Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1898-08-04
ON TO SAN |UAN
The Progress Of Gen.
eral Miles Army
in Porto Rico.
THE CITY OF PONCE IS OURS
Sharp Engagement with Spanish Troops
Before Yanco--Ensmy Was RepuIsed
with Loss-Generai Miles Issues q
Proclamation to the People.

Proclamation to the People.
Port Of Ponce, Porto Rico, via the
Island of st. Thomas, Aug. 1.-The
port Of Ponce surrendered to Com
mander G. II. Davis, Of the auxiliary
gunobat Dixie. There was no resist
ance, and the Americans were wei
coined with enthusiasm.
MaJor-G General Miles arrived here
this morning at daylight, with General
Ernst's brigade and General Wilson'S
divisions on board transports. General
Ernst's brigade Immediately started for
the town Of Ponce, three miles inland,
which capitulated this afternoon.
The American troops are pushing to-
ward the moaatains. and will join Gen
eral Henry, with his brigade, at Yanco.
which has been captured by our troops.
A fight before the latter place last
Tuesday was won by the American
companies Of the sixth Massachusetts
and Sixth Illinois, but the enemy was
repulsed and driven back mile to the
ridge where the Spanish cavalry
charged, and was route1 by our in
fantry. General GarTetson led the
fight with the men from Illinois and
Massachusetts, and the enemy retreat
ed to Yanco, leaving four dead and
several wounded. None of our men
were killed, and only four were slightly
wounded.
The Porto Ricans are glad the Amer
lean troops have landed, and say they
are all Americans and will join our
army. The roads are good for military
purposes. Our troops are in good
health. and General Miles says the
campaign will be short and vigorous.
General Miles has issued the follow
ing proclamation:
In the prosecution OF the war against
the kingdom of Spain by the people OF
the United States in the cause of lib
erty, justice and humanity, its military
forces have come to occupy the island
OF Porto Rico. They come bearing the
banners Of freedom, inspired by a noble
purpose, to seek the enemies of our gov,
ernment and of yours, and to destroy OF
capture all its armed resistance. They
bring you the fostering arms of a free
pTeople, whose greatest power is justice
and humanity to all living within theil
fold. Hence they release you from
your former political relations. and il
is hoped this will be followed by youI
cheerful acceptance.
The chief object of the American
military forces will be to overthrow the
authority of Spain and give the people
OF your beautiful land the largest meas
ure OF liberty consistent with this mill.
tary occupation. They have not come
to make war on the people of the coun-
try, who for centuries have been op'
pressed, but, on the contrary, they
come to protest not only yourselves,
but your property, promote your pros
perity and bestow the immunities and
blessings of our enlightened AMI liberal
institutions and government. 1t is not
the purpose to interfere with the exist.
ing laws and customs which are whole,
some and beneficial to the people, SC
long as they conform to the rules Of
the military administration, order and
justice. This is not war of deyasta.
tion and desolation, but one to give all
within the control of the military and
naval forces the advantages and bles,
sings of enlightened civilization.