The Monmouth inquirer., 1896-12-17
THE INFAMY OF SPAIN
GENERAL MAcEo's DEATH WAS THE
WORK OF AN ASSASSIN.

NEW York. Dec. 15.--The Cuban junta
In this city is in receipt of trustworthy in
formation confirming the reports of the
death of General Antonio Maceo and as
serting positively that the great patriot
leader was feasly assassinated-- victim
of the most cowardly and treacherous plot
in the annals of modern warfare
The facts as received by the junta are
substantially these;
Early in November Maceo received a
mysterious message which appeared to
come from the Marquis of Ahumada, with
full authority from General Weyler, as the
messenger carried a safe conduct issued by
Weyler personally. Nothing was written,
the message was only verbal. The messen-
ger stated that he came to offer an inter
view with the Marquis of Ahumada to ar
range the terms for the evacuation OF the
island by the Spanish troops
AT this conference only Brigadier Miro,
chief Of The staff of Maceo, was present.
We'll, answered Maceo, "go and tell
the Marquis Of Ahumada that will con-
slider the thing and give him an answer
Maceo Immediately gathered his staff,
and explaining the situation asked the
opinion of his subordinates
Brigadier Miro expressed his belief that
the whole thing was scheme of the Span
iards to catch Maceo in a trap. But DR..
Maxine Zertucha tried to convince the
Cuban leader that it was wise TO meet the
Marquis of Ahumada, as the financial sit
uation of Spain clearly indicated that the
Shanish army would soon have to abandon
The fight. Though Maceo was satisfied that
the situation of Spain indicated a coming
Crisis he accepted the views of Miroand
resolved to wait, thinking 1t strange that
the first proposals for peace should be
made to him and not to General Gomez.
Maceo was a very modest and unambitious
man. and as brave as he was faithful to
his superiors Without first knowing the
opinion of General Gomez he would never
enter into any kind-of treaty.
When this first attempt of the Spanish
failed, Weyler returned to Havana to con-
fer with the Marquis of Ahpihada. This is
the explanation of the sudden return of
the butcher to the capital after he started
to Pinar del Rio to take personal COM
mand of the Spanish forces with the prom
Use that before his return the revolution
should be crushed.
The First Plot Failed.
When Maceo invaded the province of Pi-
mar del Rio for the second time, the Sec
ond attempt at his assassination was plan
ned, and Maxine Zertucha, the surgeon,
was found as the traitor TO carry out the
crime. First Barrera, the chief. of police,
succeeded in communicating with Ter
tucha. Afterward the traitor had commu-
nications with the Marquis of Ahumada,
through Colonel Tort, who before the war
was an intimate friend of Zertucha, and
to whom. as arranged previously, the
traitor surrendered in San Felipe. He was
subsequently, given his freedom, and un-
questionabIy received the reward, which
is said to have been $50, 900, for his treach-
cry.
Colonel Tort, who is very bloodthirsty
Spanish officer, recommended Zertucha to
the Marquis Ahumada as the very man
needed to attract Maceo to given place
and to inform the Spaniards of all the Gu
ban leaders movements. Weyler agreed,
and, after promising Zertucha, through
Tort, monetary reward with which he
could live safely in Spain, started again to
Pinar del Rio with more forces still to
compel Maceo to make a desperate effort
which Weyler hoped would bring him into
the desired trap.
Led Into Trap.
Maceo had received advices from Gomez
that the commander in chief was prepar-
ing an invasion of the west with Calixto
Garcia, and that he thought it would be
of the best moral effect if, leaving good
leader in command Of the forces in Pinar
del Rio, Maceo should pass the trocha, join
him and march with him to the very gates
of the city of Havana. The crossing of the
trocha was not an easy affair with large
body of men, and even when opportunity
offered but few Cuban soldiers could do
it without attracting attention. Maceo
knew how, and moved TO Mariel, but the
Spaniards, through Zertucha, knew of his
movements and Of the communication
from Gomez.
On the I'd Of December Maceo sent four
men to reconnoiter the trocha on the north
side They exchanged shots with the SEN
tinels, and by this the Spanish knew the
proximity of the insurgent leader. Then
orders were given by the Spanish COM
mander not to resist. On the Sd Maceo
sent some more scouts, who came back
and assured him that the trocha was not
well defended on that side. He passed the
trocha on the night of the 4th without re-
sistance, after leaving General Ruis Rive
ra in command of the Cuban forces in the
province of Pinar del Rio.
On the 9th, while marching with six
men, among them Miro, the son of Go
mez, and Zertucha, the latter advised him
to take route through a canefeld which
he knew. They did so and fell into an
ambush of 500 Spaniards, commanded by
Major Cirujeda.
''If you surrender said voice, we
offer you your life and an honorable
treaty"
'sViva Cuba ibre' answered Maceo,
and then the butchery began. Francisco
Gomez was wounded and fell before Ma
Geo, but Miro escaped. At this moment,
said the Cuban commissioner to the junta
in Havana, band of rebels who were go
ing to join Maceo at the Havana side of
Mariel, approached and were informed by
Miro of the ambush. The Spaniards had
already taken Maceo, who was pierced
with bullets, and Gomez, who killed him
self with the last bullet of his revolver.
They had searched the bodies, and four
men were carrying them when the Cubans
came up
A terrible fight ensued, and the Cubans
recovered the bodies of the two leaders,
pursuing the Spanish with their machetes
clear to Punta Bravo. Major Cirujeda had
narrow escape, but he was able to take
with him the objects seized in the first
search, though he left the bodies of Macec