Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-20
DIR. ZERTUCHA TALKS
HIS OWN STORY OF THE DEATH OF
MACEO.
He DENIES CHARGES AGAINST Hin.
He Makes Charges In Turn Against
Palma, Garcia, and other Cuban
Le"dsrs--fie VIII Change His Resi-
dencS to Spain.

HABANA. December l9.-Dr Zertu-
cha. Through whose treachery. IL IN
claimed, Maceo met his death. IS IN Ha-
oana. In an interview to-day he ex-
planned HIS relations with the rebel Lead
err He said that great friendship ex-
isted between them. and that Naceo had
great confidence in him. Only three OF
Maceo'p stan were allowed TO dine with
him-Ds. Zertucha, Miro. and Francisco
Come. son OF the insurgent commander.
in-chief DR.. Zertucha denied the s,o-
ries that Maceo had received in the pro-
vince on Pinar del r o a commissioner gent
by castain-General Weyler. asking him
TO treat for peace. He also denied that
ne mad any connection with Chief-of-
Police Labarrera. His friendship with
Colonel Tort was old and privileged He
repudiated the charge made against him
by sersanos adding that he never saw
serranos's camp. and that he Knew him
formerly as a friend OF the bandit Garcia.
DR.. Zsrtucha declared that Naceo fire.
quently expressed his adm ration OF the
Spanish soldiers. and praised Generals
Bernal. Arolas. and Rehague. and COL
onels Echevarria, Retger. and Franks.
He repeated the story already cabled
about Maceo's crossing around the end
OF the trocha by sea in front OF Mariel.
and SAID the officers who ACCOMPANIED
him ware Brigaders Perlco. Diaz. and
Jose Miro; Colonies Alberto. Nodarez
and Gordon tthe last-named being an
American): Majors Alfredo Justiz piedra
Penalver. and Ramon Ahumada. Captain
Sanvansli. Lieutenant Francisco Gomez
and himself as surgeon. besides three
negro orderlies.
MACEOs DEATH.
Maceo was on horseback with his ma
chete uhsheated, when he was struck by
a pullet from Mauser rife. As ne fell
Dr. Iertucha rushed to his assistance.
but he cropped to the ground dead. An
other bullet struck him in the stomach
before he reached the ground. All the
members OF the staff. who were around
Aiaceo az the time. we're more or less Sc
riousy wounded. Colonel Nodarez and
Major Justiz died later from the effects
or their wounds. Lieutenant Gomez wac
also wounded In the arm. His wound
was attended 10. and his arm placed in
sling. Re tried TO ass's. DR. Zertucha
10 carry Maceo's body. but was again
struck by a bullet and knocked down.
He then wrote the note that was after
wards found on his body ard committed
SlfIiur ny SiabNlrR NlUleelr with MS own
knife. no. Maceo's as some reports have
stated
Or. Zeitucha declared that after IN.
rebels had carried Maceo's body or the
field, statement was drawn w which
was signed by all tho leaders who had
taken part In the engagement expiains
ing the manner In which ne had met hls
death
ZERTUCHA GOING TO SPAIN.
DIR. Zertucha intends 10 go 10 Spain
and take up his residence I'm the town
OF Vizcaya. He will print in Paris 4
pamphlet IN which he will attack Senior
Estrada Palma. the head OF the Cuban
Junta, the Junta itself, and General
--cali1to Garcia for their actions In con-
nection with the insurrection. He thinks
Maceo's body was buried near Govea
PEDRO Gonzales Mera VIII be shot to-
morrow a. Matanzas for the crime OF
rebellion
General 2cy. with 2Oco Infantry 30
cavalry. and two pieces OF artillery.
while escorting a convoy 10 Bayamo.
had six engagements near Peralejo, with
a number II united rebel parties under
command O. Calixto Garcia The rebels
lost thirty-tve killed and n large num-
Der OF wounded. One wounded rebel
was captuMd. The Spanish loss was
three officers and fourteen privates
killed. and tlree officers and 100 privates
wounded. Jilo Sangully. the natura-
lized American citizen who Is charged
with conspiracy against the Spanish au-
thority, has selected Antonio Meza Do
minguez a lIwyer OF this city. TO con-
duct his defence. The case will be called
I'm the Supreme Court on Monday. San
gully, It will be recalled. was tried by a
court-martial some months ago. and sem
fenced 10 life imprisonment He sue
ceeded however. in having a civil trial
granted.
There is much comment here on the
action OF the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations Of the United States Senate re-
garding the Independence OF Cuba. Full
reports OF the proceedings are not print
ed, and the newspapers made no edi-
toral mention OF the subject.