The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
CUBAN HONOR UNDER A CLOUD.
LIEUT.. cor. RUIZ KILLED WHILE
ACTING AS A PEACE ENVOY.

Insurgent Brisadier Whom He Went
to See InterpOsed I'm Vain to Save
His Life-The Execution Ordered
Under the Proclamation of Gen.
Gomez Ordering the killing OG En-
VOys Seeking TO Induce Cuban
Leaders to Accept Autonomy or
Surrender.
Havana, Dec 1S.-The news telegraphed
to the United States via Key West that
Lieut., Col. Ruiz has been killed has been
confirmed.
Lieut.. Col. Ruiz, an aide-de-camp of
Marshal Blanco, the captain general of
Cuba, was recently sent to confer with the
insurgents. He proceeded into the country
on Monday last, having previously written
letter to the insurgent chief, Aranguren.
Tonight consular employee Senor Tos-
ca, who had been commissioned by United
States Consul General Lee to make inquir-
les, returned from Campo Florido, three
leagues distant from the lnsurgent en-
campment a Tuna Cuatro. He says he
met outposts of Aranguren's forces. and
that the chief of the party confirmed the
report that on his arrival, Col. Ruiz was
met by Aranguren and an escort of twelve
men, who received him warmly Ruiz
urged the party to accept autonomy and
congratulated himself that he would in
duce them to return with him to Havana.
The insurgents in camp here had not
been prepared for the visit by Aranguren,
and, seeing Ruiz In his uniform, and
III
manded the application of the proclama-
ton of Gomez and Rodriguez, which or
ders the inflctlon of the death penalty on
all persons who attempt to induce chiefs
OF the rebellion to surrender.
In compliance with their demands, a
court martial was formed and the sentence
of death was passed upon Ruiz Senior
Tosca adds that Aranguren stood aloof
during the trial and allowed the death
sentence to be carried out. Col. Ruiz was
executed with a mnchete
Havana via Key West, Dec. 1S.-The
general topic Of conversation in cafes the
aters and clubs is the result of the visit
Of Lieut.. Colonel of Engineers Joaquin
Ruiz, TO the headquarters of the insurgent
brigadier Arangueren Col. Ruiz, who was
very popular here, visited Arangueren for
the purpose of inducing him TO surrender
and accept autonomy, promising him in re-
turn money and official preferment Col.
Ruiz. 1t is understood, offered his service
to Marshal Blanco for the purpose of in
ducing Arangueren to surrender as the
latter had been formerly employed lIy
Ruiz, when he was constructing the Vento
water works.
After having written 10 Arangueren, Col.
Ruiz left Havana for the insurgent camp
nO pftfs, q
camp the insurgent general Alexandra Ro-
drguez, learned of his arrival and went to
Col. Arangueren's headquarters, where he
ordered Col. Ruiz to be tried by court-mar-
tial in accordance with the orders of Gen.
Gomez
Col Ruiz was defended In his trial by
Arangueren and Rafael de Cardenas, the
former of whom had pledged his word of
honor for Ruiz's safety.
1t was reported that Gen. Alexandra
Rodriguez ordered the execution of the
prisoner.
The Russian consul, who is president
Of the Union Club and a personal friend
of Col Ruiz, who Is a member of the same
club, visited United States Consul General
Lee and asked him to use his influence
to save the life of Col. Ruiz. Consul Cen
eral Lee called privately on Marshal Blan-
co and stated to him the object of his
visit The governor general allowed Gen,
Lee to intercede In friendly
way. Early yesterday Ernest Tosca
an attache of the American consulate,
with young Manuel Chacon, carrying three
days provisions, left for Campo Florida,
province of Havana, bearing IA permit
from Marshal Blanco to seek the camp of
Arangueren with a letter from Consul
General Lee Col. Ruiz was executed the
day Gen. Parade was assured that he
would be set at liberty. Last night IL
f11 hat n al Tpftia ha no
leased upon the condition that the insur-
gent leader Candido Villaneueya, be eX-
changed for him, but upon the arrival here
this evening Of Tosca, it became generally
known that Tosca's visit did not avail
10 save the life of Col. Ruiz.
INSURGENT FORCE INCREASING.