The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-17
Neglected Golden Chances
In Porto Rico.
MIGHT HAVE HIT HARD.
Became Faint. Hearted at Sight Of
American Uniforms,
BRIDGES READY FOR MINING.

Ponce, Porto Rico. Aug. 17.-Had the
Spaniards been enterprising they could
have administered severe punishment
to the American invading forces here.
For week after the first landing was
made at Guanica we had small forces at
various points, miles from support.
which might have been surprised or cap
tured. or cut to pieces had the enemy
been bold and dashing. With but two
regiments ashore guarding our base and
without cavalry or guns, Colonel Hull
1ngs, with two battal1ons OF the Fourth
Pennsylvania. advanced out on the main
road TO San Juan, over which the Span.
tards retreated. and established two
companies at Jurana Diaz. eight milss
away. Six companies were held in re-
serve In the rear OF the town.
Considering the force at his command.
Colonel EIulings disposed his men ad-
mirably: but the Spaniards. who at first
considerably outnumbered Colonel Hull
ingr force, conid at any time have
haufsd him. The broad fields which
stretch away on each side Of the mill
tary road are covered with growing
sugar .canA from six TO 10 feet high, and
would acZDrd shelter TO an army corps,
but the gpaniards did not attempt to mo-
leot the Invading forces. although they
mu1e AeVa had plenty of informal ation re-
garoipg 1pr location and numbers. They
did not. even attempt to waylay the
1ittls d(tachniiatR which Hulings sent
out on he various foads for reconnoiter-
lng pcrpeseo, ot1ksi6nAlly these part
iee would rub inio . Spanish outpost and
retire bpt the next day. when q recon-
naisance In force you'd reach the spot.
the spaniards would have disappeared.
Evtdences were continually found be-
tween Juah Dias And Coama, IA miles
beyond, OF contemplated resistance.
which hed been abandoned at the sight
OF odr uniforms. Bridges were found
ready for mining: trenches were begun
and abandoned. The Spaniard seems
TO hight hest when his back is against
the wall. II was 30 at Santiago. He
seems to dread the first onset. but once
the fightipg Il begun. he shows an utter
tadifference TO death. Thus. without
strilkfng a blow. the main Spanish force
which had been stationed here retreated
Nh the way to Abonito. while the small
committing all sorts Of depredations and
terrorizlng the Inhabitants. were all
drawn in at that point. Perhaps It IL no
small wonder shat they grew faint
hearted when confronted With the Amer
leans who had dealt them such blows by
land and sea; but II must also be said
IN their defense that San Martin, their
commander here. was considered rank
coward for svacuating Ponce. and IL
took the Spanish troops some time to
rally after the demoralixing example set
by him. When Otega, his superior. took
San Martin was sent to San
Juan under arrest.
The Wholesale desertion OF the volun.
eeers doubtless contributed also to the
early demoraiisatio of the regiments.
Il u = tribute to the soldiers OF Spain.
however. that not one of them deserted
The voluntary are q poor hot. Most Of
shem} are natives, or Spaniards anxious
20 get into the public service. They
Joined the volunteers because no man
can live on the pubic In any capacity
in Porto Rico unle1e he II enrolled az
volunteer. with the prospect OF i'm.
mediate American control over the isl.
and, these people took the FIRST oppor-
tnnity OF deaerting. A French ship cap.
tain. who was at 0uanica when the first
landing was made there. says he heard
volunteers denouncing the American
pigs'' that day with abundant Spanish
profanity who two days later were greet
Ing our soldiers at Ponce with profuse
- a.