The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-14
rival Of Weyler in Havana and his
prompt return to Pinar Del Rio.
NJ

ed the trOcha over the road to GuanaJay
without being molested by the forts,
but as soon as he arrived at the place
decided upon he and his party were
greeted by a tremendous volley from
the troops under Maj. Cirujeda. who lay
quietly in ambush Most Of the officers
tucha IS alive because he was aware Of
the scheme and remained in the rear.
The Spaniards know where the bod
les are, but are bent on feigning ign0r-
ance to blot out the vestige Of crime.
Havana and all Spain are rejoicing
because in their stupidity, they hope
that the war may end with the death Of
the leader. Far from it. The spirit Of
the Cubans grows more ardent, and
they are resolved to make every sacri-
ice before surrendering their arms to
their relentless tyrrants. In this pro-
vince of Havana, in which our army is
least numerous and has the least means
Of defense, the Cubans are operating
with greater activity and not day
passes that we do not hear in the city
the firing on Guanabacoa. The Span
iardS may treacherOusly murder some
of our patriots, but no earthly power
can annihilate the spirit of liberty.
people
ESTRADA PALMA VERY BITTER.
New York, Dec 14.-Estrada Palma,
head of the Cuban junta in this coun-
try, made the following statement.
Il have received telegram from my
agents in Jacksonville, affirming the
came into conflict with Ahumada, Wey-
ler's lieutenant, and were murdered.
DR.. Zertucha was present. The news
does not surprise me, because the first
reports of Gen. MaceO's death were SO
contradictory that I saw mystery in
them. I was inclined to believe that the
news was false, but that if Gen. MaceO
had really been killed it was through
the assassin's knife Tt seems now that
he has been murdered. Gen. Weyler. in
his address from the balcony of his pal
ace in Havana, seemed anxious to shun
the responsibility Of Maceo's death This
was apparent when he declared the vic
tory belonged to Ahumada. Tt is pos
sible that his conscience began to feel
the pangs of remOrse. This very act Of
the Spanish governor proves the
strength of the revolution. They can
not crush it by open warfare. They
must resort to the assa ssin's knife. They
dared not face Maceo, so they had to
stab him in the back
1t was announced at the junta that a
thorough investigation was already on
foot and that the guilty man would be
found and every. detail would be laid
before the world, 50 that the whole
truth might be known.
DIR. ZERTUCFIA UNDER SUSPICION
Suspicion,it is said at the junta, points
to DIR. ZertUcha as the Benedict Arnold
of the Cuban revolution The personal
physician of MaceO, he had his fullest
confidence, and pretended to be an ar
dent revOlutionist. although Gomez did
not trust him and sent him to MaceO a
the latter's request. For over a year it
is known DR.. Zertucha had been trying
to persuade Maceo to break through the
trocha, and had time and again offered
to show him how easily it could be
done. Maceo finally acceded, especially
as AhUmada sent a letter inviting him
to a conference, the members of the
junta declare, and the knife met him
and his staff.
The surrender of DR.. zertucha, the
only member of the staff who escaped
death, his ready affirmation of the story
Of the pitched battle and his anxiety to
go to Spain it is said. are damaging
signs. Spain is believed by the traitor
physician to be a safe refuge from the
nemesis he fears is already on his track /
"Discoura ged!' exclaimed one of the
Cubans, when asked if such would be
the effect of the death of the leader on
the minds of the Cubans. .Discoura gedi
MOI The blow. though great will bear
fruit profitable to the cause. 1t viii
arouse public sentiment. 1t will show
the Spanish method of warfare. When
the truth is spread among the soldiers
in the field they will be spurred on by
the spirit Of revenge and fight with
WARNED AGAINST zERTUCHA.
DR. Diaz six weeks ago wrote a letter
to Maceo warning him that Dr.. Ter |
tucha was traitor and that it was he
who had tried to poison Gen SerranO in
the ten years war Diaz said tonight:
There is q society of colored men in /
Havana against whose secret WOrkin gs +
no captain general has been able sue
successfully to cope II Gen. Maceo /
has been murdered. there are men
in that society who would deem it the
highest honor which could befall them /
to be shot or garroted or burned alive
for having plunged the poinard four
times into Zertucha's or Weyler's |
viii not live in cuba SDain will see /
him aboard a shin bound for some 9th
er country. most likely to Spain itself /
But Zertucha is a dangerous man to be /
alive. and Spain knows the wav to get
rid Of those whose confessions she
fears Zertllchats fate is sealed y
NEW YORK PAPERS TNDIC4NA MT /
The paDers here denounce the assas-
sination 6f NTaceo in unneasurel terms