The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-12
DIR. ZERTUCHA TALKS.


Around the Trocha-
HAVANA, Dec. u.-Dr. Zertucha. the
personal physician Of Antonio Maceo who
after surrendering to Colonel Filippe. fur
nished confirmation of the reported death
Of the great Cuban leader has given TO
the press. in an interview at Melena del
Sur additional facts I'm connection with the
case. IL seems that Antonio Maceo and
his companions did not cross the trocha
or military line OF Pinar del Rio I'm the
sense generally understood 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 insur-
gents from Pinar del Rio to near Banes.
this province. and as the boat would only
hold eight men, in addition to its handlers.
it will be seen that Maceo's party wss
composed Of forty men only. The night
was dark and stormy. Maceo was accom-
panied by Micro. another important in
surgent leader and others of his stan
They landed near Banes and shortly after
wards the encounter with the Spanish
troops under Major Cirujeda took place.
resulting as alleged, in the death OF the
Cuban chief The meeting between the
Spaniards and the insurgents was SEEM
ingly of an accidental nature, the former
having no idea at the time that Macoo
had succeeded in leaving the province of
Pinar del Rio.
In spite of the official reports of the
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 jewelry
and other things alleged TO have been
found by the Spanish soldiers did not be-
long to Maceo or else that they were
rala nad t.rNHxv d -
TO throw dust In the eyes Of the Spaniards.
while Maceo pushed on eastward and COM
municated with Gomez.
Some doubt has been thrown on fhe
statement that DIR. Zertucha was the per-
sonal physician of Antonio Maceo. He was
questioned on the subject to-day and de-
clared that after the death OF DR. Herman
dez. in Pinar del Rio. a physician of high
er rank in the insurgent army, he succeeded
Dr. Hernandez by appointment as Maceo's
physician leaving the body of insurgents
under Diaz. to which he had been at
tached for that purpose. DIR. Zertucha also
states that Major Cirujeda narrowly es-
capped a severe defeat and possibly cap
ture at the hands OF the insurgents. He
also says the insurgents in the vicinity Of
Melena have deserted the Cuban cause and
have surrendered to the Spanish authorf-
ties, as they are worn out with the many
TONS TONS 's sSrtered T during the long s and ND peari
some campaign. The Doctor adds that
Bermudez. one of the most important Of
the surviving insurgent leaders. was
wounded fatally i'm the abdomen on Dec.
g in an engagement fought In the heights
of Governadora with the Spanish troops
under General Ynclan- Dispatches received
from the latter confirm this report.
1t is officially stated here to-day that
Micro. the insurgent leader who accom-
panied Maceo out of Pinar del RIO, was
also wounded by the side OF the great
Cuban soldier. and that Alberto Nordarz
Alfredo Justio. Ramon Ahumade and Cor
don. all staff officers of Maceo, were
wounded in the fight in which their leader
fell. DIR. Zertucha has been given his lib
erty and asked permission 10 leave Cuba
for Spain. and there is little doubt that
his request will be granted.
Business on the Bourse here has been
suspended in order that the members may
indulge i'm the manifestations of joy at
the death OF Antonio Maceo.
dispatch from Matanzas says the local
guerillas there have killed insurgent
leader, Major Juan Pablo Tori. Advices
from Palma, province OF Santa Clara. are
killed another noted insurgent leader. Nes-
tor Palma.
There has been another attack by an
insurgent band on the town OF Guanabacoa.
I'm which the insurgent leader Angueren
was wounded. The attack was repulsed
without serious damage.
FL Diario de la Marina, in commenting on
President Cleveland's message. says In
part: THE President. III he Is sincere In
his expressions as TO his impartial con-
duct toward Spain. should have expelled
the Cuban filibustering agents from Amer
lean territory long since. The paper dis
putes President Clevelands assertion that
the insurgents hold two-thirds OF the ISL
and. liz says that the United States should
attend 20 the solution OF its own internal
affairs and leave Spain 10 settle hers.