The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-18
OLD GLORY GREETED
BY NATIVES AND RESIDENTS OF
PORTO RICO
ANXIOUS TO BE ANNEXED
The Coming of United States Troops
Marks the End Of Spanish
Oppression


PONCE. Porto Rico, Aug. s.-(Corre-
spondence of the Associated Press.) The
Porto Rican natives, especially the poor
classes, have given US an enthusiastic well
come. They had dreamed for years of the
time when the hand of the oppressors
would be removed from their threats, and
now 1t has come. With the exception of a
few Of the rich, they seem to care little
about the independence Of the island. The
old revolutionists, ambitious for political
power. inquire anxiousy II we will retain
possession Of the island and shout enthusi-
astically. But great many care little for
independence, apparently sure Of the con-
viction that we came to drive out the Span
iards.
Last Tuesday the writer accompanied a
accommodating expedition under General
Roy Stone Of Pennsylvania. into the noun
tains north of Ponce. 1t was remarkable
In more ways than one. General Miles had
ascertained that the enemy's position at
Aibonito was almost impregnable, and he
had decided to turn the left flank Of the
Spanish position, and landing General
Brooke at Arroyo and moving his column
to Cayey in the rear of the Spanish posi-
tion at Aibonito. The advisability Of a
movement by our left flank was also dis
cussed This could be done If the road
across the mountains to Aecibo on the north
coast was passable.
The reports were that there was fine
carriage road from Utuabo to Abonita.
The only question was as to the character
81 Of the road as far as the former point. Cen
efal. Stone volunteered to make the recon-
noissance He took with him several men
49, IT. Fo,,
pondents In carriages, armed with Rem
tngtons, and Company of the Second Wis
consin. The start was made at noon. The
road led straight up to the top Of the
mountain for ten miles, and the infantry
was soon far behind. The carriages were
drawn by native ponies and went up the
mountains on a galop, except when the
reckless drivers stood up to breathe the
animals It was right into the heart Of the
enemy's country.
The road rises to an altitude Of 5000 feet.
and right into San Juan. 1t is a marvellous
piece Of engineering. AT times 1t is hewn
out OF solid rock. hanging over sheer cliffs
a thousand feet deep. The scenery Of the
Alps. though holder Of course, is not more
beautiful. Everything is covered with
luxurious tropical verdure, even the rocks
Brilliant and Towering plants and trees
splash the creek with vivid color. Once at
the top, the completed military road Is
ended, and then we started on to Ajuntas,
ten miles off. The drivers drive like Jehus.
The vehicles have no brakes, and the little
ponies on the descent were on the dead run
to keep away from the wheels. Bounding,
turning, swaying, now an inch from prec-
ipice on but two wheels, and now swinging
into the side Of the cliff, the occupants hold
ing on for dear life, the vehicles went at a
terrific pace as the drivers whipped their
mad beasts. One false step would have
sent US of whirling into space. No other
drivers could have accomplished this feat
One more descent we went tearing down,
: into the town. AS rapid as had been the
pace we drove on at gallop, the men and
children lining the streets bombarded US
with bouquets of roses, fuchsias and wild
flowers, while the men who formed the
background cheered and cried: Down
with Spain"
A quaint little town in the mountains has
q picturesque square where the people can
gather to cheer and welcome They had
some American flags, which were waved
everywhere. The Alcalde welcomed Gen
eral Stone formally, but the latter made
the assembled populace speech from the
veranda of the town hall. In their enthusi-
asm the people could not wait for transla-
ton. Every sentence they cheered. Then
they cheered the translation. It was dark
when the formalities were over and every
citizen constituted himself reception COM
mittee, besieging the members of the party
with invitations to dinner. General Stone
finally accepted the invitation of a rich
English engineer who had lived there fifty
Spanish and French, and the old gentle
man was so delighted that he can still
speak English that he would not take no
for an answer.
II was so afraid had forgotten my ma
tive language" he said, speaking slowly.
as II cropping for his words
'Of course. can read. read English
books. but no one here speaks English and
the words sound strange to me. It is like
memory Of former existence to hear you
talk But 1t is pleasure. thank God an
English-speaking people has come at last"
The correspondents insisted upon going
to the hotel, taking with them haif-dozen
natives, who had been pressing their invi-
tations, and we had dinner with half the
town at the doors and windows. Our
quests wanted to drink to our heaiths at
every pause In the conversation and sew
eral times during each Of the courses. They
appeared intensely grieved when we de-
clined to sample all the different kinds Of
wine they offered US.
After we had finished, the natives beaa n
to show alarm. They had supposed that
many troops were behind us. Two hun
Ared Spaniards had retreated through the
town in the morning, and the natives feared
they would return. We informed them that
our troops would be up in an hour, though
we knew they were miles behind. After a
council Of war, General Stone decided to
suggest to the natives the advisability Of
their maintaining line Of outposts around
the city, pending the arrival Of our troops.
This they agreed to do while we arranged
our sleeping quarters. But the enemy did
not appear. Several times crowds came
under our windows and awoke US with
cheers
SKATER REPORTS