New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-06
CASHMERE BOUQUET
WORKS..

10 zee The presence OF an active foe was not
suspected after the American flag was raised
and the Spaniards we're well concealed by the
houses. trees and branches OF the neighborhood'
General Miles stopped on his way ashore
boarded the Gloucester and warmly thanked
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright: for, had
the Spaniards not beer uncovered by the
.;loucester's fire. many American lives would
have been sacrificed in the landing OF the troops
which followed Immediately.
When Lieutenant Huse and his men were re-
lieved by a battery Of the 9th Regular AT
tillery and returned on board the Gloucester
they were most heartily cheered by their ship
mates. BY the soldiers on the transports and by
the crews Of all the vessels in sight.
ENEMY COULD NOT SEE THE SHIPS.
II is thought the Spaniards would not nave
been so willing to attack the Americans II they
had been able to see the big warships and the
transports outside the harbor. but these vessels
were hidden from Guanico by the points or iand
on each side Of the harbor entrance.
The landing of the troops was conducted in
methodcal manner. and was easily accom-
plished. having been carefully planned. Boat
load after boatload Of men, and sometimes long
strings Of boats lowed bv the steam: launches
Of the Massachusetts made for the shore. and
the troops formed into companies and promptly
occupied the points of vantage In the neigh
borhood.
A strong detachment OF troops was sent TO
Yauco a small place about five miles inland.
which forms the western terminus OF the rail-
road leading to Ponce fifteen miles distant, due
east The highway thence Is very bad. but the
military road from Ponce TO San Juan. eighty
five miles. is in admirable condition and fully
adapted for the passage Of artillery and NUM-
tons OF war.
The Port Of Ponce contains considerable ship
ping and before this letter is published the
cable will doubtless have announced the fall Of
the second city of fruitful. beautiful Porto Rico.
The island, by the way. is heathfui. II ordinary
care is taken. and fears Of yellow fever. as an
epidemic. need not be entertained
NO SERIOUS FIGHTING EXPECTED.
There may be fighting but II Is safe to predict
that there will not be so many American
casualties as at Santiago before Old Glory re-
places the Spanish flag over the MORO Of San
Juan.
At the request OF Colonel Whitney. of General
MIles's staff who made the famous reconnois-
sance Of Porto Rico the dispatch boat Of The
Associated Press to- night will take from st.
Thomas to Guanico Philip c. Hanna. Consul Of
the United States at Porto Rico. who left San
Juan at about the time General F1tznugn Lee
left Havana. and who has been In st. Thomas
ever since. M Hanna will assist General Miles
in a number Of ways. He will take with him
several Porto Rican guides for the use Of the
Army
Mr.. Hanna thinks the only troops to be feared
in Porto Rico are about five thousand Spanish
regulars and seven thousand colonial troops.
The latter. however. are already grumbling over
their arrears Of pay. oflcal lies and scanty food.
while the so-called volunteers II given arms.
are as likely TO Join the Americans as they are
TO fight for the Spaniards' 10
The English residents Of the island OF Porto
Rico as a matter OF course. eager for
American occupancy. and this is true, Mr..
Hanna adds. of the French and German resi-
dents we'll &c..
In the light OF the Cuban Developments 1t may
be pleasant TO know that the insurgents OF
Porto Rico are merely insurgents AT heart. That
Ia to say. they are neither armed nor organized.
and when the troops have captured Porto Rico
there will be no unsoved problem to trouble
the American authorities.