The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-16
SURRENDER OF PONCE
Just About the Cheapest Bar
gain of the War.
SPANISH SHOW OF SAND
Yielded to Persuasion of
Foreign Consuls,

Ponce. Porto Rico. July 3O.-Nothing
coudd be more complete than the subjec-
ton Of this city of 5000 people Volun-
teers oft ne army Of the crown salute
| you at every turn, women appeal 70 you
| for little American eInbleus 10 wear, and
vices fort he distinction of being seen
with lone Of the conqueross.' Only the
cabmen and the u1oney-changers are IN
moved by sentiment and disdainful acts
of placau on. 1t has been great time for
the cabmen, who took advantage of our
innocence regarding the relative value
of American and Porto Rican silver; and
from running away in fear that we would
loot their vaults, the bankers have re-
turned, hoisted the stars and stripes, and
bravely put up notice saying that Amer
lean gold and banknOtes could be ex-
changed for native currency only at
cost Of 25 per cent on their face value.
AS it is a saving to use the native IN
place of our own currency. we pay this,
but not without indulging in the compen-
sating privilege of making a kick
The town fell to our arms so cheapiy
that we do not really mind be robbed
little bit. Not bullet did it cost U.S.
One afternoon (the 27th) the Wasp. for
merly the yacht Columbia; the Glouces-
ter. formerly the yacht Corsair, and the
Dixie, formerly a West India merchant
man, came to the mouth of the harbor 20
make a reconnaissance. None OF these
vessels has 4 gun of considerable power,
but at once the smallest oft he three, the
Wasp, sent boat ashore and demanded
the towns surrender. Today the first
number of a new daily journal, La Neuva
Era, was published, and here is its report
Of what happened:
After a while a boat was seen to leave
the side of one of the ships bearing q
white flag, reached the shore directly az
forwards with an officer, who on landing
bent his steps to the captain of the ports
office in search of the military comman-
der of the town for whom he had a dis
patch. The captain of the port answered
him that he had no military jurisdiction,
and sent for the military commander re-
siding uptown here, TO take delivery of
the dispatch brought by said officer.
About this time small volunteer force
got into position near the custom house,
and the two companies of the regulars
which on the first alarm of the approach
of the American feet had been ordered
to the port, were echeloned on the road
leading from here to the harbor. With
the latter forces came the late military
commander oft his district, Colonel San
martin.
ION the latter being informed that there
was an American officer, bearing, under
a flag of truce, dispatch for him, he re-
piled that without direct authority from
the governor-general he could not receive
it. On getting this reply the American Off
informed the captain of the port that he
would give half an hours grace for the
military commander to come and take de-
livery of the dispatch.
In the meantime Sanmartin had come
uptown and had a conference with the
gOvernor-general by wire, laying before
him the state of affairs. But as the hour
fixed by the American officer was draw
ing to a close. and he threatened to re-
ICA II OI DOdIQ Will tue ulSRdlCH uIUt-
livered, two members of the consular
body-Messrs. Toro, British vice consul,
and Rossly. vice consul oft he Neither |
lands-went down to the port together |
with uor mayor, Mr. r. U. Colom and one |
of our citizens Mr.. P. J. Fournier, with |
the object of requesting an extention of
the time fixed by that officer to await |
the reply Of the governor general.
1t seems that the latters answer to the |
military commander was that he should |
do his duty; by which. we suppose, he |
implied that resistance should be made, in |
spite Of the immense superiority of the |
invading forces and of the fleet, which, by /
this time, had increased by the arrival of |
several vessels more. AS the American |
grew impatient at the nom
return Of the first boat sent ashore, he |
sent another. bringing two officers and a |
squad of soldiers. who bore with them |
the American flag and two rockets for |
signalling. We presume. in case of need.
said officers, with the squad and nag, |
advanced as far as the very door OF the |
ca plain of the ports office; but the Brit |