The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-01

was maintained by General Ernst and
! the men slept on their arms.
This report, however, soon gave way
! to rumors that the Spanish were re-
treating, putting entire villages. plan
tation buildings and houses to tn
torch, numbering and ravishing as they
went. Some of the wealthy plantation
owners of the vicinity became horror
stricken and appealed wildly TO General
Wilson to direct his troops to the
rescue. but it was manifestly impossible
to divide so small force None of
the reports were confirmed when day
light came except that the Spaniards
were in full retreat. That they in
dulged in excuses of a cruel, vindic-
tive character is doubtless true, but
the town of GUIANA Diaz, which was re-
ported to have been burned last night,
is known TO be standing this morning
VOLUNTEERS SURRENDER.
General Jose Garcia, who is in com
mand of the Spanish regulars-not be-
| lieved to number more than 500-was
deserted by most of the Spanish volun-
teers in his command during the night
and they began struggling back to the
city with the dawn. They Immediately
presented themselves 10 the provost
marshal and surrendered their arms.
The appearance of the volunteers
aroused in the breasts of the natives.
who had suffered at their hands in the
past, especially the political prisoners
who were released when we took the
city, desire for revenge and they be-
gan to ferret out all the Spaniards in
the city who had ever been in the
volunteer service, and dragged them to
the plaza
Bloodhounds could not have been
more savage, for most of the Spaniards
in hiding when discovered, were
dragged by jeering, hooting mobs to
General Wilson'S headquarters or to
the provost marshal's office in the
municipal building. Some of the ma
tives even began looting the residences
of the SpaniardS. They mistook liberty
for license and We're crazed with a
thirst for revenge.
General Wilson, however. soon taught
that revenge could not be wreaked
under the protection of our flag and
peremptorily ordered that the arrest
Of Spanish suspects should cease. Such
volunteers as presented themselves
were, however, received and released
after their names had been taken They
VIII all report tomorrow and be form
ally paroled. Many of them had been
forced into the service of Spain to
escape persecution.
A BUSINESS BOOM.
Business in the city has enjoyed a
great boom since the arrival of the
Americans. The merchants who
closed their places yesterday opened
them today and are eagerly engaged in |
competition for the American dollars.
American gold is at a premium of 100
per cent. Yesterday prices were
cheap today they are enormous Yes
terday the price of a breakfast at the |
hotel Francois was % centavos; today |
II IS one peso. Everything else has !
risen IN proportion. The newspaper |
correspondents have difficulty in OBJ
tanning horses. even at 5000 in gold. |
Inc natives imagine the pockets of the !
Americans can emit a countless flow of |
eagles and double eagles There is a |
plenty OF provisions in the city, except |
rice one OF the staples, which is quoted /
at a very high figure for this country.
our army will not lack for fresh |
meat III the march across the island. |
me broad savannahs which lie he |
tween the indulating hills swarm with |
cattle at reasonable prices and of ex- |
cellent quality.
Garretson's brigade is massed N |
1auco. the terminus of the railroad |
IS miles off. and will probably remain !
there until the army is ready to move |
but 1t is thought the artillery will he |
brought here Immediately
The railroad is in good order hut |
much of the rolling stock has been de- |
stroyed. Yesterday General Keystone |
found several engines wrecked. The |
machinery had been dismembered by |
Spanish SympathiZers at the round |
house and hidden. General Stone gave |
them two hours TO get the engines into |
working order, under penalty of impris-
(COnfi0ued on 1l