Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-08
EXECUTION OF RUIZ.
REPORT OF CONsUL-GENERAL LEE
THEREON.
Effort to Save the Life of the Spanish
O0icer-Latter Approached Insur-
gents unonicinlly and without
Flag OF Truce.

WASHINGTON. February THE Pres.
! ident to-day transmitted to the House
the reports from Consul-General Lee re-
lative to the execution OF Colonel Ruiz
which the House called for by resolution
These reports consist Of two dispatches
to the State Department from General
Lee The first, under date Of December
2lst, is in the form Of narrative account
Of the circumstances attending the exc
cutiOn.
"As a matter OF public interest,"" said
General Lee. Il have the honor to inform
the department that on Monday, Deem
Der 18th, Lieutenant-Colonel Don Joaquin
Ruiz, Of the Spanish corps of engineers
and aide-de-camp Of the Captaln-General,
an officer well and favorably known in
the city, visited Colonel Aranguren, an
active and enterprisng insurgent chief,
with whom he had been formerly well
acquainted, as the latter had been in his
employment when Ruiz had charge Of the
water-works Of this city.
Colonel Ruiz left here at A. NJ.
Monday December 18th, slighting at
Camp Florido, twenty-one miles from this
city, where he breakfasted with the Span
ism commander and in company with
'practicos' (guides), a white man and a
negro. rode on horseback In the direction
of Aranguren's camp. After he had pro-
ceeded two leagues he was met by Aran-
guren, who was mounted, and had an es-
cort of fourteen cavalry. Colonel Ruiz,
after the exchange OF salutatiOns, began
a speech to Aranguren and his party, set
ting forth the prospective glories of
autonomatic rule, and. / am advised
made offers upon the part OF the authori-
ties here for the surrender of HIS
command, whereupOn, Aranguren, acting
under the instructions of his general-in-
chief Maxine Gomez, had Ruiz and his
two men executed.
1T will be remembered that In Novem-
Der last Gomez issued proclamation
ordering his officers to put 10 death any
person or persons that should approach
them with the effort 10 make them
traitors TO their comrades or cause. or
TO induce them 10 accept autonomy
under Spanish rules. Aranguren, pre-
vious TO the war, lived In Habana. with
his mother, but has since been bold and
active officer in the insurgent ranks.
EFFORT TO SAVE RUIZ.
I'm accordance with request made to
me by the Russian Consul and other
friends OF Colonel Ruiz. and with the
knowledge. consent. and approval OF
General Blanco. l made an attempt 10
save the life OF the Spanish officer, by
sending TO Colonel Aranguren. Mr.. Ernest
Tosca. as my representative here, with
the following note:
80 Habana, December IS. 1897.
" Mr. Nestor Aranguren:
My Dear Sir,-I am Informed that a |
Spanish officer named Colonel joaquin
Ruiz IL Your prlSOner l vvrifa % -,
that the said officer Is personal friend
OF mine. and has shown me kindness and
courtesy since my arrival In Habana.
/. therefore. request you. as a special !
favor to me. 70 release Colonel Ruiz ana
to allow him to return To this capital. !
The bearer OF this note Mr.. Ernesto
Tosca. is my personal representative, ard
commend him TO you. / am. etc,
(Signed) 'FITZHUGH LEE
II regret TO say" continues General
Lee. THAT my representative did not