Evening journal., 1898-09-07
SCHLEY Ats SAN JUAN
Head Of Porto Rican Commits
sion Joins General Brooke.
A VISIT TO GENERAL MACIAS.
The Admiral Received with All Naval
uonors-Work the Commission Has
Before It-spaniards Likely to
Prove Obstinate.

SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Sept. THE
United States transport Seneca, carry
ing Rear Admiral w. S. Schley and
Brigadier General w. w. Gordon Of the
Porto Rico military commission, arriv-
ed off the harbor Monday night, but did
not enter until yesterday morning. TIE
United States protected cruiser New
Orleans, which is lying in the ffarbor,
fired an admirars salute Of 13 guns.
The Spanish gunboat Isabel Segunda
responded with 13 guns. whereupon the
New Orleans set the Spanish flag at
the peak and saluted it with 1S guns.
A boat Immediately put Off from the
New Orleans to the Seneca and took
Admiral Schley aboard. AS he went over
the steamers side her passengers,
among whom he had become exceeding
ly popular, gave three cheers and a
tiger" One man in his enthusiasm
yelled. "Hurrah for the next presi-
dent!" Admiral Schley was given an
enthusiastic reception on board the
New Orleans.
The Seneca brought also the postal
commission, 80 nurses and six contract
surgeons. There are 13 postal clerks
with the commission for the various
stations. The commission will make
an investigation into the postal system
Of the island and report to Washing
ton
Messrs. f. Dumaresq, ]. d. H. Luce
and w. II. Lathrop. representing the
Boston firm of De Ford & Co., which
has been appointed the governments
fiscal agent in Porto Rico, will establish
banks at San Juan and Ponce. They
believe the United States government
will eventually retire the Porto Rican
currency which the local banks are
trying to maintain close to par at an
arbitrary price. 1t is valued approx
mately at S1,0O0,0O0
The Seneca proceeded to Ponce yes
terday afternoon. Paymaster Arthur,
who is on board has 81 900 900 for the
troops.
When the admrars pennant was
raised on board the New Orleans. the
marines paraded and the band played.
Shortly before noon the Spanish Brig
adler General Vallarino made an Off
cial visit TO Admiral Schley and was
saluted with seven guns.
During the afternoon Admiral Schley
and General Gordon came ashore and
took up their quarters at the Hotel In
gleterra, where they will remain dur
ing the sessions of the military COM
mission. They walked from the quay
to'the hotel, attracting much atten-
ton. The Spanish soldiers and sailors
who throng the city seemed especially
curious to see the man who destroyed
Cervera's fleet. krhs only guard for the
party consisted of three policeman, but
even these were Unnecessary, as there
was no hostile demonstration whatever.
About 4 o'clock General Brooke arriv-
ed from his headquarters at Rio Pie
dras, and the three commissioners. all
Of whom are outranked by Captain Cen
eral Mac'as. made a call of courtesy
upon him.
The United States commissioners de-
sire to dispatch their work as soon as
possible, but they have no idea Of the
time 1t will require. Everything de-
pends upon the attitude of the Spanish
commissioners. All appears clear sail
Ing to General Brooke and his colleagues,
but it is reported that the Spanish COM
missioners expect considerable compen-
sation for the property to be re-
linquished Their instructions were re-
ceived Monday by the steamer Ciudad
de Cadiz. One of the commissioners is
said to have remarked to Admiral
Schley that he was anxious to leave for
Spain and that If he had his way the
proceedings would terminate so that he
could go in a week.