The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-08-07
TRIUMPH IN PORTO RICO.

give that affair political Importance
which even transcends its military
consequences, says the Globe-Demo-
crat. The port OF Ponce surrendered
to Commander Davis, of the auxiI-
iary gunboat Dixie, without any re-
sistance, and the city, three miles
inland, capitulated to Gen. Ernest.
This puts the largest city in Porto
Rico-for Ponce has more inhabitants
than San Juan, the capital of the
island-in American hands, gives us
a virtual mastery of the whole south
ern coast Ct the island, and puts US
in possession of q good highway lead
ing to San Juan, seventy miles dis
tant in a northeasternly direction.
Over that road the heaviest artillery
can be drawn with ease. The country
between these two most important
points in the island is exceedingly
favorable for military operations.
This is the purely military side of
the capture of Ponce. It's political
side lies in the temper of the people
toward our soldiers. "The populace
received the troops and saluted the
the flag with wild enthusiasm" says
Gen. Miles in his report. 'The
Porto Ricans," remarks the Associ-
ated Press dispatch, "are glad
that the American troops have
landed, and say they are all Ameri-
cans and will join our army" It is
clear from these expressions that
the change of sovereignty for Porto
Rico will give satisfaction TO It's peo-
pie. The visit of the American
troops has long been expected aud is
welcome. The Spaniards have always
said, and all the other Europeans
have thought, that Spanish rule has
been agreeable to Porto Rico, but
long before this war began Americans
learned that the Spanish yoke was as
burdensome in that island as it was
elsewhere. The reason the Porto
Ricans have raised fewer rebellions
than the Cubans is that their island
is smaller than that of their kindred
to the westward, it is intersected in
all directions by good roads, along
which troops can pass quickly, and
hence rislngs could be easily sup
pressed.
Porto Rico's political problems will
be as readily solved as its military
difficulties are being surmounted.
The American military forces "re
lease you from your former political
relations" says Gen. Miles in his
proclamation TO the inhabitants of
Porto Rico, "and it is hoped this
Will be followed by your cheerful
acceptance of the government of the
United States" This aspiration will
undoubtedly be gratified. The Porto
Ricans, under American authority,
will have such home rule as their
needs demand, will be part of the
greatest and most progressive nation
on the earth, and will, for the first
time IN their lives, learn just
what liberal government means.
Thus the capitulation of Ponce is
even more gratifying for what it
foreshadows than for what it imme-
diately brings. It indicates there
will be very little resistance from
the Spanish soldiers anywhere in the
island and that, after Spanish author
ity is overthrow, the adjustment of
the inhabitants to their new relations
will be easy and pleasant. The en-
thusiastic welcome which the people
of Porto Rico extend to the Ameri-
can troops will show the Spanish
dynasty the necessity of Immediately
making peace on any terms which the
the United States offers.