New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-08
THE KILLING OF COLONEL RUIZ.
REPORTS FROM coNsUL-GENERAL LEE SENT T.
THE HOUSE BY THE PRESIDENT

THE HOUSE BIZ THE PRESIDENT
Washington. Feb The President to-day trans
nitted TO the House the reports from Consu-Gen-
eral Lee relative 70 the execution OF Colonel Ruiz
which were called for by resolution. The reports
consist Of two di,patche. the State Department
from General Lee. The first. under date OF Decem-
Der a. Is In N. form OF narrative account OF the
circumstances attending the execution. "As a
matter OF public interest" says General Lee. Il
have the honor 10 inform the Department that
Monday. December ~ Leutenant-Colonel Den
Joaquin Ruiz OF the Spanish corps OF engineers ard
aid,-de-camp OF the Captan-General. an officer
well and ,avorably known in the city. visited Colonel
Aranguren. an active and enterprising insurgent
chief with whom he had been formerly well ac-
ouainted as he had been in his employment when
Ruiz had charge OF the waterworks o. this city.
Colonel Ruiz left here at a. m Monday, December
a. aliehtng a. Camp Fovido. twenty-one miles
from this city where he breakfasted with the Span
ish commander. and in company with PRACTICES
guides a white man and a negro. ne rode on horse
back in the direction OF Arang-rens camp After he
had proceeded TWO leagues he was met by Aran-
giIren who was mounted and had an escort OF four
teen cavalry Colonel Ruiz after the exchange OF
saIutatons. began speech 10 Aranguren and his
marty setting forth the prospective glories OF
tonoma,ic rule and advised. made offers upon
the part OF tho authorities here for the surrender
~ his command whereupon Aranguren. acting upon
tho instructions Of his General-in chic. Maxine
Gomez had Colonel Ruiz and his two men executed.
1T will he remembered that in November last
Gomez issued a proclamation ordering his officers
to put death any person or persons that should
approach them with the effort 10 make them trait
ORG 70 their comrades. cause. or 70 induce them
N accent autonomy under Spanish rule. Aranguren
previous TO the lived in Havana with his
mother but has since been bold and active officer
~ the insurgent ranks In accordance with
oues, made TO me by the Russian Consul. and other
friends OF Colonel Ruiz. and with the knowledge.
consent and approval OF General Blanco. made the
atteu1pt TO save the life OF the Spanish officer by
sending to him Mr.. Ernesto Tosca, as my repre-
sentative here. with the following note
Havana. December Is. 1897
My Dear Sir: informed that Spanish ON
cor named Colonel joaquin Ruiz is your prisoner |
write TO saw that the said office, is personal friend
Of mine and mas sh9wn me Khdness and courtesy
as special favor 10 me to release Colonel Ruiz and
10 a ibs n n Mr. Ernesto Tosca my personal
representative. and commend him 70 YOU | am.
II regrat 10 say continued General Lee. that
my representative did not reach the insurgent camp
IN time to deliver said note before Colonel Ruizs
execution which had taken place on the day Of
Tosca's arrival
on December 80 General Lee wrote as follows
Referring to my previous Dispatch desire to say
further that the note TO Aranguren contained there
in was not delivered. because when my representa-
tive reached mis- camp this lnsurgent chief was
absent tnerelrOU, out tho next ranking
officer then in command, gave 10 Mr. Tosca the
following statement:
Camp OF Cuba.
"Details OF the death OF Lieutenant Colonel Joaquin
RuIz-This gentleman came 10 these fields dressed in
the uniform OF d Spanish military officer. and before
the Cuban forces made 10 Colonel Nestor Aranguren
,ronositIons Of autonomy for Cuba. Colonel Aran-
panren respecting the orders Of Army made
Ruiz prisoner, and he was executed later. after
court-martal mad been held and in the name Of the
law Of examination OF our Army. And that It may
be- known. | furnish this information TO Mr..
Ernesto Tosca. who came commissioned by the
American Consul al Havana
"P Y l.. Country and Liberty Army OF Cuba.
December IS. 1881 49,
MAJOR ALFREDO LIMA"
II now appears that Colonel Ruiz visited ths in
surgent camp in his private or unofficial capacity
and that with the exception Of two OF the
authorities Of the Palace and possibly few others
"a one knew OF his errand or departure II would
IN therefore that he went into the nsurgent
ANN in an unofficial or private character. and not
under flag OF truce or other ot1cial protection in
a,sr a procedure always hazardous 10 the life OF
anv one who attempts II
roth these dispatches are addressed 70 Assistant
SsCre,ary Day and not 10 Secretary Sherman