Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-02-12
THE DEATH OF RUIZ.

The Execution Strictly In Accordance with
Military Orders Protected by II Flag
of Truce He Entered the Insurgent Camp
~ Private Citizen and Took His
Chances Report of Consul-General Lee
onthe Execution.
sFAsHINGToN, Feb. s.--The president
yesterday transmitted to the house the
reports from Consul-Gencral Lee rcla-
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 Gen. Lee.
The first, under date of December II, is
in the form of narrative account OF
the circumstances attending the exc
cut:on.
"As a matter of public interest, says
Gen. Lee. IL have the honor to inform
/ the department that on Monday, De-
licember l3, Lieut.. Col. Don Joaquin
Ruiz, of the Spanish corps of engineers,
and aide-de-camp of the captain-gen-
| eral, an officer well and favorably
known in this city, visited Col. Aran-
| guren. an active and enterprising in
surgent chief, with whom he had been
formerl well acquainted as he had
been ip his employment when Ruiz had
charge of the waterworks of this city
Col. Ruiz left here at "a. m., Monday
December 13, alighting at Camp Flo
vido, q miles from this city, where he
breakfasted with the Spanish com
mander, and in company with prac
tices guides, white man and a negro
he rode in the direction of Aranguren'
camp. After he had proceeded two
leagues he was met by Aranguren. who
was mounted and had an escort of Il
cavalry.
Col. Ruiz, after the exchange of salu-
tations, began speech to Arangurer
and his party, setting forth the pros
pective glories of automatic rule, and
am advised, made offers upon the par
of the authorities here for the sur
render of his command, whereupor
Aranguren acting under the instruc
tions of his general-in-chief. Maxine
Gomez. had Col. Ruiz and his two mel
executed.
1t will be remembered that in No
vcmber last Gomez issued proclama
tion ordering his officers put to deaf
any person or persons that should ap
proach them with the effort to max
them traitors to their comrades o
cause. or to induce them to accept AT
tonomy under Spanish rule. Arangurer
previous to the war, lived in llavan
with his mother, but has since been
bold and active officer Of the insurger
ranks.
,, In accordance with request mad
: to me by the Russian consul and othe
/ friends of Col. Ruiz, and with tn
= knowledge. consent and approval {
Gen Blanco, | made the attempt
save the life of the Spanish officer b
sending to Aranguren Mr.. Ernest Tosci
as my representative here, with the 10
lowing note;
HABANA Dec. 49, 1897
| Mr.. Nest0r drdHg nrtn:
+. MY DEAR SIR am informed that SPANS
officer named Col. joaquin Ruiz is your prI
oner | write to say that the said oftcer is
;, personal friend OF mln9 and has shown II
kindness an courtesy since my arrival In II
;, bana therefore request you as n speclal fl
, vor to me. to release Col. Ruiz and to allow hi
+ to return to this capital. The bearer of tn
:, note Mr. Ernesto Tosca, is my personal repr
u sentative and | commend him to you.
:. / am, etc.
Y FITzHUGH LEE
s Il regret to say" continues Ge'
It Lee. that my representative did N
reach the insurgent camp in time
i deliver said note before Col Rulzs ex
d cution, which had taken place on tt
l. day of Ruiz arrival"
J. On December 30 Gen. Lee wrote /
d follows
e Referring to my previous dispatc
l. desire to say further that the note
ic Aranguren contained therein was n
d delivered. because when my represe
Ie tative reached his camp the insurge
n chief was temporarily absent ther
ID from, but the next ranking officer, th'
ID in command, gave to Mr., Tosca the fC
q. lowing Slaleiuenl'
Camp Of Cuba Details Of the death of Lieu
le Col joaquin Ruiz: This gent!cmla came
Is these fields dressed in the uniform of Spa
20 ish military on ssranl before the Cuban fore
20 made to Col Nestor Aranguren propositions
" autonomy for Cuba.
Id Col. Aranguren respecting the orders of {
he army. made Ruiz prisoner and he was e.
If cuted later, after court-martial had be
=. held, ami in the name of the law OF organl
~ tion of our army And that it may be knoN
furnish this information to Mr.. Ernesto L
r. ca. who came commissioned BY the Amerc
h. consul at Habana.
P,YL. Country and Liberty, Army OF Gu
December /, 1891
Id MAI. ALFREDO LINZ
1t now appears that Col. Ruiz visit
the insurgent camp in his private
' unofficial capacity, and that with
=. exception of one or two of the autho
ties of the palace, and possibly +
- others, no one knew of his crrand
" dcparture. 1t would seem. thereto
-. that he went into the insurgent ca
~ in an unofficial or private charact
:. and not under flag of truce or otl
-. official protection in war, proceed
~. always hazardous to the life of any'
=, who attempts it.
:" Both dispatches are addressed to
-, sistant Secretary of State Day, and
No. to Secretary Sherman.
-, FOUR BUSINESS HOUSES.