Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-08
REPORTS OF THE AFFAIR FROM
CONSUL GENERAL LEE.
WAS SENT TO URGE AUTONOMY.
FOR THIS HE WAS CAPTURED AND
KILLED BY INSURGENTS.
Colonel Aransuren Acted Under In
structions of General Gomez
Ruiz Had Worked Under
Aranguren-His Guides
Also Executed.

day transmitted to the house the reports
from Consul General Lee relating TO the
execution of Colonel Ruiz. which the mousse
called for by resolution. These reports con-
sist of two dispatches to the state depart
ment from General Lee. The first, under
date of December 2l is in the form OF
narrative account of the circumstances
attending the execution.
LAS a matter of public interest, says
General Lee, Il have the honor to inform
the department that on Monday, December
IL, Lieutenant Colonel Don Joanquin Rulz,
of the Spanish corps of engineers ana
aide de camp of the captain general. an
officer well and favoraby known in this
city, visited Colonel Aranguren, an active
and enterprising insurgent chief with whom
he had been formerly we'll acquainted as he
had been in his employment when Ruiz had
charge of the water works of this city.
Colonel Ruiz left here at a. m. Mon
day. December 1S. alighting at Camp Flo
vido. twenty-one miles from this city,
where he breakfasted with the Spanish
commander and in company with practi-
cos (guide). Il white man and negro,
he rode on horseback in the direction of
Aranguren's camp. After he had proceeded
two leagues he was met by Aranguren, who
was mounted and had an escort of four
teen cavalry. Colonel Ruiz. after the ex-
change of salutations. began speech to
Aranguren and his party. setting forth the
prospective glories of autonomatic rule.
and. am advised. made offers upon the
part of the authorities for the surrender
Of his command, whereupon Aranguren.
acting upon the instructions of his general
in chief, Maxine Gomex. had Colonel Ruiz
and his two men executed.
ut will be remembered that in November
last Gomez issued proclamation ordering
his officers to put to death any person or
persons that should approach them with
the effort to make them traitors to their
comrades or cause. or to induce them to ac-
cept autonomy under Spanish rule. Aran-
guren, previous to the war, lived in Ha-
vana with his mother, but has since been
bold and active officer of the insurgent
ranks.
In accordance with a request made to me
by the Russian consul and other friends of
Colonel Ruiz and with the knowledge, con-
sent and approval of General Blanco. 1
made the attempt to save the life of the
Spanish officer by sending to him Mr.. Ern-
est Tosca. as my representative. with the
following note:
Mr.. Nestor Aranguren.
My dear Sir:-l am Informed that a
Spanish officer named Colonel Ruiz is your
officer is a personal friend of mine and
has shown me kindness and courtesy since
my arrival in Havana. 1 therefore request
Colonel Ruiz and to allow him to return
to this capital. The bearer of this note,
Mr.. Elnesto Tosca, is my personal repre-
sentative and commend him to you.
4z@ 1F'i FirzauGH s.fii LEE
81 regret to sGy," continues General Lee,
that my representative did not reach the
insurgent camp in time to deliver said note
before Colonel Ruiz execution. which had
taken place on the day of Ruiz arrival"
On December 80 General Lee wrote as fol-
lows:
Referring to my previous dispatch. de-
sire to say further that the note to Arangu-
rem contained therein was not delivered be-
cause when my representative reached his
camp this insurgent chief was temporarily
absent therefrom. but the next ranking Of
the following statement:
Camp Of Cuba-Details of the death Of
the uniform of a Spanish military officer
and before the Cuban forces made to Colo.
mel Nestor Aranguren propositions of
Colonel Arangurent respecting the orders
OF our made made RSz prisoner and he
had been held. and in the name of the Law
of organization Of our army: And that 1t
may be known. l furnish this Information
to Mr.. Ernesto Tosca, who came commits
stoned by the American consul at Havana.
MAJOR ALFREDO LIMA
at now appears that Colonel Ruiz visited
the insurgent camp in his private or unof-
ticial capacity and that with the exception
| of one or two Of the authorities of the
| knew Of his errand or departure. 1t would
seem. therefore, that he went into the in.
surgent camp in an unofficial or private
character and not under a flag of truce. or
other official protection in war. procedure
always hazardous to the life of anyone who
attempts it,
Assistant Secretary of State Day and not tc
| Secretary Sherman.