The evening times., 1898-09-08

New York, Sept. S.-A dispatch TO the
Herald from San Juan says:
Spanish officials here have entered upon
a campaign of destruction, contrary to
the spirit, If not the letter of the recent
ly signed protocol Yesterday, befora The
American Commission landed, soldiers
were put at work in the arsenal
destroying the arms which had been
stored there The rifles and smaller arms
were hammered to pieces and then the
debris was thrown into the sea. To-Day
boys are hawking about the streets tie
breechlocks of Remington rifles, which
many are buying for souvenirs.
Word was sent out 10 the country towns
10 destroy all arms and ammunition he
fore the arrival of the Americans. Fo'-
lowing out this order the sD,diers stacked
their arms and then built bonfires about
them Large quantities of loose powder
were also destroyed by fire.
In Ponce tons of powder has been
dumped into the harbor. In fact. the
waters, usually clear, are tonight as
muddy and black as the waters of Ha-
Vana harbor.
In all the public departments the exam
pie set by the military men has been fol-
lowed. and much destruction OF property
has taken place. Native prisoners, too,
are for the last time being made to feel
the weight of Spanish justice. Men
imprisoned for the most trivial of crimes
have been put to the torture, and as
result citizens in the vicinity of the Jails
are kept awake at night by the cries OF
the victims. So terrible is the condition
Of affairs that the local papers, embo!-
dened by the near approach of the Amerl-
cans. have entered vigorous protests.
Many of the Spanish troops have s.gni-
fled their intention of remaining here or
enligratine to South America in prefer
ence TO returning 10 Spain.
Gen. Macias this afternoon returned
The visit of Rear Admiral Schley and
Gen Gordon who are quartered at the
Hotel Inglaterra. The visit was In the
nature Of a surprise 10 the two American
officials With their staffs they had en-
tered train to pay a visit 10 Gen.
Brooke. at Rio Piedras, when they Were
notified of Gen. Macias intention 10 call
upon them. They Immediately abandoned
their trip and returned to the hotel.
Gen. Macias, accompanied by his stan,
in brilliant uniform. arrived AT the In
glaterra promptly al 3. coming in car
riages to the hotel entrance. The police
lined the street and KEEP: ;Ae crowds back
Admiral SchIey and Gen. Gordon re-
ceived Gen Macias in the grand rotunda
Of rhe hotel where formal compliments
were exchanged for fifteen minutes. Ear
Her in the day Admiral Schley made d
call upon the senior Spanish officer on
the Concho.
The date Of the first meeting Of the
commission has not yet been named. Gen.
Macias today informed the Spanish com.
missioners thar their full instructions had
not yet arrived from Spain. This will de-
lay matters somewhat.
The transport Manitoba sailed for New
York today from Ponce having on board
Gen. GarretJson and his stan. the Sixth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry and Battery
A. Of Illinois
Although the fiscal agents of tbs
United States Government reached here
today. they brought no money with which
10 pay the troops sent here to fight.
These troops have not been paid since
last June There is intense and wide
spread Indignation among the troops be
cause fiscal agents have been sent by IN,
Government without funds TO pay tn
wages that have SO long been overdue
Strong criticisms Of this official negli
Fence are heard everywhere.
Many officers and men are absOlutel,
penniless. A large number of them ar
III. but, owing TO negligence in Wash
ington they have no money with wnc
TO purchase needed supplies.
This official neglect. added 10 the fac
that Illness among the troops is rapid
increasing, is most discouraging 10 IN
army. Scarcely 60 per cent OF the me
are fitted for effective or active duty
and should an emergency arise our arm
would be at a great disadvantage.