The record-union., 1896-12-20
DR.. ZERTUSHA TALKS.
SAYS HE AND GENERAL MACEO
WERE GREAT FRIENDS.
Denies That the Insurgent Leader
Was ASSaSSinated Under
Flag of Truce.

HAVANA, Dec 19-Dr. Zertucha,
through whose treachery, it is claimed,
Maceo met his death, is in Havana.
In an interview to-day he explained
his relations with the rebel leader. He
said that a great friendship existed be-
tween them, and that Maceo had great
confidence in him.
Dr. Zertucha denied the stories that
Maceo had received in the Province Of
Pinar del Rio a commissioner sent by
Spain from General Weyler asking him
to treat for peace. He also denied that
he had any communication with Chief
Of Police La Barrara. His friendship
with Colonel Tort was old and private.
He repudiated the charges made
against him by Serranos, adding that
he never saw Serranos in camp, and
that he knew him formerly as friend
of the bandit Garcia.
He repeated the story already cabled
about Maceo crossing around the end
Of the trocha by sea in front Of Mariel
and said the officers who accompanied
him were Brigadiers Perico Diaz and
Jose Miro, Colonels Alberto Nodarse
and Gordon, the last named being an
American; Majors Alfredo JustiZ, Piedra
Penalver and Ramon Ahumada, Cap
tain San Vanell, Lieutenant Francisco
Gomez and himself as surgeon, besides
the negro orderlies.
Maceo was on horseback, with his
machete unSheathed, when he was
struck by bullet from a Mauser rife.
AS he fell DR.. Zertucha rushed to his
assistance, but he dropped to the
ground dead. Another bullet struck him
in the stomach before he reached the
ground. All the members of the staff
who We're around Maceo at the time
were more or less seriously wounded
Colonel Nodarez and Major Justiz died
later from the effects of their wounds
Lieutenant Gomez was also wounded
in the arm. His wound was attended
to and his arm placed in a sling. He
tried to assist Zertucha to carry Ma
ceo's body, but was again struck by
a bullet and knocked down. He then
wrote the note that was afterward
found on his body and concluded by
stabbing himself with his own knife.
not Maceo's, as some reports have
stated.
DR.. Zertucha declared that after the
rebels had carried Maceo's body off the
field a statement was drawn up, which
was signed by all the leaders who had
taken part in the engagement, explain
ing the manner in which he had met
his death.
DR.. Zertucha intends to go to Spain
and take up his residence in the town
of Zizcaha. He will print in Paris a
pamphlet in which he will attack Senor
Estrada Palma, the head of the Cuban
Junta, the Junta itself and General
Calixto Garcia, for their actions in
connection with the insurrection. He
thinks that Maceo's body was buried
near Govea.
Pedro Gonzales >Moya will be shot to-
morrow at Matanzas for the crime of
rebellion.
General Rey, with 1000 infantry, 300
cavalry and two pieces of artillery,
while ecorting a convoy to Bayamo,
had six engagements near Peralo with
a number of united rebel parties under
Calixto Garcia The rebels lost thirty
five killed and large number wound
ed. One wounded rebel was captured.
The Spanish loss was three officers and
sixteen privates killed and three officers
and one hundred privates wounded.
There is suppressed excitement in Ha-
vana since last nights news of the ac-
ton of the Senate committee. Nothing
has been printed. Only rumors are
afloat-
1t is stated that the Three Friends
has landed. Some say she landed in
Pinar del Rio, and others near Trini-
dad. 1t is said Roloff has arrived with
an expedition.
The English sailor Leavitt, captured
on the Competitor and imprisoned in
the Cabanas. bitterly complains of the
action of the British Consul in not at
tending to the case. in not giving pro-
lection to which British subjects are
entitled.