The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-08-03
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
AMERICAN TROOPS IN PORTO RICO.
GEN. MERRITT AT MANILA.

AMERICAN TROOPS IN PORTO RICO.
GEN. MERRITT AT MANILA.
The American forces, under command OF |
General Miles, took possession OF the little |
village Of Guanics, on the southwest coast |
OF Porto Rico, on Monday, July 25 There |
were twelve vessels, including FIVE war
ships, in the expedition. conveying 1000 |
troops, artillery, horses, ETC., from Guanta-
namo, Cuba. Though not of large impor-
lance commercially, the harbor of Guanica
is one OF the best in the island. An attempt
was made to resist the landing but few
shells from the warships soon put the
enemy to flight. The Gloucester sent
party ashore to haul down the Spanish flag
from q blockhouse near the beach. AS the
flag was being lowered the Spanish troops
fred on the landing party, which replied
spiritedly with their rifles and a machine
gum The attacking party was silenced with
the loss of several killed None Of the Amer
leans was injured. The troops landed by
nightfall, without incident, taking position
on an elevation, while detachment OF ma
rines held the village. The place is some
fifteen miles west OF Ponce and its occupa-
ton was preliminary to a movement on the
latter port, one of the best and the most i'm
portant commercially on the south coast OF
| the island.
| The American forces pushed on from GU
AMIGA towards Ponce, and that city surren-
dered on Friday, July 49, The Spanish
garrison retired, ind the Americans were
received by the populace with wild enthu-
siasm. The warships entered the harbor,
capturing sixty lighters, twenty sailing yes
sells and 120 tons Of coal. At Yauca, on the
advance to Ponce, there was lively Skin
| mish in which the American loss was four
wounded; the Spanish, 3 killed and 10
wounded. In his dispatch announcing the
capture General Miles says: "This is pros
porous and beautiful country. The army
will soon be in mountain region; weather
delightful troops In best of health and spir-
its; anticipate no insurmountable obstacle
in future Results thus far have been &C
complished without the loss of single life."
The Spanish retreat was preciptous, leav
ing rifles and ammunition in barracks and
the sick in the hospitals. The people en-
ioyed a holiday in honor of the coming of
| the Americans. The surrender was made
to Captain Davis of the auxiliary crusier
Dixie who had been sent from Guanica to
blockade the port Accompanying the
Dixie were the Wasp and Annapolis The
appearance Of the ships off shore created
the apprehension that the city was to be
bombarded, and a delegation of the inhab-
itants was sent aboard the Dixie to an
nounce that the place would be surrendered
without resistance. When General Miles
reached the city he issued the following
proclamation
"In the prosecution of the war against
the Kingdom of Spain by the people Of the
United States, in the cause of liberty, just
ice and humanity, its military forces have
come to occupy the island of Porto Rico.
They come bearing the banner of freedom,
inspired by noble purpose to seek the enc
mics of our Government and of yours, and
to destroy or capture all in armed resist.
| ance.
"They bring you the fostering arms Of a
free people, whose greatest power is justice
and humanity to all living within their fold.
Hence they release you from your former
political relations, and it is hoped this will
be followed by the cheerful acceptance of
the Government OF the United States.
The chief object Of the American forces
will be to overthrow the armed authority of
Spain and give the people of your beautiful
island the largest measure Of liberty con-
sistent with the military occupation.
"They have not come to make war on the
people Of the country, who for centuries
have been oppressed; on the contrary, they
bring protection not only to yourselves but
to your property. They have come to pro-
mote your prosperity and bestow the i'm
munities and blessings of our enlightened
and liberal institutions and government. 1t
is not their purpose to interfere with exist
ing laws and customs, which are whole
some and beneficial to the people, 80 long as
they conform to the rules of the military
administration, order and justice. This is
not war Of devastation and dissolution,
but one to give all within the control OF the
military and naval forces the advantages
and blessings Of enlightened civilization"
The scenes in the city were the most re-
markable that have taken place at any time
during the war. Everybody was in holiday
attire and bent on celebrating the advent
Of the Americans, whom they had been
| tdukuG W EoRdIu DO cucuuicos Dhuub were
playing in the squares and wildly cheer
ing crowd was surging through the streets
shouting "Vivan los Americanos," "Viva
Porto Rico Libre' and similar expressions.
The Wasp was the first ship to arrive.
1t was supposed that the vessel would have
to shell the town. Preparations were made
by piling sandbags around the guns and
taking other precautions against the shore
batteries. The commander Of the small
garrison Of $50 men was in quandary as to
what he should do. The foreign consuls
advised him to leave the city, and when
the Wasp arrived he left. The ship saw no
signs of hostile reception but its crew,
suspecting Spanish treachery, were at the
guns ready for any emergency. Ensign
Curtin with four men was sent ashore with
flag of truce. The party was received
with open arms by the crowd awaiting its
landing Cigars and fruit were thrust upon
them and their boat was half filed with