, 1896-12-09
IS THE PATRIOT DEAD?
FROM THE STORY TOLD BY THE
SPANIARDS 1T is VERY
DOUBTFUL.
They Claim That Maceo Fell Almost
in the Embrace of His Son-But 1t
Sounds Fishy Indeed-Insurgents
Have Broken Through the Trocha
and Weyler's Cause is Waning.

Havana, Dec. SIT is stated in posi-
tive terms by Spanish authorities that
Antonio Maceo, the leader OF the in
surgenlts. and the heart and soul of
the Cuban cause, has been killed in
Havana province, after having effect
ed the passage of the western trodha
near Mariel, at the north extremity.
With the Cuban general died the
youth, Francisco Gomez, son Of Maxi
mo Gomez, who accompanied the mu-
latto general on his passage of the
trocha.
The most explicit details of the find
ing of the corpse of the fallen leader
of the Cubans and the facts relied up-
on for identification are at hand
through the report of the Spanish COM
mander Major Cirujeda. who contested
the passage OF the trocha unsuccess-
fully on December 4th, last Friday.
with Maceo, and who sustained anoth-
er conflict yesterday with forces under
the insurgent leader. 1t was in a re-
~conn'oisance after the latter engage
mert that the Spaniards found the two
corpses, not separated in death, which
they have identified as those of An
tonic Maceo and Francisco Gomez.
Authorities now permit the publication
OF Major Cirujeda's official report that
the engagement with Maceo on De-
cember 4th, when he forced the trocha.
was a fearful combat, which is the first
official admission that Maceo brought
with him across the trocha a consider
able equipped following and fought a
hot engagement to effect his passage.
After the Cubans had passed into
Havana province. the Spanish com.
mander effected a fresh concentration
in that province. and awaited the ar.
rival Of Maceo. He had received con-
fldential Information of the proposed
movements of the Cubans and arrang-
ed his force accordingly. He had. in
addition, received a detailed descrip>
ton of the horse which Maceo was to
ride as we'll as his caparisons. The ex.
pected battle occurred yesterday, but
no details of the engagement are given
for publication here. After the fight
the Spanish troops made reconnais>
sance of the ground previously held
by the Cubans. Here was found the
two corpses lying together, and. indeed.
almost locked in an embrace of death.
.Lt "A HyNr,rTuNn CvNonv
Havana, Dec. 8.-The exact where's
abouts OF General Weyler is not
known, but he is believed to be hunt
ing for Maceo in the mountains in the
extreme eastern part Of Pinar Del Rio.
while the insurgent chief has eem
ingly doubled on his tracks, turned
the flank OF the Spanish general and
passed in his rear in the direction OF
this city. crossing the military line at
will and possibly being by this time
In the vicinity Of the capital Of Cuba
II Maxine Gomez has carried out the
plan attributed to him, that OF pushing
westward to the support Of Maceo, a
junction Of two OF the main bodies Of
the tnsurgent forces may be expected
shortly. Nothing appears to be known
Of ka1e strength Of the insurgent force
with Antonio Maceo IN this province.
In fact Il was not until the news was
being passed from person to. person in
the streets that the authorities would