Evening star., 1898-08-17
THE SPANIARDS' CHANGE
Many Opportunities to Surprise and Cut UE
Our Troops in Porto Rico.
Failed to Take Advantage of Them
and Fled at the Sight of the
Uniformed Americans.
Correspondents of the Associated Press,

PONCE, Porto Rico, August 3.-Had the
Spaniards been enterprising they could
have administered some severe punishment
to the American invading forces here. For
a week after the first landing was made at
Guanica we had small detached forces at
various little points, miles from support,
which might have been surprised and cut
to pieces or captured had the enemy been
bold and dashing.
With but two regiments ashore guarding
our base and without cavalry or guns,
Col. Hulings. with two battalions Of the
4th Pennsylvania, advanced out on the
main road to San Juan. over which the
Spaniards retreated, and established two
companies at Juana Diaz eight miles
away. Six companies were held in reserve
in the rear of the town.
Considering the force at his command,
Col Hulngs disposed his men admirably:
but the Spaniards. who at first consider
ably outnunkered Col. Huiings force
could at any time have fanked him. The
broad fields which stretch away on each
side of the military road are covered with
growing sugar cane, from six to ten feet
high and would afford shelter to an army
corps
They Disappeared.
But the Spaniards did not attempt to
molest the small invading forces, although
they must have had plenty of information
regarding our location and numbers. They
did not even attempt to waylay the little
detachments which Col Hulings sent out
on the various roads for accommodating
purposes. Occasionally these parties would
run into Spanish outpost and retire, but
the next day, when reconnaissance in
force would reach the spot, the Spaniarcs
would have disappeared.
Evidences were continually found be-
tween Juana Diaz and Coamo, fourteen
miles beyond of contemplated resistance,
which had been abandoned at sight OF our
uniforms. Bridges were found ready for
mining: trenches were begun and aban-
doned. The Spaniard seems to fight best
when his back Is against the wall. 1t was
SO at Santiago; 1T will probably be true
tere.
He seems to dread the first onset, but
once the fighting is begun he shows an
utter Indifference to death. Thus, without
striking a blow, the main Spanish force,
which had been stationed here, retreated all
the way to Aibonito, while the small garrf-
sons in the towns and villages after COM
mitting all sorts of depredatons and ter
rorizing the inhabitants, were all drawn in
at that point
San Martin a Coward.
Perhaps it is no small wonder that they
grew fainthearted when confronted with
the Americans, who had dealt them such
heavy blows by land and sea; but it must
also be said in their defense that San Mar
tin, their commander here, was considered
a rank coward for evacuating Ponce, and
it took the Spanish troops some time to
rally after the demoraliZing example set
by him. When Otaga, his superior, took
command. San Martin was sent to San
Juan under arrest
The wholesale desertion of the volun-
teers doubtless contributed also to the
early decentralization of the regulars. It is
a tribute to the soldiers of Spain, however.
that not one of them deserted. The vol
unteers are poor lot. Most of them are
natives or Spaniards anxious to get into
the public service. They Joined the volun-
teers because no man can live on the pub
lie in any capacity in Porto Rico unless
he is enrolled as volunteer.
With the prospect of immediate Ameri-
can control over the island these people
took the first opportunity OF deserting
A French ship captain. who was at Guam
lea when the first landing was made there,