Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-13
!, THEY DOUBT HIS DEATH.
Cubans In Havana Give Many Reasons
 For Discrediting the Report.

Cubans In Havana Give Many Reasons
 For Discrediting the Report.
 Havana. Dec. 12.--The Cubans disbe- lieve Maceo's death. The evidence is too weak zertucha' s testimony offers many contradictions He has made different statements No faith is placed in the declara tions made by those who sur1en- dered. If known they declare anything to save Mfe.p It is publicly declared Maceo crossed the trocha by sea. Pr1- vately, 1t is said he crossed by the Canas estate near Mariel, and made bold da sh across the line with few followers, firing on pfckets. It is added it was Maoeo's intention to cross the trocha and organiZe' the forces In Havana province similars to those in Pinar del Rio, now perfectly distributed, comprising 12,O00 men, we'll armed and provisioned, and commanded by Rics Rivera. If this is true, it will destroy the rumors in circu- latien.aaz fpf pgiistl
 One story says that Maceo was left alone in the center of the staff, and an- other that Maceo fell leading the charge. According toozertucha's story, it would have been impossible for Gomez's son to write a pencil note declaring Maceo had been killed It is surprising that Zer- tucha is ignorant of Maceo's burial place.
 On the whole all sorts of stories Of Maceo's death are confusing. The evi- dence adduced so far is not strong enough to convince. people of Maceo's death
 Many believe he is still in Pinar del Rio; others say his crossing the trocha means defeat and gives reason for Weyler, to hoast he pushed him out of the province and pacifed the same. Others think 1t is only a scheme to create big sensation here and in Spain, and divert attention from the effect of Cleveland's message
 with the possible view of making con- cessions to the rebels at once, as the leader of the alleged negro movement has disappeared. This would not be pos sible if Maceo existed, on account of the Spaniard's hatred of AMaceo's personai- ity Many reasons are given for this ver- sion. Well informed persons say palace officials had been predicting great event for. December 2. It is notable coincl- dence that Maceo's death occurred on the same day that Cleveland gave out his message It 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 can not believe. There has been no popular yet. demonstration in honor of the al- ieged death of Maceo. yet. Opinion is also divided ais to the honor of the event
 Some give credit to Weyler. and others to Cirujeda. The majority of Spaniards ridicuIe the idea of Maceo crossing the trocha in a boat, and say it is told sin1p- ly to maintain the integrity of the trocha and prevent ,Arolas committing suicide, as he threatened if Maceo crossed.
 Weyler,s ar4dval was spectacular. All was prepared to create an impression and wipe out ill-feelings among the Spaniards of failure in Pinar del Rio Although many people were in the strets. there was no real enthusiasm TheTcfowd cheered mostly for Spain and fine sarfnv<. a few foE, Weyler and Ciruje- da At the. palacs thsee was some ex- citernent when yQkysf spoke from the balcony Boon t1G crowd dissolved and the city took on the usual quiet aspect.