Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-04
JOY IN PORT PONCE
MILES GLADLY WELCOMED By
PORTO RICANS.
ON TO SAN JUAN NOW
Big Broad Road from Captured
City to Capital Of Island-Consul
Hanna Urges Captain General
Machias to Ask Madrid for Per
mission to Surrender.

Ponce, Thursday Evening, via ST.
Thomas, July 51.-The campaign in
Porto Rico began auspiciously. The
Spaniards have abandoned Ponce, the
principal port on the southern
coast of the island, and in many re-
spects its most progressive city. Last
night Miles landed and this morn
ing took possession and raised the
stars and stripes. The inhabitants
received the American with open
arms and gave them the widest and
most exaggerated welcome. The
forces landed at Guanica Monday now
hold the terminus Of the railway
connecting Vauco with Ponce. They
encountered no opposition except on
Tuesday morning at daylight, when
the advance of the skirmishers
pushed into a force of Spaniards
occupying a house on the Yauco road.
the skirmishers, under hot fire, fell
back and then again came
calamity forward, driving the
enemy for mile from the
Notifications into the bush.
Three Americans were wounded:
Captain Edward J. Gibbons, Co. A,
shot in the left leg; Capt. B. A. Bost-
wick, Co. L, in the left arm slightly;
Private James Drummond, Co. X, in
the neck. The enemy lost three
killed and IA wounded. Miles sent
word to Captain Higginson, of the
battleship Massachusetts yesterday
to be ready to cover the landing to-
day. An officer was accordingly sent
ashore yesterday afternoon to form
ally demand the surrender of the port
of Ponce, three miles from the city.
The officer was greatly surprised to
learn that not only the port but the
city was ready to capitulate. The
Spanish commandment with 1000 men,
without artillery, had been taken
completely by surprise. A force of
marines was Immediately landed from
the Annapolis and the American
flag hoisted over the customs house.
During the night the Spanish troops
retired along the military road to-
ward San Juan, where it is probable
Capt. Gen. Machias will eventually
concentrate all the Spanish forces of
the island. II the morning Miles es-
tablished Headquarters at the customs
house and raised the American flag
The scene when our soldiers
reached the wharves along the water
front was remarkable. Thousands Of
residents of the city, men, women
and children, lined the water front,
and shouts Of joy greeted them. The
soldiers were received like liberators
rather than intruders. The 10Th reg
iment Immediately marched to the
city and established a provost guard
in the municipal building. On every
hand the greatest satisfaction is
evidenced.
All approaches to the city are care
fully guarded tonight. Gen. Henry
will effect a juncIure with Wilson
here as soon as possible, and these
troops will await the arrival Of
other troops now on their way,
The military road to San Juan is broad
and well beaten and will Offer no such
difficulty to the passage Of
artillery and supply trains
as did the soggy. unbroken
tracts of Cuba. The Spanish made
stand at a small town, resisting
Henry's advance, seven miles nUth
tonight. The artillery fire could be
seen distinctly as the dispatch boat
bearing this news left at 7 O'Clock
Miles and Wilson with stats, &C
companied by the British, French,
German and Danish consuls, called
upon Alcalde this afternoon. The
latter gave them a gracious welcome
and asked to be advised as to Miles
desires in regard tc the government Of
the city. Miles informed him it was
not his purpose to interfere ia any
way with the local government, and
advised the aIcalde to conduct his adj
ministration as usual. He said, how
ever, that all persons having arms
given by the Spanish must give them
up or be treated as enemies The al
calde said tnat this would be done. At
the conclusion of the conference, the
American officers stepped to the bal
cony overlooking the plaza, where
several thousand people had assem-
bled. The crowd cheered and the
American bands played national
airs
United States Consul Hanna, who
is personal friend of Machias, cap
tain general of San Juan, telegraphed
the latter today urging him to wire
the Madrid government to surrender
in the name Of humanity as the
Americans were certain Of victory.