The news & observer., 1898-02-08
Gives Particulars of ExeCu-
tion of Spanish Officer.
REPORT SENT TO HOUSE
ARANGUREN WAS ACTING UN-
DER ORDERS OF GOMEZ.
RUIZ WENT IN A PRIVATE CAPACITY
General Lee Interposed in Behalf Of Emissary,
But His Kote Reached insurgents Camp
Tco Late--Ruiz and Arangurel
Had Been Friends.

Had Been Friends
Washington, d. c., Feb. THE Presi-
dent to-day transmitted to the House the
reports from Consul General Lee rela
tive to the execution of Col. 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 21st,
is in the form of a narrative account of
the circumstances attending the eXecu-
tj9n. "As u matter of public interest,
says General Lee, - have the honor to
anform the Department that on Monday,
December 18th, Lieutenant Colonel Don
Joaquin Ruiz, of the Spanish corps of
engineers, and aide de camp of the
Captain General, an officer well and
faYOrably known in the city, visited Col.
Aranguren, am active and cnterprislng
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 Col. Ruiz left here at six q. III.
Monday, December 18th, alighting at
Camp Florida, II miles from this city,
where he brCakfasted with the Spanish
commander and in company with fIac-
ticos tguides), Il white man and II negro,
he rode on horseback i'll the direction of
Arrangements camp. After he had pro-
ceeded two leagues 4Ae was met by
Arangurcn, who was mounted and had
an escort OF IA calvary, Gol. Ruiz,
after egs'lange of Salutations, began a
speech to AraHguren and his party, set
a. -.
automatic rule and | am advised made
offers upon the part of the authorities
here for the surrender of his command,
whereupon Aranguren, acting under the
instructions of his general IN chief,
MaXimo Gomez. nau Col. RUIZ and his
two men executed.
1T will be remembered that in Noyem-
bcr last LoIEez issued q proclamation
ordering his officers to put to death amy
person or persons that should approach
them with the effort to make them tral'
tors to their comrades or cause, or to
induce them to accept autonomy under
Spanish rule. Aranguren, previous to
tine war, lived in Havana with mis- moth
er. but has since been bold and active
officer of the insurgent ranks.
in accordance with IL request made
to me by the Russian Consul and other
friends of Col. kuiz, and with the knowl-
edge, consent and approval of General
Blanco, / made the attempt to save the
life OF the Spanish officer by sending to
! Col. Aranguren Mr.. Ernesto Tosca, as
my representative here, with the fol-
lowing note:
"Habana December 1G, 1897.
Mr. NestOr Aranguren.
My Dear Sir: l am informed that a
Spanish officer named Col. joaquin
Ruiz is your prisoner. | write to say
that the said officer is a personal friend
| of mine and has shown me kindness and
courtesy since my arrival in Habana.
therefore request you as Il special favor
to me to release Col. Ruiz and to allow
him to return to this capital. The bear
er of this note, Mr.. Ernesto Tosca. is
my personal representative and | conf
| mend him to you.
Il am, etc.
(Signed) "FITZHUGH LEE"
II regret TO say" continues General
| Lee, "that my representative did not
reach the insurgent camp in time to de-
| liver said noe before Col Ruiz's execu-
| ton which had taken place on the day
Of Ruiz's arrival"
On December 80, General Lee wrote
ais follows:
"Referring to my previous despatch,
| ] desire to say further that the note to
| Aranguren contained therein was not
| delivered. because when my representa-
| tive reached his camp this insurgent
chief was temporarily absent therefrOm,
! hut the NEXT ranking officer then in
command, gave to Mr.. Tosca the fol-
| lowing statement:
Camp of Cuba.
"Details of the Death of Lieutenant
| Colonel Joaquin Ruiz:
| '"This gentleman came to these fields
| dressed in the uniform of Spanish mil
itary officer and before the Cuban forces
made to Col. NestOr Aranguren PROPOSE
| tions of anotonOmy for Cuba. Col Aran-
| guren respecting the orders of our army.
mode Ruiz prisoner and he was executed
later. after a court martial had been
| Mold and in the name of the Organiza-
tion of orr army. And that it may he
lrnnv,n furnish this information to
Ar Ernrsto Tosca, who came commits
cionod Inv the American Consul at Ha-
| bana.
Arm of Cuba. December Is, 1891.
lSigned). maj. ALFREDO lima"
"I+ now appears that Col. Ruiz visited
+,,o ;,srropnt camp in his private and
Tnofficiol capacity and that with the
o,,on,,t;on Of one or two of THE authori-
t;ns Of tbp palace and possibly few
~. IN ,o one knew of his errand, or de-
parture. lit would seem' pherelore' OhaC