The San Francisco call., 1896-12-13
With Weyler, He Plotted to Lure
the Gallant General Into
an AmbuScade.
TACTICS THAT WILL CAUSE THE
WORLD TO sHUDDER.
The Dashing Cavalry Leader of the
Cubans and His Staff Officers
Slain by Cowards.

. JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Dec. 12.-J. A.
Haua, the agent of the Cuban Junta here,
has received letter which confirms the
report of the death of Antonio Maceo,
but also indicates that the Cuban leader
was the victim of a treacherous plot
formed by his own physician, Dr., Ter
tucha, and the Marquis Ahumada, who
acts as Captain-General of Havana when
Weyler is absent in the field. The letter.
which was written by a prominent citizen
of Havana, whose name is withheld in
order that be may not fall under the dis.
pleasure of the Spanish authorities, is as
follows:
HAVANA, Dec. 8, 1896.
'''Dear Friend JtCstO: We are at present
under the sad impression, caused by the
death of our brave general, Antonio
Maceo, murdered, together with the
greater part of his staff, by the Spaniards,
acting under the assassin, Major Cirujeda,
and as instrumental in this horrible
drama Maceo's surgeon, DR.. Maxine Ter
tueha.
{; Convinced as Weyler was that he could
do nothing against our ealIant general,
who so repeatedly defeated the Spanish
forces ia soar del Rio. he conceived the
ides of appeastng his beastiy instincts by
scold;blooded murder, and making the best
of the secret relations between DR.. Ter
tucha and the Marquis of Ahumada, con-
.cocted the heilish scheme.
"Weyler took the field and in his abb
kence Ahumada proposed, through Ter
tucha, conference with Maeeo, to take
: place at certain point in the province Of
Havana, with view of arranging plans
for the cessation of hostiIities on the basis
of Cuba's independence and monetary
inde mnity to Spain. with, moreover, GER
tain advantages that would be agreed
upon for Spanish commerce and Spanish
capital here invested. To carry out the
plans orders had been given TO the detach-
ments of troops stationed at the trocha in
the section between Marial and Guiana
juaco for Maceo with his staff to pass the
military line unmolested. The combina-
tions took time to mature and to give the
sembIance of truth. Ahumada feigned
that before acting he must make known
his plans to Weyler for his previous ap-
proval; and this explains the sudden ar
rival of Weyler at Havana and his prompt
return to Pinar del Rio.
Having arranged the conditions and
place OF meeting Maceo crossed the trocha
over the road to Guapajaco without being
molested by the forts, but once arrived at
the place decided upon he and his party
were greeted by tremendous voIleys from
the forces under Major Cirejuda, lying
conveniently in ambush. Most of the Off
GERS 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 are bent
on feigning ignorance to blot out the
vestiges of the crime.
Havana and all Spain are rejoicing be-
cause in the midst of their stupidity they
hope that the war may end with the death
of this gallant leader. Far from this, the
spirit of the Cubans has grown more ar
dent. and to-day the latter are resolved to
make every sacrifice before laying down
their arms to the relentless tyrants, and
in this province of Havana, where our
army IS less numerous and has less means
of defense, the Cubans are operating with
greater activity than ever, and not day
passes but that we do not hear in this city
the firing on Guanabaiaco. The Spaniards
may treacherously murder. some of our
patriots. but there is no earthly power
that could aDnihilate the spirit OF liberty
floating now as ever over the Cuban peo-
pie"
Speaking of the letter, Mr.. Haua said ::
"Maceo is dead, but Cuba will live long.
The death of no one man can crush the
brave spirit of the patriots of Cuba who
are fighting gallantly for liberty. Maceo
was not killed fairly or in honest battle,
but through the murderous treachery OF
his physician, DR.. Zertucha, and the act
ing captain-general of Cuba, the Marquis
Ahumada. Thirty-four members Of his
staff were murdered with him every man
lof the staff with. the exception of the
.treacherous Zertucha.
THE Spaniards say" added Mr.. Haua,
"that they do not know where Maceo's
body is. They know full well. They
have buried it to cover their treachery to
degree, aud will exhume it soon to say,
'Ah; here is the body Of Maceo.'