The Portland daily press., 1896-12-14

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lowing in the wake Of both armies, would
murder and plunder and when chased
down By the indignant Cubans, would
find protection within the Spanish lines.
whilst the latter would officially deny all
of murder. A few wesks ago
q band of these men attacked convent
In the rroYince of Puerto Principe, which
was filed with young girls who were
most sham efully abused. Some of these
men we're caught by Gen. Lacret, the in
surgent leader, and executed, while the
greater part found protection within the
Spanish lines. These are the MEN whom
Gen. Weylsr has spent hundreds OF
thousands of dollars to attach to his
cause, and through them he has ordered
the killing of Foreigners whom he dared
not call up in court. To them he has
made offers of reward for the assassina-
tior of innocent leaders. For three weeks
it has been known i'll Havana that
clever bribe was out for the surrender of
Gen. Maceo. 1t was to the effect that he
held the ticket which called for the
grand prize of $50, o00 in the Havana lot
terry. He did not care to call for the
chasing of this cleverly arranged Drine,
and then upon the departure Of Gen.
Weyler for the hills several days ago 1T
killed Maceo could have the prize.
The story of Maceo's death, as told
from official sources, sustains fully the
theory of assassination. Gen. Maeeo. In
stead of crossing the trocha directly With
his men, was, through SOME covert In
fluence, induced to pass Mariel IN noaI
and to reach his forces on the east side OF
nrrfh MI
readiness by the conspiTatcrs, and Dne
brave leader fell a victim to the trap into
which he had walked. 1t is regarded as
yerys singular that Maceo's physician,
Maxine Zertucha, was allowed to surren-
der. Instead of putting him in chains
and rushing him off 10 dungeon, ne is
treated with distinction, Is paraded before
newspaper correspondents ana mas that
rreedom of speech which. is novelty IN
Cuba, The depression into which the
Cubaus were thrown upon the first an
nouncement cf Maceo's death, now that
the fact of his cowardly assassination Is
confirmed, has changed to that OF desper-
ate determination.
Another Man Who Gets Credit for Killing
Madrid. December 12.-The killing OF
Maceo is likely to result in promotion
and other honors for Major cirujeda,
who commanded the Spanish force iulthe
engagement In which the leader lost his
life. Queen Regent Christina today re-
ceived Major Cirujeda's wife and eldest
son. The Queen Regent showed by her
conversation that she appreciated fully
the gain accrued 70 Spain through the
death of Maceo, and spoke warmly In
praise of MAJOR Cirujed;t's bravery in at
tacking largely superior force OF reoeis,
the official dispatches showing that tue
Spaniards we're outnumbered nearly four
to one. She promised as token OF her
appreciation of Major CiruJeda's action
to undertake the expenses OF the educa-
tion of his son.
weyIer Says Maceo Is Dead, but the Peo-
pie Doubt.
Havana, December 12.-The Cubans
disbelieve Maceo's death. The evidence
ia too weak. Zertucha's testimony offers
many contradictions. He has made
different statements. No faith is placed
in declarations made by those who sur
render. 1t is known they will declare
anything to save their lives. 1t is pub
lioly declared that Maceo crossed the
Trocha by sea. Privately it is said he
crossed by the Canas estate near Mariel
and made bold dash across the line
with a few followers, firing on the picket.
It added 1t was Maceo's intention to
CROSS the Trooha and organize forces In
Havana province similar to those IN
Pinar del Rio now perfectly distributed,
comprising 12,u00 men we'll armed and
proyisfoned and commanded by Rions
Rivers. If this is true it will destroy the
rumors in circulation. :.
/ One story says that Maceo was left
alone in the centre of his staff, and an
other TINT Maceo fell leading the charge.
A ccording to Zertucha's story it would
have been impossible for Gomez's son TO
write pencil note declaring Maoeo had
heen killed. 1t is surprising that Zertucha
is ignorant OF Maceo's burial place.
OH the whole all the stories of Maceo' g
death are confusing. The evidence ad-
duceu thus far is not strong enough to
convince the people of MaceO's death.
Many believe be is still in Pinnr del Rio.
Others say his crossing the Trocha means
defeat and gives reason for Weyler to
boast that he pushed him out OF the prov
ince and pacificd it. Others think it ia
only a scheme to create big sensation
here and in Spain. Many reasons are
given for this version. Well informed
persons say the palace officials had been
predicting great event for December Z.
1t is a notable coincidence that Mncao "a
death occurred on the day President
Cleveland gave out his message. 1t ia
also remarkable that the body is still
unbound. Spanish sentiment is divided.
In Havana many still doubt. Maceo has
been killed so often they cannot believe
it. There has been 10 popular demon
stration i'll hunor of the alleged death of
Maceo, yet opinion Is also divided as