Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11
KILL HIM AGAIN.
Spaniards Once More Announce
the Death of Maceo.
SAY HE WAS SLAIN In A RECENT FIGHT
The Rebel Leader with His Troops
Crosses the Trocha Only to Meet
His Death-Great Joy
In Havana.

Washington, Dec. 9.-Senator Mills
(dem., TeX.) will introduce to-day in
the senate joint resolution directing
the president of the United States to
take military possession of the island
of Cuba and hold it until its inhabitants
can institute such government rs they
may wish to organize and arm such
forces as may be necessary to protect
them against invasion.
nIaceo Again Reported Killed.
Havana, Dec. 9.-Maj. Cirujuda, hav-
ing received information that force
of rebels had arrived in the vicinity OF
Punta Bravo in the Havana province,
started with his command in the direc-
ton the rebels were believed to be. The
Spanish troops met the main body of
insurgents, 1000 strong, at San Pedro
and engaged them in battle. The in
surg ents intrenched themselves behind
stone fences, where they held the po-
sition until nightfall, when they were
dislodged and compelled to retire. The
Spaniards then returned to Punta
Bravo. They lost in the fight three
privates killed and three lieutenants,
and 20 privates wounded. Over 40 Of
the rebels were left dead upon the field.
There was found among the dead
rebels the body of well-dressed man
on which there were documents which
lead to the belief that the dead man
was the son of Maxine Gomez. Among
the papers found was one on which,
written with lead pencil, was the con-
fession that the writer had committed
suicide rather than abandon the body
of Antonio Maceo. The war diary of
Maceo was also found. In it there is
an entry which says the rebels crossed
the trocha on December 4.
1t is concluded from these circum-
stances that Maceo was killed in the
engagement with Maj. Cirujeda's COM
mand. The news of his death has
caused the greatest kind of sensation
in Havana. The loyalists are jubilant,
believing that with the killing of Maceo
blow has been struck Mt the rebellion
that will result in it's speedy suppress
sion.
Think It Is Trick.
Though the Spaniards are confident
that Maceo is really dead this time,
some of the Cubans profess to believe
that the finding of the confession and
the diary was due to trick of the in
surgents to delude the Spanish into the
belief that Maceo was killed, while he
pursues his plan of renching Gomez.
The important news reached Havana
;~rl,%
not permit of it's being cnbled until
Tuesday evening.
Do Not Explain 1t.
The government officials vouchsafe
no information as to how Mnceo, with
an overwhelmingly superior force oper-
ating against him and supposed to be
watching his movements, could have
eluded the Spanish forces, doubled on
them, crossed the trocha at what has
been supposed the strongest part Of 1t
and reached the province of Havana
without any known interference until
he reached point comparatively close
| to Havana.
Hero of the Hour.
Maj. Cirujeda is now in the city and
|
demonstration in his honor. In the cafes
and all other public places the Spanish
residents are congratulating each other
on what they believe to be death blow
to the rebellion, and it is predicted that
Capt. Gen. Weyier will now have an
easy task of defeating the insurgents
under Gomez and the minor leaders
For nearly two years there has not
been such joy in Havana as there is now
and the speedy establishment of peace
is confidently looked for. 1t is thought
that when Gomez learns of the death
of his chief lieutenant he will be dis.
posed to treat with Gen. Weyler fol
cessation of hostilities. There is some
ground, nevertheless, for the SUPPOSE
ton that the report is not true. The
officials here declare that while they
believe that both Maceo and Gomez:
son are dead, they lack positive informn
ton and are awaiting confirmation Of
the report. This, however, has had NJ
effect upon the popular jubilation, and
Maj. Cirujeda is the hero of the hour.
No Comment on the Message.
No comments have been published BY
the local press on President Cleveland's
message to congress, and no news ha:
been received as to its effect in Spain
The silence of the press here is attrib
uted to government Intervention, 4
not being desired to excite popular feel
ing against the United States.
VALENTINE PLEADS GUILTY.
Head of swindling Gang Gets Ten-Yea
Sentence.
New York, Dec. Civilian L. Val
entine pleaded guilty Tuesday in TIL
Kings county court to the charge O
forgery in the second degree and alb
ductlon. He was sentenced to tel