation. was that he was the victim
Of foul play. At any rate, when the
Spanish Judge of instruction requested
General Lee TO sign a statement that the
blow on the head of DR.. Ruiz was self
4
From Washington 1t is stated that as
yet no report has been received from
General Lee regarding his investigation
into the death Of Ruiz, and that no
international complication is likely TO
grow out of the matter. Yet ii is learned
that Secretary Olney has telegraphed to
the American minister at Madrid, in
forming him that Ruiz died under sus-
picious circumstances, and directing
him to make known to the Spanish Gov
eminent that the United States desire
a full inquiry into the affair. Moreover,
it is known that the Ruiz incident the
arrest OF Scott and the Incarceration
of some thirty other American citizens
i'm Cuba, whose cases General Lee is
probing vigorously, are again causing
excitement in congressional circles, and
the result may be that Congress Will
have something so decisive to say on
the Cuban question as to render Sc
rious rupture between this country and
Spain almost unavoidable.
Since General Lee has held the consul
generalship at Habana, he has made a
splendid record for conservatism, and
he may be trusted to do nothing rash.
But he has also made a splendid record
for unfolding the dignity of the United
States, and he may be trusted not TO
allow their prestige to suffer. II serious
crisis eventuates as the result of any
action he may take. or has taken, in
the Ruiz and Scott affairs, the nation
may rest assured that that crisis could
not have been avoided with honor.