Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-02
What Brought About the Execution
/. Of the Former.
SIGNIFICANT LETTER FROM TIE CUBAN
Spanish Officials Trying to Get
the Originals.
BAN LEADERS DEATH
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
Copyright, 1898, by Charles n. Pepper.)

lnurSudy AFTERNOON or tnlS week some
papers bearing on a certain phase of the
insurrection reached me. 1 had sought
| to know the contents of documents which
had been addressed to Colonel Nestor
Aranguren of the insursent army. His
letter giving the account of the execution
| oc Colonel Ruiz had been forwarded and
published. Ruiz's execution was the end
of a chapter in the history of the Cuban
| revolution 1 wanted to know the begin
| ming. That was contained in the prelimi-
| nary correspondence. Some Of us who
! watch the progress of affairs here felt cer-
| tain there would be a sequel. An inkling
had been given that the death Of Ruiz de-
| stroyed in their inception plans which were
| broader in scope than the mere winning
over to Spain through bribery and personal
| friendship of single chief. Beyond that
| disappointment the thirst for vengeance
was consuming one, so it was probable
| there would be sequel to the tragic frus-
| of personal danger and the habitual reck-
lessness of the insurgent leaders in mat
| ters affecting themselves rendered It prob
| able that the opportunity for revenge
| would come. But like most sequels to i'm
| portant events no one could fix the time.
AranSuren's Death.
| That afternoon when long letter was
| placed in my hands containing copies of
the documents sought 1 found it to be
| from Nestor de Aranguren himself and
bearing his signature, which is known to
me. In translating the correspondence
was struck with the sentiments regarding
the United States which were uttered By
Perez who first sought to open negotia-
tions with Aranguren. Perez was a minor
chief who took the first chance to present
himself. What he himself says on any
subject would be of little moment His
sentiments and the language in which they
were clothed are similar to other utter
aEces which bear the impress Of Spanish
official inspiration. The United States has
let 100000 helpless people be starved to
death, while forbearing to exercise tie
right claimed to stop it. The only thanks
for its forbearance is the taunt that II
awaits the chance to seize Cuba bleeding
end impov verished. This will become more
apparent later when critical developments
bring out the avowal of the genuine Span
ish feeling toward the United States.
This. idea had impressed itself on my
mind, and in the evening at dinner spoke
of it, mentioning Arangurens name. The
name was overheard, and one of the per-
sons sitting near said: Yes. it's true. Cen
eral Lee has just received word that
they've brought the body in
Whose body?'
why, Aranguren's.'
General Lee was dining with some of the
officers of the Maine In answer to ques-
ton he said he had received the report.
Confirmation came quickly. Aranguren
had been surprised at his rendezvous be-
tween Camp Florido and the Topaste hills,
the hut in which he was staying had been
surrounded by three columns of infantry,
and squadron of cavalry, the battalions
being those of Reina and of Figaro. under
command of Colonel Aranzabe and Lieu
tenant Colonel Benedicto. He had been be-
trayed by negro. to whom his presence
was known. The dead body was confirma-
he ltraI tad
sequel had come. With 1t the story is COM
plete. What is contained in the first chap
ter as transmitted from Aranguren himself
] have translated more with regard to a
literal rendering than to grammar. Some
lines are omitted from Aranguren's state
ment, but they are unimportant. Herewith
is given his history of the events which
have been followed so swiftly by his own
death. 1t may have been the last letter he
wrote.
Letter of Significance.
CAMPS OF CUBA. January "a, 1898.
My Dear Friends Approximately in
the last days of November past 1 received
letter from the traitor, Christopher Perez,
who formerly belonged to this army
couched in these terms:
"Senor Nestor Aranguren
Esteemed Friend: He who today has the
pleasure of addressing you and who with
pleasure was your companion for some time
and owed to an attack Of fever which he
suffered in that place and at the same time
foreseeing that new era might come as
1t has come, for which reason I withdrew
from the field. thus it Is that today, when
have seen the benefits and reforms which
the Spanish government proposes to con-
cede 10 the country, as already it Is giving
proofs of this the new civil governrnent
having been named, all autonomists who
are now engaged in the discharge of their
positions. and take the liberty to advise
You to proceed equally with your subordi-
mates that they may accede to and accept
amnesty since in the event that you may
determine to do SO 1 have influential per-
sons to treat with on the subject. No doubt
exists that the reforms are certain, ample
and sincere.
General Blanco is resolved to implant
autonomy. To understand that this is so
tegristas Spanish conservatives) show
themselves. Within autonomy much good
can be done the country by all those who
loyalty wish it.
IF ideas of personal profit or of hatred
may take away the true patriotism that
may remain afterward I counsel you to
lay aside arms and aid the common good.
The misfortune Of all the families that
suffer by the war thus advises it.
To continue the combat today will only
pront the most brutal part of the colored
race: which brings second purpose to it's
continuance. This last concerns the true
patriots who sincerely occupy themselves
with the conservation and progress of this
island to forecast the result. It Is neces-
Sdry also 10 Dc convinced that these noble
ideas will not be satisfied by the solution
imposed by the United States. No nation
does favors without value received, and II
We allow ourselves to be protected It will
be at the cost of our Independence.
I'VE should not be deceived. The Yankees
will absorb us. and this independence for
which SO much blood has been shed we
would be compelled to reconquer it against
country Of 100000 people, The gov
ernment Of the United States. prohibited
by the powers OF Europe. is not capable
Of doing anything decisive. The United
States dreams that It will remain possess 4
ors OF this island, and 1t serves their pur-
poses that blood flows and the land is inn
poyerished in order to obtain 1t cheapiy
and In time, because possession Il not ur-
gent. It Ii sufncient for them by aiding
under cover to sustain a war that ruins
and weakens US. Bleeding and starving.
the hour Of triumph for false diplomacies
having arrived, we will be subjugated with
out resistance ON our part. Today there
can be only friends and enemies Of the
country, and these win be the friends Of
peace or its foes. What IL related above
supplicate you to mediate with prudence,
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