The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-16
Maceo Murdered!
Shot Down Under a Flag of
Truce.

JACKSONVILLE, fla, Dec. IZ.-J
A. Huau, the agent of the Cuban uuta
here, has received letter from Ha-
baua which confirms the report Of the
death of Antonio Maceo. but also iudi-
Gates that the Cuban leader was the
victim of treacherous plot formed by
his owu physician Dr.. Zertucha. and
the Marquis de Albums mada, who acts as
captain general of Habaua wbeu Wey-
ler is absent n the field. The letter
which was written by prominent citi-
zsu of Habana. whose name is with
held 10 order that he may not fall under
the displeasure of the Spanish authori-
ties is as follows:
"HABASA, Dec. 9. 1895
Dear Friend Justo We are at
present under the sad impression caused
by the death of our brave general An
tonic Maceo, murdered together with
the greater part Of his staff, by the
Spaniards. acting under the assassin,
Major Cirujeda. and as instrumental
10 this horrible drama. Maceo's second
surgeon, DR. Maxine Zsrtucba.
''Con vinced, as Weyler was, that
notwithstanding his enormous army, he
could do nothing against our gallant
leader, who has so repeatedly defeated
the Spanish generals in. Pinar del Rio,
be conceived the idea of appeasiug bis
beassly instincts by cold-blooded mur-
der. and, uakiog the best of the secret
relations between Dr.. Zertucha and the
Marquis of Ahumada, be planned with
the latter his hellish scheme Weyler
took the field and in his absence,
Ahmuda proposed. through Zertucba,
a conference with Maceo, to take place
at a certain point 10 the province of
Habana, with view of arranging
plans for the cessation of hostlities, on
the basis of Cuba's peudencs. AID
a monetary indemnity to Spain, with,
moreover, certain advantages bat
would be agreed upon for Spanish COM
merce and Spanish capital here invest
ed. To carry out the plans, orders
would be giveu to the detachments of
troops stationed at the trocha. 10 the
section between Mariel and Guanajay,
to allow Maceo, with his staff, to pass
the military line uumolested.
"These Communications took time to
mature. and to give them all semblauce
of truth. Ahmuda feigned that before
acting he must make known his plans
to Weyler for his previous approval
and this explains the sudden arriva! of
Weyler at Habana aud his prompt re-
turn to Piuar del Rio. Having ar
ragged the conditions aud place Of the
meeting. Macea crossed the trocba over
the road to Guanajay without being
molested by the forts, but once arrived
at the place decided upon. he aud bis
party were greeted by tremendous
voley from the forces under Major
Cirujedas, lying conveniently 10
ambush Nest of the officers Of bis
staff fell with General Maceo
Zertucha is alive because be was
aware of the scheme aud remained 10
the rear. The Spaniards know where
the bodies are, but are bent ou feigu->
Ing ignorance 10 blot out the ves,iges
Of the crime.
"Habaoa and all Spain are rejoicing
because 10 the midst of their stupidity
they bope that the war may epd with
the death Of this gallant leader Far
from this, the spirit of the Cubans has
grown more ardent, and to-day the
latter are resolved to make every sacri-
fee before laying down arms to the re-
lentless tyraots, and in this very pro-
vince OF Habana. where our army is
less numerous and disposed OF less
means of defense, the Cubaus are ope-
rating with greater activity Than ever,
and not day passes but that we do
not hear in this city the firing Oh
Cuanabacoa
''Tbe Spauiards may treacherously
murder some OF our patriots, but there
is no earthly power that could anribi-
late the spirit of liberty floating now
as ever over the Cuban people.