Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11
KILL HIM AGAIN.
Spaniards Once More Announce
the Death of Maceo.
SAY HE WAS SLAIN IN A RECENT FIGHT
The Rebel Leader with His Troops
Crosses the Trocha Only to Meet
His Death-Great Joy
In Havana.

Crosses the Trocha Only to Meet
His Death-Great Joy
In Havana.
Washington, Dec. 9.-Senator Mills
(dem., TeX.) will introduce to-day in
the senate joint resolution directing
the president of the United States to
take military possession of the island
Of Cuba and hold it until its inhabitants
can institute such government as they
may wish to organize and arm such
forces as may be necessary to protect
them against invasion.
Maceo Again Reported Killed.
Havana, Dec. 9.-Maj. Cirujuda, hav-
ing received information that force
of rebels had arrived in the vicinity Of
Punta Bravo in the Havana province,
started with his command in the direc
tion the rebels were believed to be. The
Spanish troops met the main body of
insurgents, 1000 strong, at San Pedro
and engaged them in battle. The in
surgents intrenched themselves behind
stone fences, where they held the po-
sition until nightfall, when they were
dislodged and compelled to retire. The
Spaniards then returned to Punta
Bravo. They lost in the fight three
privates killed and three lieutenants,
and 20 privates wounded. Over 40 Of
the rebels were left dead upon the field.
There was found among the dead
rebels the body of well-dressed man
Oh which there were documents which
lead to the belief that the dead man
| was the son of Maxine Gomez. Among
the papers found was one on which,
written with lead pencil, was the con-
fession that the writer had committed
suicide rather than abandon the body
of Antonio Maceo. The war diary of
Maceo was also found. In it there is
nn entry which says the rebels crossed
the trocha on December 4.
1t is concluded from these crcum-
stances that Maceo was killed in the
engagement with Maj. Cirujeda's COM
mand. The news of his death has
caused the greatest kind of sensation
in Havana. The loyalists are jubilant,
believing that with the killing of Maceo
blow has been struck Mt the rebellion
that will result in it's speedy suppress
sion.
Think 1t Is a Trick.
Though the Spaniards are confident
that Maceo is really dead this time,
some of the Cubans profess to believe
that the finding of the confession and
the diary was due to trick of the in
surgents to delude the Spanish into the
belief that Maceo was killed, while he
pursues his plan of renching Gomez.
The important news reached Havana
Monday night, but the censor would
not permit of it's being cabled until
Tuesday evening.
Do Not Explain 1t.
The government officials vouchsafe
no information as to how Maceo, with
an overwhelmingly superior force oper-
ating against him and supposed to be
watching his movements, could have
eluded the Spanish forces, doubled or
them, crossed the trocha at what has
been supposed the strongest part of Il
and reached the province of Havana
without any known interference unit
he reached point comparatively close
to Havana.
Hero of the Hour.
Maj. Cirujeda is now in the city and
it has been proposed to hold great
demonstration in his honor. In the cafe!
and all other public places the Spanish
residents are congratulating each othe,
on what they believe to be a death blow
to the rebellion, and it is predicted tina
Capt. Gen. Weyier will now have al
easy task of defeating the insurgent.
under Gomez and the minor leaders
For nearly two years there has no
been such joy in Havana as there is now
and the speedy establishment of peac
is confidently looked for. 1t is though
that when Gomez learns of the dealt
Of his chief lieutenant he will be dis
posed to treat with Gen. Weyler TO
cessation of hostilities. There is som
ground, nevertheless, for the supposi
ton that the report is not true. Th
officials here declare that while the,
believe that both Maceo and Gomez
son are dead, they lack positive informn
ton and are awaiting confirmation o
the report. This, however, has had n
effect upon the popular jubilation, an
Maj. Cirujeda is the hero Of the hour.
No Comment on the Message.
No comments have been published b.
) the local press on President Cleveland
message to congress- and no news ha
been received as to its effect in Spail'
The silence of the press here is attril
uted to government Intervention,
not being desired to excite popular feel
ing against the United States.
VALENTINE PLEADS GUILTY.
Head of swindling Gang Gets Ten-Yea
Sentence.
Now, Vorl- nac O-XTillio1n t. Va