The record-union., 1896-12-13

place of the meeting, MaceO crossed the
trocha over the road to Guanajay with
out being molested by the forts, but
once arrived at the place decided upon
he and his party were greeted by tre-
mendous volleys from the forces under
Major Cirujeda, lying conveniently
in ambush. Most of the officers fell
with General Maceo. Zertucha is alive,
because he was aware of the scheme
and remained in the rear. The Span
iards know where the bodies are, but
are bent upon feigning ignorance to
blot out the evidence of the crime
Havana and all Spain are rejoicing
but in the midst of their stupidity they
hope that the war may end with the
that, the spirit of the Cubans have
grown more fierce. and they are de-
termined to make every sacrifice before
laying down their arms to the relent-
less tyrants, and in this very province
of Havana, where our army is less num-
erouS, the CubanS are operating with
greater activity than ever, and not a
day passes but you may hear in this
city the firing on Guanacoa. The Span
iards may treacherously murder some
of our patriots, but there is no earthly
power that could annihilate the spirit
of liberty floating now as never over the
Cuban people"
LED TO HIS DEATH BY ZERTUCHA
NEW YORK, Dec. PA sun" spe-
cial from Havana, December 9th, via
Key West, December 18th, says: A
commissioner from the inSurgent camp
came to Havana this morning and
brought news to the Cuban Junta here
that Antonio Maceo, Pancho Gomez
and other members of the staff Of
Maceo had been assassinated by the
Spaniards, in accordance with a plan
contrived through DIR. Maximo Ter
tucha, by the Marquis of Ahumada,
second in command, or Segundo Cabo
of the Captain -Generalcy of the Island
of Cuba. The delegate of the Junta in
Havana was very much surprised at
this startling statement. He knew by
a communication he had received from
Maceo on the 9TH that the Cuban leader
had passed the trocha safely on the 4th,
The commissioner who came this
morning was authorized by General
Jose Maria Aguirre, the Commander
in-Chief Of the Cuban forces in the
Province of Havana. He is an officer
serving under Major Raoul Arrange. He
entered Havana disguised as q peas
ant.
l. What the Junta knows about Maceo's 8
murder is the following: Early in No
vember Maceo received a mysterious
message which appeared to come from
the Marquis of Ahumada, who had full
authority from General Weyler, as the
messenger carried q safe conduct issued
by Weyler personally. Nothing was
written, the message was only verbal.
You know what you risk" said
Maceo to the messenger. ANY man
coming to my camp to bring any pro-
poSal of peace which is not based on
full Independence of the Island of Cuba
can be sure of being hanged
Il know it, was the answer, ''and I
came to offer you an interview with the
Marquis of Ahmuada to arrange the
terms for the evacuation of the island
by the Spanish troops"
At this conference only Brigadier
Miro, Chief OF the Staff of Maceo, was
present
Well" answered Maceo Ego and tell
the Marquis of Ahumada that 1 will
consider the thing and give him an
answer"
Maceo Immediately gathered his
staff, and explaining the situation,
asked the opinion of his subordinates.
Brigadier Miro expressed his belief that
the thing was a scheme Of the Span
iards to catch Maceo in trap. But DR..
Maxine Zeytucha tried to convince the
Cuban leader that it was wise to meet
the Marquis of Ahumada, as the finan-
cial condition of Spain clearly indcat-
ed that the Spanish army would soon
have to abandon the fight. Maceo ac-
cepted the views of Miro, and resolved
to wait
But Maceo received a dispatch from
Gomez that the Commander-in-Ch Chief
with Calixto Garcia, and he thought
that it would be for the best moral ef-
feet if Maceo should pass the trocha
join him and march with him to the
very gates of the city of Havana The
crossing of the trocha was not an easy
affair with a large body of men, and
even when opportunity offered, but the
Cuban soldiers could do it without at
tracing attention. Maceo knew how
and moved to Mariel, but the Spaniards
through Zertucha, knew of his move
ments and of the communication from
Gomez.
On the ID Of December Maceo sent
four men to reconnoiter the trocha on
The north side. They exchanged shots
with the sentinels and by this the Span
ish knew the proximity of the inSur-
gent leader. Then orders were given
by the Spanish commander not to re-
sist. On the Sd Maceo sent some more
scouts, who came back and assured
him that the trocha was not we'll de-
Tended on that side. He passed the
trocha on the night of the 4th without
| resistance, after leaving General Rios
Rivera in command Of the Cuban forces
in the province of Pinar del Rio.
on the 9TH in the morning he sent a
Commissioner to the Junta at Havana
On the 9th, while marching with six
| men, among them Miro, the son of Co
mez and Zertucha, the latter advised
him to take a route through a cane
field which he knew. They did so. and
fell into an ambush of 800 Spaniards
commanded by Major Cirujeda.
IF you surrender" said voice. 1--WE
offer you your life and an honorable
| treaty.
''Viva Cuba Libre," answered Ma
Geo. and then the butchery began.
Pancho Gomez was wounded and fell
before Maceo, but Miro ESCAPED.
At this moment, said the Cuban Com
missioner to the Junta in Havana, a
band of rebels who were going to join
Maceo at the Havana side of MarieI
approached, and We're informed by Miro
of the ambush. The Spaniards had al