The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-08-03
LuVI BE r

son as military governor. who would keer
their laws under a martial form.
Gen. Miles and Gen. Wilson then stepped
out on the balcony to view the square. The
crowd cheered wildly and the two Ameri-
can generals hastily withdrew. They re-
ceived an ovation as they made their way
to headquarters. Mayor Colon, after the
conference. told me he was glad the Ameri-
cans had come. The island, he said, now
would enjoy prosperity and peace. and the
best citizens wanted the Americans to take
possession.
The political prisoners in the Quartet de
lnfantria were released by our soldiers.
Redolf Figeroa was saved in the nick OF
time from being shot by the Spaniards. He
was charged with having cut the telegraph
wire between Ponce and San Juan last
week.. 1t was his plan to prevent the au-
'horities in Ponce from sending to San Juan
for reinfOrcementS. He had been led from
his cell to be executed, but when our ships
entered the harbor the Spaniards fled and
Figeroa escaped. Some men who had beer,
political prisoners for years were released.
The anchors Of the American vessels had
scarcely touched the bottom of the
harbor before the ships were sur
rounded by boats filled with citizens shout
ing ''Vive Americanos!" The flags Of all
nations except Spain foated from the houses
in the city as protection against destruc-
ton. On signal houses were the flags OF
six nations. These citizens who fed began
to return from the hills and woods this
afternoon They brought their treasure back
to the banks and stores from which they
had taken them for fear they would be lost
The stores were opened again in the even
ing.
The I'd and Sd Wisconsin troops are scout
ing over the bills for lurking Spaniards
The Mobile, with the 18th PENNSYLVANIA vol
mt 1nft III fSI
the Cincinnati and arrived here at noon
The Pennsylvania troops are patrOling the
city.
Macadam roads extend from this CITY to
San Juan, the distance being but 100 miles
These roads cost $25, 900, 600, and there are
seven towns between here and San Juan
All of these towns will be taken. Only two
of them-AibonitO and Cagnas-are fortified
These roads wind through the mountains
and afford ample opportunity for the Span
iards to await the American troops in am
bush. The prospect is that the march will
be a slow one.
The landing of the American forces was
greatly simplified by the capture Of many
lighters, which were used for men and
horses. A considerable quantity of coal was
seized. Gen. Macias and Col San Martin,
who had been ordered by the governor
general to fight the Americans, were pre-
pared to resist until shortly before our
troops arrived. At the solicitation OF all
of the consuls the Spaniards retreated to
the mountains. The garrison of 1000 reg
ulars and many volunteers remained and
welcomed the Americans.
The Spanish soldiers on the island are
said to number 1000 regulars and 5000 vol
unteers. None of the American ships had
been reported at Fajardo or Culebra at day
light this morning. 1t is probable that the
expedition to be landed at Fajardo will
the expected reinforcements are not COM
ing and the contest is utterly hopeless.
The insurgents are in overwhelming num-
bers and the Spaniards can only obtain the
bare necessares Of life.
Only fortnight ago Spanish national
pride was rampant, but it is now merging
into indignation at Spain's feetteness, and
regret that they were born Spaniards.
While they will never surrender without
fight, the Spanish officers will jump at the
first honorable opportunity to surrender.
They fear national disgrace too much to
give in without a fight.
The fighting in the suburbs is desultory,
and the Americans are idle. This has given
rise to report that they are determined to
suspend operations until September, and by
that time peace will probably be concluded.
Then, it is asserted here the Americans
may permanently annex the Caroline
islands and the Ladrone islands and possi-
bly, abandon the Philippines, with the ex-
ception of keeping coaling station here.
Although the insurgents have redoubled
tnelr JHey nave nltnertO been
able to capture the citadel
On the other hand the Spaniards are not
able to reestablish their suzerainty.
Under the circumstances it seems evident
that somebody must interfere in the name
Of humanity.
Some insurgent shells have been thrown
into the citadel but they do not appear to
have done much damage
The natives are reported to be starving by
thousands.
PONCE, Porto Rico, Thursday July 2S,
Evening, Via St. Thomas, Friday, July 80,
Morning.-The American conquest of Porto
Rico has begun auspiciously. The Spanish
have abandoned Ponce, the principal Dort
on the southern coast Of the island, and
in many respects its most progressive city.
Last night Gen. Miles landed and this
morning took possession and raised the
stars and stripes. The Inhabitants re-
ceived the Americans with open arms and
gave them the widest and most cxag-
gerated welcome, indicating that the popu-
lation was ripe for the revolt which was
touched the shore.
The forces landed at Guanica on Monday
have been moved and now hold the tern1i-
nus of the railway connecting Nauco with
Ponce. They encountered no opposition
except on Tuesday morning at day light,
when the advance skrmshers pushed nto
a force of Spanlards occupying a house on
the Yauco road The skrmishers, under a
hot fire, fell back and then again came
gallantly forward, driving the enemy for u
mile from the Notifications into the bush.
In the encounter three Americans We're
wounded.
Capt. Edward ]. Gibbons, &C. A, shot in
the left leg.
Capt B. A. Bostwick, Co. L, shot in the
left arm, slightly.
Private James Drummond, Co. X. shot
in the neck.
The enemy lost three Killed and IA
wounded.
After the action. 1t was believed that the
enemy intended to contest the advance for
Guanica and Gen. Miles made prepara tions
to send Gen. Wilson'S troops to Ponce with
a view of throwing them between Ponce
and the enemy and closing in upon the lat
ter fror both directions. He sent word to
Capt Higginson, of the battleship Massa-
chusetts, yesterday to be ready to cover
the landing today.
An officer accordingly was sent ashore
yesterday afternoon to formally demand
the surrender of the port Of Ponce, three
miles from the city of Ponce. The officer
was greatly surprised to learn that rot
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