The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-07-30

the suburbs. But he was soon reen-
forced by the regulars, who were fol-
flowed by company q. of the Sixth ILL.,
nois, and then by other troops in quick
succession. All the boats Of the men
of-war and the transports were used
In the work Of landing the troops. each
steam launch towing four or Ave boats
loaded to the sails with soldiers. But,
everything progressed in an orderly
manner and according TO the plans OF
Gen. Miles. The latter went ashore
at about noon, after stopping to board
the Gloucester and thank Lieut.. Com
mander Wainwright for his gallant
action.
Gen. Miles said: "Guanica and Cinga
are in the disaffected portion of the
island. Lattice, the insurgent leader,
lives at Yauco, a few miles inland. Had
we landed at Cape San Juan line Of
rifle pits might have stopped our adj
vance"
officials Surprised.
Washington, July 27.~-The news OF
the landing of Gen. Miles at Guanica,
on the southeast shore of Puerto Rico,
came as genuine surprise TO the war
department. IL had been all carefully
planned that he was TO make his land
ing at another point, as remote as pos
sible from the place where he actually
landed, so there was little wonder that
the officials received the first news OF
the landing with incredulity, and even
went TO the length of supposing that
the story had been put afloat in order
10 distract attention from the point
which had been selected. Just why
Gen. Miles made this wide departure
from the plans of the department is
not known, but IL is supposed that he
gathered some information since he
left Siboncy that induced him TO make
the change. The result, however, has
been to perplex the department Of
ficials deeply and to considerably de-
range their carefully prepared pro-
gramme for the remainder of the ex-
petition. 1t will now be necessary TO
| intercept the sections of the expedi-
tion already at sea heading for certain
selected points on the coast Of Puerto
/ Rico and to advise them Of the change
in the plans.
Gen. Wilson's brigade Is now APP
preaching the island, being due there
to-day. and reinforcements will fol-
low at intervals of one or two days
until the whole force of 10000 men Is
| landed, unless events connected with
the peace negotiations make il ex-
pedient TO stop further movements.
However, II is matter for congratula-
ton TO the war department that Gen.
Miles has managed TO set foot on
Puerto Rico before the first overtures
for peace and thus 10 place the island
in the same position as Cuba and the
Philippines, namely, as territory AT
least partially in the possession Of the
United States at the beginning Of the
negotiations.
tGuanica. the point OF debarkation OF
the Puerto Rican expeditionary force Is
small town OF 1000 inhabitants on the
southern coast OF the island. on a rough
calculation Il Is less than 20 miles air
line distant from Ponce and 65 miles from
San Juan. against which the assault IS 10
be directed. Guanica Is about six miles
! south OF Yauco OF which city II forms the
port, and with which II is connected by a
good road. The town is situated on bay
OF the same name. which forms one OF the
best ports In the whole island. The banks
10 the right are steep and form good
natural wharf. Three vessels can lie along
side and unload by means OF gang planks
Vessels or so feet draft can enter the bay
easily and proceed close in shore. The con-
spicuous advantage OF this port. aside from
the excellent harbor facilities for the
transports, Is the utter absence or fortifca.
tions or mines.
Admits the Landing.
Madrid, July 27.-An official dis
patch from San Juan de Puerto Rice
confirms the report OF an American
landing az Puerto de Guanica. The
spaniards had one officer killed anc
three soldiers wounded. The Ameri
cans, with strong artillery forces, have
established themselves on shore.