Evening journal., 1896-12-10
THE TALE OF CIRUJEDA
His Story of Maceo's Death Is
Not Believed.
IT is DOUBTED EVEN IN HAVANA

Spanish Authorities still Insist That tho |
Great Patriot Leader Is ID. ad-Cuba's
Friends Believe He win Strike Many |
More Blows For Freedom.
HAVANA, Dec 10-The confident claims
of the Spanish officials that they have
abundant proof of the death of Antonio
Nlaceo and his young aid, Francisco Co
anez, son of Maxine Gomez. continue
without abatement. The details which
are now announced, however, of the facts
relied upon for the Identification of the
two Cubans have caused a strong under
current of doubt in this city.
Major Cirujeda, who commanded the
Spanish forces in the engagement at Pun
Ia Bravo on Monday and whose troops are
alleged to have discovered the two bodies
and gave the evidence Of Identification,
has consented to be interviewed on The
circumstances of the case He said to a
newspaper correspondent that when the
rcbels were routed it was evident that the
body of the chief was abandoned on the
field. The Spanish column, without stop
ping to explore the field, went in hot pur-
suit of the insurgents and followed them
for mile or more. Meantime young Go
mcz is supposed to have committed suicide
by Maceo's side.
While the troops were returning TO
Guatao, after the pursuit had ceased, va
rious gucrrillas belonging to Major Clru-
iOda's command went over the 1eiu Where
the rout of the insurgents had occurred
and searched the bodies remaining there
for anything of Importance.
"The body Of Maceo," Major Cirujeda
continued, ..was relieved OF ring, cloth
ing. etc The guerrilla who performed the
act was at the time quite unaware that
the body was that Of Maceo In fact, lit
tie attention was paid to the identity of
the bodies. 1t was already dark on the
field, and it was raining. Various other
bodies were also searched
1t was an adiutant. according 60 Major
Ciruieda's further statement, who insisted
that the above mentioned body and the
other, which was lying by its side, were
evidently of Importance and that they
must not thus be left without identitica-
tion.
Bodies Tied to Horses Tails.
"The two bodies were therefore tied by
tho feet to the tails of some horses, - Ma
jor Ciruieda went on to relate, "and thus
dragged over the ground, the intention be-
ing to carry them to town for identfica-
ton. But after proceeding for a mile the
horses became tired with their burden, and
the bodies were therefore cut loose and
left in the road. "
When the troops reached Guatao Major
Ciruieda proceeded to read the documents
which had been found upon the bodies
and which have already been described in
these dispatches.
After reading these documents Major
Ciruieda says he became convinced that
the bodies which his troops had abandoned
were those of Antonio Maceo and young
Gomez But it was then too late to return
and reeover them. Major Ciruieda, how
ever, expresses the firm convictions that
they were those of Maceo and Maximo Co
mez son.
With the insurgents in this battle, Ma
jor Ciruieda says was beautiful Amazon,
about % years of age, who urged the rob
els 10 A la macheter' but at the same time
interposed to prevent the killing Of the
prisoners.
Major Cirujeda has taken charge Of the
objects found on the body said to be that
of MaceO for further examination. There
were a gold watch, splendid pair Of cuff
buttons, made by Moreau Torin, Paris,
with five pointed stars on them and in
closed in a Zig strapped leather case; a
hunting knife with an ebony handle and
gold mounted and a good waterproof coat.
All Of these were taken from the body by
the scout Santa Ana.
1t is thus seen that there has been nc
actual Identification of the bodies them
selves, the conviction as to their identity
resting upon the evidence of documents
and articles found upon them. There i,
no doubt however, of the assurance of the
general public here that Maceo is dead II
Is pointed out that he met his death in
manner similar to that of Jose Marti anC
Zayas.