The case of Dr. Ruiz.

One of the most flagrant of these outrages was the imprisonment of Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, a Cuban by birth, but a naturalized citizen of the United States.  He was a dentist by profession, having studied in a Pennsylvania dental college, and after receiving his diploma, he returned to his native country to practice his profession.

He was accused of being in sympathy with the revolutionists, arrested and kept in prison for two years, when he died, probably from violence.  In the following letter, written from Havana, regarding the case, will be seen the reasons for this supposition: 

“Ruiz died, according to the surgeons, from congestion of the brain, caused by a blow or blows.  When General Lee and Mr. Calhoun visited the jail in Guanabacoa, they were shown the cell in which the Spanish say that Ruiz died.  The guard explained to General Lee and Mr. Calhoun that he heard thumping on the inside of the door, and when he opened it and went in, Ruiz was running at the heavy door and butting it with his head.  Ruiz had only one wound on the top of his head.  Had he butted this door, as the jailer says, his scalp must necessarily have been lacerated in several places.”

Julio Sanguilly is another American citizen who was tried for treason, and sentenced to life imprisonment.  This case attracted a great deal of attention in the United States, and a resolution was passed by the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, making a demand on the Spanish government for his release.  During the debate on this resolution, Senator Daniel, of Virginia, said: 

“Two years ago yesterday, Julio Sanguilly, an American citizen, was thrown into prison.  Two years have gone by and this government has done practically nothing for this citizen.  Great Britain would have released him as soon as one of her battleships could reach Havana.  He has been brutally treated and condemned on unsworn testimony before military tribunals.  This country and all civilization have been disgraced by the treatment meted out to this unfortunate man.  Every citizen of this country would have patriotically applauded the President if he had sent a fleet of American battleships and compelled the release, of this American citizen, whose country has been insulted by the treatment accorded to him and to our representative in Cuba.”

The Prime Minister at Madrid, realizing that trouble of a serious nature was likely to come from this affair, cabled Weyler to discharge the prisoner from custody, and banish him from the island.

Sanguilly immediately came to the United States, where he was warmly received by his friends, and he has since been actively engaged in work for Cuba’s freedom.