The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-08
LEES REPORT On RUIZ
Sent to the Senate by the
State Department,
UNDER NO FLAG OF TRUCE
But on His Private Account
He Courted Death.

Washington, Feb. THE president to-
Cay transmitted to the house the reports
from Consul General Lee relating to the
execution of Colonel Ruiz, which the
house called for by resolution. These re-
ports consist Of two dispatches to the
state department from General Lee. The
hrst, under date Of December IL is in the
form of a narrative account of the cir
eumstances attending the execution.
LAS matter of public interest" says
General Lee, q have the honor to in
form the department that on Monday,
December 13, Lieutenant Colonel Don
joaquin Ruiz, Of the Spanish corps of en-
gineers, and aide de camp of the captain
general, an officer well and favorably
known in this city, visited Colonel Aran-
gueren. an active and enterprising insur-
gent chief with whom he had been for
merIy well acquainted, as he had been in
his employment when Ruiz had charge
Of the waterworks Of this city. Colonel
Ruiz left here at 6 a. m. Monday Decem-
Der Is, alighting at Camp Florido, twenty
, one miles from this city, where he break
tasted with the Spanish commander, and
In company with PRACTICES (guides),
white man and a negro, he rode on horse
back in the direction of Arrangements
camp. After he had proceeded two lea
gues, he was met by Arangueren, who
was mounted and had an escort of four
teen cavalry.
Colonel Ruiz, after tn exchange Of salu-
tations, began a speech TO Arangueren
and his party, setting forth the prOspec-
tive glories of automatic rule, and, ! am
advised made offers upon the part of the
authorities for the surrender of his com
mand, whereupon Araguren, acting under
the instructions of his generaI-in-chief,
Maxine Gomez. had Colonel Ruiz and his
two men executed.
TT will be remembered that in Noven-
Der last Gomez issued proclamation or
dering his officers to put to death any
person or ersons that should approach
them with the effort TO make them trail
tors to their comrades or cause, or to in
duce them to accept autonomy under
Spanish rule. Arangueren, previous to
the war, lived in Havana with his mother
but has ince been a bold and active Of
ficer Of the insurgent rank.
In accordance with a request made to
me by the Russian consul and other
friends Of Colonel Ruiz and with the
knowledge consent and appreciation of
General Blanco. made the attempt to
save the life Of the Spanish officer by
sending him to Mr.. Ernest Tosca, as my
representative, with the following note:
Havana, Dec 16, 1897.
% Mr. Nestor Aranguren.
My Dear Sir:-I am informed that q
Spanish officer named Colonel 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 Havana. 1
therefore request you as a special favor
TO me to release Colonel Ruiz and to al
low him TO return to this capital The
bearer of this note, Mr.. Ernesto Tosca,
IS my personal representative, and I COM
mend him to you. I am. etc,
(Signed: "'FITZHUGH LEE
'I regret to say" continues General
Lee that my representative did not
reach the insurgent camp in time to de-
liver said note before Colonel Ruiz's exc
cution. which had taken place on the day
of Ruiz's arrival"
on December 80, General Lee wrote as
follows:
tNeIerflNS TO my previous ulSDaJCn, L
desire to say further that the nate to
Arangueren contained therein was not de-
livered, because when my representative
reached his camp this insurgent chief was
temporarily absent therefrom, but the
next ranking officer, then in command,
gave to Mr.. Tosca the following state
ment:
Camp Of Cuba-Details Of the death
of Lieutenant Colonel Joaquin Ruiz: This
gentleman came to these fields dressed in
the uniform of a Spanish military officer
and before the Cuban forces, made to Col
onel Nestor Arangueren propositions for
autonomy for Cuba.
Colonel AranEueren. respecting the
orders Of our army. made Ruiz prisoner
and he was executed later. after a court
martial had been held, and in the name
Of the law OF organization OF our army.
And that il may be known, I furnish this