The morning times., 1896-12-14
MACE0'5 DEATH DOUBTED
CubanS i'm Havana Refuse to Be-
lieye the Reports.
EVIDENCE Is TOO WEAK
Testimony Offers Many
Contradictions-Ma BE Plot
TO Divert Public Attention
fsh Sentiment Also Dlvided-More
Victories Claimed Over Insurgentg.

Victories Claimed Over Insurgentg.
Havana, Dec. l3, via Key West, Fla,
Dec. l3-The CEhaRs dlsDciieve Maceo's
death. The evidence is too weak. Ter
tucna's testimony oilers many cont adic-
JIvns. lie has made different statements.
No faitn Is placed in declarations made 10y
those who surrender. IL Is known they
VIII state anything 10 save life.
II is publicly GtCl2rrd Aaceo crossed
the trocha 10y sea. Privately, it is said
he crossed by the4aHas estate, near Maricl,
and made a bold dasl across the line with
= few followers, firing on pCkcts. IL is
added IL was MaCeo'a Intention 10 cross
the traCha and organize the forces IN
Havana province similar To those in Pinar
del Rio, now perfectly distributed, COIN
nnslng 1000 men, well armed and pro-
hislYHed, and commanded toy Rios Rivera.
III this = true ~ viii destroy the rumors
IN circulation.
one story says Maceo was left alone in
tie center of the tJafI, and aLothcr that
Maceu felI. leading the charge. According
70 ZeTtuCha's story IL would have been lin-
possible FOR Comes son 10 write pencil
note declaring MaCco had been killed. II
II surprising Zertucha signorant or Maceo's
burial place.
on iI,r whole, all stories of Maceo's
death are confusing. The evidence adj
duced 50 far is not strong enough To CON
vince people OF MaCeOs Geath. Many
believe be Is still in Pinar del Rio. Others
say his crossing the trocha means defeat
and gives reason for Weylcr To boast he
pushed him out Of the prov Nince and paCi-
fed the same.
Others think IL is only q scheme to
create a big sensation here and in Spain
and divert attention from the effect OF
Cieyelands message, with the possible
view OF making concessions TO the rebels
at once, as the leader of the alleged negro
movement has disappeared. This would
not De possible if Maceo existed OIL aC-
account orthe Spaniards' tremendous hatred
Of Maceo's personality.
MACEO'S DEATH DOUBTED.
Many reasons are given for this version.
Wen Informed persons say palace Off
Gals had been prcLicting great event
for December Z. IL is a notable coin
cideuce that Maceo's death occurred OH
the same day that Cleveland gave his
message. II is also remarkable that the
body is still unfound.
Spanish sentiment is divided in Havana.
Many still doubt. Maceo has been killed
so often they cannot believe it. There has
been no popular demonstration in honor Of
the alleged death of Maceo yet.
Opinion is also divided as TO the honor OF
and Others to Cirujeda. A ina jority give
credit to Weyler. The majority OF Span
iards ridiCule the story of Maceo cross
ing the troCha in boat ard say i is told
simply 10 maintain the Integrity OF the
trocha and prevent ArUlaS committing sui
eide, as he threatened If Maceo crossed.
Weyler's arrival was spectacular. All
was prepared TO create an impression ;.nd
wipe out ilI-feelings among the Spaniards
nP fai lu m pl ma 1v
people We're in the streets there was no real
enthusiasm. The crowd cheered mostly fer
Spain and the army, a few for Weyler and
Cirujcda.
At the palace there was some excitement
when Weyler spoke from the balcony.
Soon the crowd dissolved and the ,ity took
on the usual quiet aspect. 1t seems some
fears were entertained OF a demonstration
against the United States consulate. as
soldiers were stationed around the build
ing, but nothing happened.
MORE VICTORIES CLAIMED.
Havana. Dec. l3.-OfnCiai advice, from
the province of Finar del Rio are 10 the
effect that Col Pei iuo, acting under orders
from Capt Gen. Weyier. left Campo Florida
near Havana. and went in search Of the
rebels under Acuirre. CastillQ. AranSurcn
and other leaders.
TIE Insurgents, comprising 300 ,avalry
we're found at La Luz rancho. and we're at
fnrked and defeated TIE Spanish troops
pur>ued them and several fights occurred
at other puiut,, m which the rebels were
Invariably defeated In all these en-
counters the rebels lost seven killed and IN,
trUnp- five w ouuded.
on Saturday Col. Feijuo's command mel
q body q rebels al Tumba CUatro and dis
lodged them from their positions. The IN
~urEcuts LEFT eleven dead on the field and
carried many wounded with them on then
retreat The Spanish loss was nineteeI
wounded
The Havana Volunteers organized grand
iDrChhEut procession and unarmed demon
>lration Ia homer OF General weyIer To-
night. Large crowds were out to witness
tie demonstration
The pAraders, who were accompanied by
several bands OF music, marched through
the principal streets and then proceeded e
the palace, where great crowd had as
sembled. General Weyler was most en-
Enthusiastically cheered and there were
many cries OF Long live the King
Long live Spain," and other patriotic
phrases.
A number OF speeches We're made, il
which the speakers expressed the greatest
loyalty TO crown and country, and urged
their hearers to lay down their lives, il
necessary, for the honor OF Spain. Al
the speakers were cheered to the echo
General Weyler will return to the province
Of Pinar del Rio this week.
FEVER KILLING SOLDIERS.
Chicago, Dee. l3. DR. Charles n Thoma
returned to Chicago yesterday from
months visit 10 Cuba. He said he wa:
watched da Y and night by a Spanish detec
tive and Travelled as a land agent.
lie obtained written authority in Havana
which, in addition 10 his American pass
N ha N,
| make his observations, but that 20 00(
! soldiers whom he passed would have aSkeC
nothing better than to kill him with a knife
He asserted that if the Cubans can hole
out they viii never have to win a pitched
battle. Yellow fever and smallpox ar
doing more deadly work than the arm,
| OF insurgents could do with bullets. HI
estimated Spain's daily expense of con
ducting he war at 100000. He added:
1T Is liberty or death with the Cubans
Spain VIII have to crush out the life O
every insurgent before she can end th
| war. No compromise will be accepted now
| only one-slNth Of the island is unde
cultivation. The Cubans, if free, woult
| ask for annexation to the United State
| and then the garden spot OF tie worl,
would be thrown open to American colon
lists. Cuba could support 1O, 900 COO peo
| pie, and under American enterprise woul
| become the greatest wealth-producing Spo
IN the world. Henceforth my voice vii
be uplifbcd in the interest of the patriots"
Columbus, Ohio, Dec. ia Cuban in
surgent recruiting office has been opene
| at the Grand Central Hotel here. TIL
man in charge of the office seems to bav
| plenty OF money. he is engaging nor
| commissioned officers of the Seventeenth
Regiment, United States Army, locate
here, as they are discharged on the eS
| piraJion OF their terms OF enlistment, pay
| ing them $50 per month. A detachment @
ten viii leave here next week, going b
way Of New Orleans.
| SPANISH CONSUL SUED.
| Jacksonville Fla Dec I3-W A Fl