The news & observer., 1896-12-12
Maceo's Alleged Physician Con-
firms His Death by Details. /
MAcEO HAD ONLY 40 MEN
DR.. Zertucha, Says CirujedA
Narrowly Escaped Defeat.
BUT MANY REFUSE TO BELIEVE
Some Think That Jewelry Was Placed
on Bodyto Becloud Maceo's Move:
ment to Join Gomez Madrid
Still joyful.

Havana, Dec. 11.-Dr. Zertucha, the
personal physician of Antonio Maceo,
who after surrendering to Col. Tort at
San Felipe furnished confirmation Of
the reported death of the great Cuban
leader, has given to the press in an in
terview at Melena Del Sur additional
facts in connection with the case. 1t
seems that Maceo and his companions did
not cross the Trocha or military line of
Pinar del Rio in the sense generally un-
derstood They passed from Pinar del
Rio into Havana province by sea, in an
open boat, five trips being required to
take the whole party Of insurgents from
Pinar del Rio ts Banes, this province
and as the boat would only hold eight
men in addition to it's handlers, it will
be seen that Maceos party was composed
of 40 men only. The night was dark and
stormy. Maceo was accompanied by
Miro, another important insurgent leader
and others of his staff. They landed near
Banes and shortly afterwards occurred
the encounter with the Spanish troops
under Major Cirujeda, resulting, as al
legged, in the death Of the Cuban chief.
The meeting between the Spaniards
and the insurgents was seemingly of an
accidental nature, the former having no
idea at that time that Maceo had sue
ceeded in leaving the province Of Pinar
del Rio.
Some doubt having been thrown upon
the statement that DIR. Zertucha was the
personal physician of Antonio Maceo, he
was questioned on the subject to-day by
the Spanish officials. He declared that
after the death of DIR. Hernandez in
Pinar del Rio physician Of higher rank
in the insurgent army, he succeeded DIR,
Hernandez by appointment as Maceos
physician, leaving the body Of Insurgents
under Diaz, to which he had been attach
ed for that purpose.
DIR. Zertucha also states according to
Spanish authorities that Maj. Cirujeda,
narrowly escaped a severe defeat and
possibly capture at the hands of the In
surgents. He also says that the insur-
gents in the vicinity Of Melena have de-
serted the Cuban cause and have surren-
dered to the Spanish authorities. They
are worn out with the many fatigues
they have endured and the privations
suffered during the long and wearisome
campaign. The Doctor adds that Ber-
mudez, one Of the most important surviv-
ing insurgent leaders was wounded fatal
ly in the abdomen on December 3, in an
engagement fought on the heights Of
Goyernadora with the Spanish troops
under Gen. Inclan.
In spite OF the official accounts Of tile
death of Maceo and Francisco Gomez,
there are many here who refuse to credit
the report. Friends of the insurgents ex-
press their belief that either the jewelIy
and other things alleged to have been
found by the Spanish soldiers did not be-
long to Maeeo or else that they were
placed upon the body as a rtse, in order
TO throw dust in the eyes Of the Span
iards while Maceo pushed on eastward
and communicated with Maxine Gomez
1t is officially stated here to-day that
Miro, the insurgent leader who accom-
panied Antonio Maceo out Of Pinar del
Rio was also wounded by the side of the
great Cuban soldier and that Alberto
Nodarse, Alfredo Justio, Ramon Alum
ade and Goddon, all staff officers Of Ma
Geo were wounded in the fight during
which their leader fell. So the Spanish
official reports claim