The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-04
IN A TIGHT PLACE
General Roy Stone Surrounded
by Spaniards
In Mountain Defile of Porto
Rico.
SENT OUT A MESSAGE
Before Communication Was Cut
Off.
Said He Would Push on With
Help of Natives.
INT OUT A MESSAGE

Ponce, Island of Porto Rico, Wit St.
Thomas, d. W. L, Aug. 4-General Roy
Stone while accommodating nOrthward
along the road leading to Arecibo on the
north coast, with a company of Second
Wisconsin regiment encountered oppo-
sitiOn at UtuadO, where a small force
of Spanish regulars and volunteers had
been instructed by Captain General
Macias to resist to the bitter end.
The SpaniardS refused to surrender,
and Gen. Stone telephoned back to Ad-
juntaS that he would push on, aided by
a force of natives armed with macheteS.
Before the messenger left Adjuntas,
where u men had been left, q, Spanish
force was reported to be between Gen
Stone and Adjuntas picketed on the
trail between Adjuntas and Utuado IN
the heart of the mountains. AS the
troops have to move in single file, ten
men can stop a regiment. Gen. Stones
messengers rode all night.
The Spanish Position.
Ponce, via St. Thomas, d. w. L, Aug.
4.-The plan of campaign is not fully
determined upon, but the natural
strength of the Spanish position at All
bonftO and the character of the defen-
sive works erected there necessitates a
flank movement.
The turning movement was inaugur-
ated when Gen. Brooke landed 5000
men at Arroyo, sixty miles east of here.
From there he can strike the military
road to San Juan at Cayey, beyond
AibOnitO. This will compel the Span
Ism COMMANDER, zen. AALeSd, VINO mas d
great reputation, to abandon his strong
hold or be caught between two fires.
Tt is possible that a second column
may move on his left flank also in which
case the present advance on his front
will be shown to be only a feint.
Gen. Stone is making a dashing re
cOnnOtssance north in the direction of
ArecibO. He went into AdjuntaS with
brought his command on along the
UtuadO road. The road rises west of
Cayey range and is rough but practi-
cable for cavalry and infantry. If it
is found possible at Utuado a light COL
umn of troops may be pushed across to
the north coast and strike San Juan on
the left flank. But if Gen. Brooke is
successful it is probable that Gen.
Otega will find AibOnitO untenable, in
which case the whole of our army, af-
ter effecting a junction, will move on
the main road.
Gen. Stone met with a most enthusi-
astic welcome from the natives in the
villages and towns through which he
passed. Women and children Strewed
the streets with flowers and as he pas
sed houses and town halls flew home
made American flags. Behind him
moves c company of the Second Wis
cOnSin regiment, under Lieut.. BOdines.
The enemy numbering about 400 pre-
ceded him. The enemy was for hours
in full retreat. Our advance has not
been extended beyond Juan Diaz
though accommodating parties have
touched COamO.
Gen. GarretsOn's brigade and the bat
teries are camped just beyond Ponce.
A general advance will not be or
dered until all of Gen. Miles plans are
perfected, but when the advance is
once begun it will be very rapid.
The fleet will bonn bard San Juan and
make other diversions to keep the en-
envy busy at every point.
In the harbor of Ponce and at Arroyo
on board ship is the Third Illinois, the
First Ohio, the Fourth Pennsylvania
the Fifth and Nineteenth regulars, and
the Thirty Michigan.
There are constant alarms at the out
posts, but there has been no fighting as
yet.
Spaniards Reported Advancing.
Ponce, via Kingston, Jamaica, Aug
4.-The Spaniards are reported to be
advancing, though it is not generally
In addition to the regular fortihca-
lions at AibOnitO on the road to San
Juan, it is reported that the enemy
mined the cliffs, preparatory to block
ing the road if obliged to retire.
San Martin, the Spanish commander
here, who evacuated this place without
orders, is a prisoner at San Juan de
Porto Rico. He will be tried for cow
ardice and probably will be executed.
Waiting For ReinfOrCements.
Ponce, Island of Porto Rico. Aug. A.
So far as known, no further forward
movement will be made by the Ameri-
can troops until the arrival of more
transports, which are expected hourly.
There has been no fighting up to the
present, so far as known. The Span
iardS are expected to make their first
stand at AibOnitO, So miles from here
where two or three thousand Spanish
regulars are believed to be entrenched.
The present prospect is that there