Evening star., 1896-12-18
CASTILLO BELIEVES MACEO DEAD.
Opinion Held by Members of the Cuba n
Junta.

Junta.
Dr. ]. Castillo of the Cuban junta, in
New York, says that in the opinion of the
junta there can he little doubt of Maceo's
death, and that it generally is believed
that he came to mis- death through treach-
cry on the part of DR.. Zertucha. In order
to learn the facts about the engagement In
which the patriot was killed, emissaries
rave been sent from Havana to find the
troops which he commanded.
Several have returned and reported that
they could find no trace of the insurgents,
showing that they had retreated further
inland. Five soldiers, who were wounded.
were found in huts, which had beer turn
ed into hospitals. and they told the agents
of the junta that Maceo was not dead.
However, not much faith is pinned on the
assurances of the wounded men of Maceo,
since the latter may have been sho. after
the former had been rendered hors de COM
bat.
The suspicion is that Zertrcha fired the
bullet which ended Maceo's brilliant career,
but it is claimed that the physician had in
formed the Spaniards of the plans of The
Cuban chief. With the Information in their
possession about the intentions of Maceo.
the forces under Major Cirujeda permitted
Maceo to cross the trocha without molest a
ton, and then fell upon him In largely su-
perior numbers at convenient place. In
the opinion of the junta at New York Wey-
spective movement of the insurgents
AS inquiry proceeds further TO confrma-
ton of the story that Maceo was lured
to supposed peace conference can be Cb-
tanned, although it seems that Maceo was
entrapped into an ambuscade through the
Vaccinations of Zertucha.
Efforts are being made to bring an officer
on Maceo's staff to Washington to appear
the Senate.
Doubt Expressed at Havana
special to the Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune from Key West, sent last night
says:
Passengers by tonights steamer from
Havana state that rumors of fighting near
the trocha were rife in Havana today
The movements of troops in the streets
were more frequent than usual, Indicating
important operations under way. The re-
ports in Havana that Maceo is no: dead
have bewildered the people. All the news
papers state that this matter must be sift-
ed out and settled al once They call upon
the officials to have Maceo's and young
Gomez's bodies exhumed and brought into
the city for Identification. All the papers
say that the present Sensational acts and
rumors injure the Spanish cause. Cubans
are still divided in opinion. though the gen.
eral belief is that Maceo is dead.
The reports from Matanzas cannot be
explained. except on the theory that some
of Ruis Rivera, is operating there, ard
then it Is wondered why he is so far east
ward Gomez Is advancing westward, but
owing to strict censorship over the tele-
graph lines and the espionage over all
Amerio an correspondents in Havana, It is
difficult TO get reliable news. 1t Is known
that the officials feel greatly worried over
the state Of affairs around Ma.anzas hut
whether it is Gomez or Rivera VINO is
operating there Is hard to determine
Heavy siege guns have just been mounted
on the outer sea walls Of new fort re-
Gently constructed west Of the city on
the coast. Many new fortifcations have
been built in the city. and Weyler seems
preparing for a siege. This action natrral-
ly awakens suspicion and worries the resi-
dents greatly over the situation. The news
of the departure of another expedition from
the Florida coast for Cuba has caused the
Spanish newspapers to raise another howl
against the Americans and their policy of
surreptitiously aiding those whom they
don't dare help In the open. 1t Is stated
that the government has sent out several
| squadrons Of cavalry to attempt its cap
ture on landing