The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-12-17
WAS SHOT FROM AMBUSH
MACEO SAID TO HAVE BEEN DRUT-
ALLY MURDERED.
weyier, Through the Medium of the
Marquis of Ahumnda, Asked
for Conference

Jacksonville, Fla. Dec. 12.-The Citizen
tomorrow Will contain the following rela-
tive to the death of Antonio Maceo:
Justo Carrillo a well-known Cuban Of
this city. brother OF the Cuban GARLIC,
has received the following letter from
trustworthy correspondent in Havana con-
corning the report of the death of Antonio
Maceo and showing that he was killed by
treachery:
Havana, Dec. 12.-Dear Friend Justo: Our
brave general. Antonio Naceo. and the greater
part Of his STAFF have been murdered by the
Spaniards, the Spanish major, Cirujeda, act
ing the part of assassin with Dr. Maxine Ter
tucha as assistant in the horrible drama.
Convinced that notwithstanding his enormous
army, he could do nothing against gallant
leader who had repeatedly defeated the
Spanish generals I'm Pinar del Rio. Weyler con-
ceiyed the idea of appeasng his beastly in
stincts by cold-blooded murder making the
best Of the secret relations between Dr. Ter
tucha and Marquis of Ahumada, he planned
with the latter his hellsh scheme.
Weyler took the field and in his scheme All
umada proposed through Zertucha conference
with Maceo to take place at 4 certain point
in the province of Havana, with the view of
arranging plans for the cessation of hostili-
ties. The basis was to be Cuba's independ-
ence and a monetary indemnity TO Spain. 10
gether with certain advantages that should
be agreed upon for Spanish commerce and
Spanish capital invested there.
To carry out the plan. the agreement was
that orders should be given to the detachments
of troops stationed on the trocha on the section
between Mariel and Guanajay to allow Maceo
with his staff to pass the military line unmo-
Tested.
Time required to mature these arrange
ments and to give them all the appearance OF
truth. Ahumada feigned that before acting
he must make them known to Weyler for rre
vious approval. This explanation Is the sud
den arrival of Weyier in Havana and his
prompt return to Pinar del Rio.
The conditions and place of the meeting hav-
ing been agreed on, Maceo crossed the trocha,
over the road to Guanajay without being mo-
Tested by the forts but soon he arrived
at the place decided upon he and his party
was greeted by tremendous volley from the
troops under Major Cirujeda. who lay con-
venently in ambush.
Most OF the officers his staff fell with
General Maceo. Zertucha is alive because he
was aware OF the scheme and remained in the
rear. The Spaniards know where the bodies
are but bent fegning ignorance to
blot out the vestiges of the crime. Havana
and all Spain are rejoicing because in their
stupidity they hope to end the In the
death OF this leader Far from it, the spirit
of the Cuban has grown more ardent and today
they are resolved to make every sacrifice be-
fore surrendering their to their relenries-
tyrants. In this very province of Havana, IN
which our army Is least numerous and has the
least means of defense. the Cubans operlt-
ing with greater and greater activity and rot
day passes that we do not hear in this city
the firing on Guanabacoa.
The Spaniards may treacherously murder
some OF our patriots, but no earthly power can
annhilate the spirit of liberty flowing.
as ever, over the Cuban people.
Joaquin Forum pointed out yesterday
the following facts, which, in his opinion,
oorroborated the statements in the fore
going letter, and Indicate that Maceo is
really dead:
Birst-La Lucha published an article last
Saturday in which 1t stated that on the
previous day Major Cirujeda had had
gagement with insurgent force and had
killed 81 Cubans not named at precisely the
place In which Maceo was murdered.
Second-The first dispatch from Havana re-
porting Maceos death. which was received
Tuesday, stated that Major Cirujeda had pre-
vious knowledge of the horse that General Ma
Geo was to ride. How did he acquire that
knowledge?
Third-Weyler publicly attributed the glory
of the event to the marquis of Ahumada who
not the glory be given exclusively to Major
Cirujeda, who had the good fortune. If the en-
counter was an accident, to come unexpectedly
on Maceos party?
Fourth-From the first, even before conyinc-
ing proofs had been offered, such assurance
preconcerted plan.
f1tth-Zetrucha's previous conduct. 1t TOW
appears, is not altogether free from blemish.
SiNth-A manifest contradiction appears be-
tween what is said by the authorities in Ha-
vana and what the Spanish minister of foreign
affairs announces in his confirmatorv Telegram
to Minister De LONE at Washington The Ifa-
vana authorities distinctly say they have been
unable to secure the body OF Maceo while the
Madrid telegram states the body has been
Identified This version transmitted to
Madrid to give the home government full ass,ir-
ance OF the fact, while 1t was later thought fit
to conceal the truth from the press in Havana
IN order to conceal the dastardy crime.