The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-13
PALMA'S BITTER ANGUISH
~ ERE IS SPANS ROAsTEn
CfitvALRY 2" f4e EXCLAIMED.
Revenge Will Rekindte the Soldiers ard
World Will Know Spanish Methods
of Warfare.


New York, Dec. 12-'I have received
in atelegram from nay agents in Jackson
ville," said Estrada Palma, head of the
Cuban Junta, to the Associated Press
correspondent, the news that General
Maceo and his staff came into conflict
with Ahumada, Weyler's lieutenant and
were murdered.
DR. Zertucha was present.
THE news did not surprise me, because
the first reports Of General Maeeo's death
were so contradictory, that saw mystery
In them.
Il was inclined to believe that the story
was false, but that il General Maceo had
really been killed, it was by the assas-
sins knife. 1t seems now that he has
been murdered.
General Weyler on addressing the
crowd from the balcony OF his palace in
Havana. seemed anxious to shun the re-
epofsibiiity of Maeeo's death. That was
apparent when he declared that the vic
tory belonged to Ahumada' 1t is possible
that his conscience began to feel the pangs
OF remorse.
.'This very act Of the Spanish Govern
or proves the strength OF the revolution.
They cannot crush it by open warfare
L ney must resort TO the assassin's knife
They dared not face Maeeo, SO they
had to stab him in the back"
Aft}f making the foregoing statement
70 q Exporter Of The Associated Press, DIR.
Palma pondered while and then ex-
claimed in the bitterness of anguish:
ooh, where is the chivalry Of which
Spain so proudly boasts2 The cowardsr
1t was announced at the Junta that q
thorough investigation is already on foot
Every detail that can he obtainable will
be laid before the world so that the whole
truth may be known
Suspicion. it is said at the Junta, points
TO Dr. Zertucha, the personal physician Of
the lamented Maceo. He had his fullest
confidence and pretended to be an ardent
revolutionist For year, it is known
DR. Zertucha has been persuading Maee9
to break through the trocha, and has time
and again offered to show him how easily
It could be done Maceo finally acceded,
the. members Of the Junta declare, and
the knife met him and his devoted staff
The surrender of DIR. Zertucha, the only
member OF the staff who escaped death,
his ready affirmation Of the story of the
pitched battles and bis anxiety to go TO
Spain, it is said, are damaging signs.
''DiscouragedY exclaimed one Of the
Cubans. when asked by the reporter il
such would be the tendency Of the death
of the leader on the minds of the Cubans.
Discourage; no, the blow though
great, viii bear fruit profitable to the
cause. 1t will arouse public sentiment.
1t win show the Spanish method Of war
fare. When the truth is spead among
the soldiers in the field, they viii be spur
red on by the spirit Of revenge and fight,
with redoubed fury"
The Junta makes the additional state
ment that they have been informed that
DIR. Zertucha's solicitations were second
ed by a letter from Ahumada inviting
Maceo to a conference. A letter from
the Marquis, Maceo thought, was
pledge of honor, and he FASTENED to meet
the foe who wished to speak with him.,
perhaps as an accredited agent Of the
Spanish government, and to bring about
peaceful termination OF the bloody con-
ficf