The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-13

Jacksonville Fla. Dec. 12.-J. A.
Huau. the agent of the Cuban junta
here, has received a letter from Ha-
vana, which confirms the report of the
death of Antonio Maceo. but also in
dicates that the Cuban leader was the
victim of a treacherous plot. formed
by his own physician, Or. Zertucha,
and the Marquis De Ahumada. who
acts as captain-general of Havana
when Weyler is absent in the field.
The letter. which was written by d
prominent citizen of Havana, whose
name is withheld in order that he may
not fall under the displeasure Of the
Spanish authorities, is as follows:
Havana. Dec. .. 1896
Dear Friend Justo-We are at pres
ent under the sad impression caused
by the death of our brave general, An
tonic MaceO, murdered. together with
the greater part Of his stafi, by Ne
Spaniards, acting under the assassin.
Major Cirujeda, and as instrumental
in this horrible drama. Maceo's sur
geOn. DR. Maxine Zertucha.
WAS MERELY MURDER
Convinced. as Weylsr was. that,
notwithstanding his enormous army, he
could do nothing against our gallant
leader. who so repeatedly defeated the
Spanish generals fn-Pinar Del Rio. he
conceived the idea Of aDDeasing his
beastly instincts by cold olOoded muir
der and making the best of the secret
relations between DR.. Zertucha and
the Marquis of AhumaCs, who
planned with the latter mis- hellish
scheme. Weyler took the Held. and
in his absence Ahumada promised,
through Zertucha. a conference with
NiaceO. to take place at 4 certain
point in the province IF Havana. Gitn
q view of arranging plans for the ces-
satiOn of Eostilities from the basis of
CUba's Independence and a monetary
indemnity to Spain. with. moreover.
certain advantages that would be
agreed upon for Spanish commerce
and Spanish capital here invested. To
carry out the plans orders had been
given to the attachments of troops
stationed a the trOcha in the section
between Mariel and GuanajUraciO TO
allow MaceO with his staff to pass the
military line unmolested. The COM
binations took time to mature and 10
give the sernblance of truth Ahumada
feigned that before going he must
make known his plans to Weyler fC1
his previous removal; and this explains
the sudden arrival Of Weyler at Ha-
Vana and MS prompt return to Pinar
Del Rio. Having arranged the cOndi-
tons and place of the meeting, MaceO
crossed the trOcha over the road to
Guanaluria without being mOlested.
but once arrived at the place decided
upon. ne and his party were greeted
by a tremendous vOlley from the forces
under Major Cirujeda, lying convent
emily in ambush. Most of the officers
fell with Maceo. Zertucha is alive.
because ne was aware Of the scheme
iards know where the bodies are, but
ere bent or feigning ignorance to blot
out the vestiges of the crime.
Havana and all Spain are rejoicing
because in the midst of their stupidity
they hope that the war may end with
the death of this gallant leader. Far
from this. the spirit of the Cubans has
Grown more ardent. and today the lat
ter are resolved to make every sacrifice
before laying down their arms to the
relentless tyrantS, and in this very
province Of Havana where we are less
numerous and have less means of de-
fence. the Cubans are operating with
greater activity than ever. and not a
day passes. but that we do not hear in
this city the firing of GuanabaracOa-
LIBERTY STILL LIVES.
The Spaniards may treacherously
murder some of our patriots, but there
is no earthly power that could ami
hilate the spirit of liberty, floating now
as ever over the Cuban people"
Speaking of the letter, Mr.. HUau
said: -Maceo is dead, but Cuba will
live long. The death of no one man
can crush the brave spirits of the
patriots of Cuba, who are fighting gal
lantly for liberty. MaceO was not killed
fairly. OF in honest battle, but through
the murderOus treachery of his phys;-
cian. DR.. Zertucha. and the acting cap
tain general of Cuba. the Marquis
Ahumada. Thirty-fOur members of his
staff were murdered with him-every
man of the staff with the exception of
the treacherouS Zertucha."
The SDaniards say" added Mr.
Huau, that they do not know where
.Maceo's body is. They know full well.
They have buried it to cover their
treachery to a degree and viii eN-
hume it soon to say All where is the
body OF MaceO."
, From today Cuba viii fight harder
than ever before. This was a sad day
for Soain. I do not know who VIII
succeed AaceO" said Mr.. Huau, but