The record-union., 1898-07-31

greeted them. The soldiers were re-
ceived like liberators rather than in
truders. 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 provisional guard in the
municipal building, the soldiers being
blleted in the frescoed and gold dec
Grated room of the Alcalde. On every
hand the greatest satisfaction was evil
denced Women adorned themselves
in their brightest gowns and waved
their hands and smiled as the troops
marched through the streets. Public
vehicles did thriving business in con-
veying the curious to the harbor to view
the American ships. The doors of the
merchant houses were opened and the
whole city presented the appearance of
a fete. The poor are especially re-
joiced
The city Of Ponce is romantic and
picturesque. with buildings of old Moor
ish and Spanish architecture. It's
broad plaza and blue, pink and green
tinted hues present a pleasing appear
ance, and it's streets are clean and well
paved. The inhabitants are mostly ma
tive Porto Ricans, a we'll defined race,
resulting from a blending of Spanish
and original CaribS with a sprinkling
of foreigners, mostly French and Ger
mans, and a few English and Ameri-
cans. All the approaches to the city
are carefully guarded tonight. General
Henry will effect juncture with Gen.
eral Wilson here as soon as possible
and our troops will await the arrival Of
other troops now on the way. The mil
itary road to San Juan is broad and
we'll beaten and will offer no difficulty
to the passage of artillery and supply
trains, as did the soggy and almost
unbroken trails of Cuba to the advance
of General Shafter. The Spanish made
a stand at small town, resisting Cen
eral Henry's advance, seven miles north
of Ponce, tonight. Artillery fire can
be seen distinctly as the dispatch boat
bearing this news left at o'clock in
the evening.
Information received by General Miles
means that there is less than 1000 reg
ulars and 5000 volunteers in the island.
General Miles and General Wilson, with
their staffs, accompanied by the Brit
ish, French, German and Danish Con-
suls, called upon the Alcalde this after
noon. The latter gave them gra
cious welcome. and asked to be advised
as to General Miles desires with regard
to the government of the city.
General Miles informed him that it
was not his purpose to interfere in any
way with the local government and ad
vised the Alcalde to conduct his admin
istration as usual He said, however,
that all persons having arms given by
the Spanish must give them up or be
treated as enemies. The Alcalde said
that this should be done.
AT the conclusion of the conference,
which was brief, the American officers
stepped to balcony Of the municipal
building overlooking the plaza. where
several thousand people, including the
fire department and a number of bands.
were assembled The crowd cheered
General Miles and the American bands
played national airs.
Surgeon Greenleaf said to-day that
there was no yellow fever in Ponce or
it's vicinity, but there are a few cases
of smallpox. United States Consul
Hanna who is a personal friend of
Captain General Macias. telegraphed to
the latter to-day, advising him to wire
the Madrid Government to surrender in
the name Of humanity, as the Ameri-
cans are certain of victory.