The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-17
SPANISH MASSACRES.
spain's Soldiers Killed Ninety Git
) izens Of Ciales
FOR HOSTING OUR BANNER.

Hnd the Spaninrds Been Enterprising
They Might Easily Have Adminis-
tered Severe Punishment to the First
Invaders OF Porto Rico.
Ponce. Porto Rico. Aug. 17.--White
flags flutter at the Spanish and Amer
lean outposts. and all Is quiet, The
first report Of outrages by the Span
iards within their lines was brought
to the headquarters of General Wilson
Sunday by priest who headed depu-
tation from Ciales, 20 miles northeast OF
Utuado. The inhabitants of the place
raised the American flag after the
Spanish troops had left. The troops
returned, tore down the flag ana
macheted 80 Of the inhabitants. This
occurred on Saturday. The priest ap-
peaed to the Americans for protec-
ton, but the latter are powerless to
interfere In the present circumstances,
even though reign of terror be in
augurated.
The Chester, with the First engineers,
Colonel Griffin. arrived yesterday. Bat.
teries A and c, OF the Pennsylvania
light artillery, the Governors Troop
and Sheridan Troop dlsembarked from
the Manitoba and are camped on the
outskirts of the town. No disposition
of these troops has yet been decided
upon.
The Columbia sailed last night for
New York, via st. Thomas and Key
West. The warships Puritan, Terror,
Prairie Gloucester, Wasp. Leyden and
Annapolis will go to Guanca today,
and will remain there until they re-
ceive further orders. The harbor there
is good one.
Had the Spaniards been enterprising
they could have administered some Sc
we're punishment to the American in
vadng forces here. For week after
the first landing WAS made at Guanica
we had small detached forces at vari-
Gus little points, miles from support,
which might have been surprised and
cut to pieces, or captured, had the
enemy been bold and dashing.
With but two regiments ashore
guarding our base, and without cav
airy or guns Colonel Hulings, with
two battalions of the Fourth Pennsyl-
vania, advanced out on the main road
retreated, and established two COM
panies at Juana Daz, eight miles away.
Six companies were held In reserve in
the rear Of the town.
Considering the force at his COM
mand. Colonel Hulngs disposed his
mer admirably, but the Spaniards, who
at first considerably outnumbered Colo
mel Hulings force, could at any time
have tlanked him. The broad fields
which stretch away on each side Of
the military road are covered with
growing sugar cane from six to ten
feet high. and would afford shelter
to an army corps. But the Spaniards
did not attempt to molest the small in
vading force, although they must have
had plenty Of information regarding
our location and numbers. They did
not even attempt to waylay the little
dotachments which Colonel Huiings
sent out on the various roads for re-
connoitering purposes. Occasionally
these reconnoitering parties would run
into Spanish outpost and retire, but
the next day, when a reconnaissance
In force would reach the spot the
Spaniards weuld have disappeared.
Evidences were continually found be-
tween Juan Diaz and Coamo, IA miles
beyond, of contemplated resistance
which had been abandoned at the sight
of our uniforms. Bridges were found
ready for mining. trenches We're begun
and abandoned The Spaniard seems
to fight best when his back Is against
the wall. /