Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-31

Of the battleship Massachusetts,, yesterday.
to be. ready to cover the landing to-day.
An ofncer accordingly was sent ashore yes
terday afternoon to formally demand the
surrender of the port of Ponce. three miles
from the city of Ponce. The officer was
greatly surprised to learn that not only the
port but the city of Ponce was ready to
capitulate.
THE Spanish commander, Julison San
Martin, with 1000 men, without artillery.
had been taken completely by surprise by
the invasion occurring in this quarter On
the advice Of the British consul. he decided
to make no resistance. A force Of marines
was Immediately landed from the Annapolis
and the American flag was hoisted over the
customs house in the port of Ponce Dur
ing the night. the Spanish troops retired
from the city along the military road
toward San Juan. where it is probable that
Captain General Macias Will eventually
concentrate all the Spanish forces in the
island.
In the morning General Miles established
headquarters at the custom house and
raised the American flag.
Among the prizes found in the harbcr
were seventy lighters used in loading su-
gar ships, and these were used instead OF
cutters to convey the troops ashore, during
which operation not man nor animal was
injured.
The scene when the soldiers reached the
water front along the wharves was re-
markable. Thousands of residents of the
city. men, women and children, lined the
water front. and shouts of joy and cries
of Viva los Americanos"' "Buenos diss"'
Puerto Rico 1ibre," greeted them. The
soldiers were received like l;berators rather
than intruders. The red-shirted firemen
came down to the wharf in a body and
cheered Justify.
Captain Lyons. with Company X. of the
Sixteenth regiment. Immediately marched
TO the city and established a provost guard
in the municipal building. the soldiers being
billeted in the frescoed and gold-decorated
room of the aicaIde. On every hand the
greatest satisfaction was evidenced. wom-
en- adorned themselves in their brightest
gowns and waved their hands and smiled
as the troops marched through the streets
Public vehicles did a thriving business In
conveying the curious to the harbor tc
| view the American ships. The doors of the
| merchant houses were opened. and the
! whole city presented the appearance oil
celebrating fete. The poor are especially
reioiced.
The city of Ponce is romantic and pictur-
esque. with buildings of old Moorish and
| Spanish architecture. Its broad plaza and
blue, pink and green tinted houses presen,
| a pleasing appearance and its streets are
clean and we'll paved. The inhabitants are
mostly native Porto Ricans. a well defined
race. resulting from blend of Spanish and
original Caribs. with sprinkling Of for
eigners, mostly French and Germans and a
| few English and Americans
| All the approaches to the city are care.
| fully guarded tonight. General Henry will
| effect juncture with General Wilson here
as soon as possible. and their troops vii
await the arrival of the other troops nov
| on the way The military road to San Juar
! is broad and we'll beaten and will offer nc
such difficulty to the passage of artillery
| and supply trains as did the soggy and al
most uabroken trails of Cuba to the ad
vance of General Shafter.
| The Spanish made a stand at a small
| town. resisting General Heary's advance
seven miles rorth Of Ponce tonight. Ar
tfllery fire could be seen distinctly as tn.
dispatch boat bearing this news left at
| o'clock in the evening.
| Information received by General Miles In
/ dicates that there are less than 1,0Ge reg
ulars and 5000 volunteers in the island
| Generals Miles and Wilson, with thei
STATS. accompanied by the British, French
German and Danish consuIs, called upol
the alcalde this afternoon. The latter gav'
| them a gracious welcome and asked to t.
advised as to General Miles desires will
| regard to the government of the city. Gen
eral Miles informed him that it was no
bis purpose to Interfere In any way with III.
local government and advised the alcald
to conduct his administration as usual. HI
said, however, that all persons having
arms given by the Spanish must give then
f, up or be treated as enemies. The alcald.