The Iola register., 1898-08-05
The General Waiting for More
Troops at Ponce, Porto Rico.
SPANISH TROOPS APPLY THE TORCH.
Natives Thirst for Vengeance Against the
Volunteers Gen. Miles relsgraphs That
Volunteers Are surrendering and
People Welcome Americans.

Brooke's army corps and the remainder
OF the First corps are arriving slowly.
Our troops will probably remain here
quietly until the bulk of the army has
disembarked. Gen. Miles will retain
his headquarters at the custom house
at the port of Ponce, while Gen. Will
son will be in immediate command OF
the troops in the city. During the
night all sorts of wild rumors were
brought in to Gen. Wilson. The first
was that the Spanish were to attack
the city in force. In view of this, a
strong line of outposts was maintained
by Gen. Ernst and the men slept on
their arms This report, however,
soon gave way to rumors that the
Spanish were retreating, putting en-.
tire villages, plantation buildings and
houses to the torch, numbering and
ravaging as they went.
Some of the wealthy plantation
owners of the vicinity became horror
stricken and appealed wildly to Gen.
Wilson to dispatch troops to the res
cue, but it was manifestly impossible
to divide so small force. None of
the reports were confirmed when day
light came except that the Spauiards
were in full retreat. That they in
dulged in excesses of a cruel. vindictive
character is doubtless true, but the
town of Juana Dias, which was re-
ported to have been burned, is known
to be standing
Gen. Jose Garcia. who is in immedi.
ate command of the Spanish regulars
not believed to number more than
50O-was deserted by most of the Span
ish volunteers in his command during
the night and they began struggling
back to the city with the dawn. They
immediately presented themselves to
the provost marshal and surrendered
their arms. The appearance of the
volunteers aroused in the breasts of the
natives who had suffered at their hands
in the past, especially the political
prisoners who were released when we
took the city, desire for revenge
and they began To ferret out all the
Spaniards in the city who had ever
been in the volunteer service and
dragged them to the plaza Blood
hounds could not have been more saw
age. Most of the Spaniards in hiding.
upon being discovered were hauled in
triumph by hooting. jeering mobs to
Gen. Wilson's headquarters or to the
provost marshaps office in the munic-
ipal building. Some of the natives
even began looting the residences of
the Spaniards. They mistook liberty
for license and were crazed with
thirst for vengeance.
Gen. Wilson. however, soon taught
them that revenge could not be
wreaked under protection Of our flag,
and peremptorily ordered that the ar
rest Of Spanish suspects should cease.
such volunteers as presented them
selves were, however, received and
released after their names had been
taken. They will all be formally pa
rolled. Many of them had been forced
into the service of Spain to escape
persecution.
Without seeing or hearing anything
of the enemy, the advance guard of
Gen. Heury's division, which landed
at Guanica on Tuesday, arrived here
yesterday, taking the cities of Yauco,
Tallaboa, Sabana Grande and Ponu-
elias. Attempts by the Spauiards to
blow up bridges and otherwise destroy
the railroad between Yauco and Ponce
failed, only few Hat cars being
burned. Our troops have fired up the
locomotives and are now operating the
road from end To end, carrying sup
plies, messages and men.
At Yauco the Americans were well
coined in an address made by the al
cade and a public proclamation was
issued dated: "Yauco, Porto Rico,
United States of America, July 81"
Maj, Webb Hayes, of the Sixth Ohio,
son of former President Hayes. hauled
up the flag on the palace amid cheers
from the populace The people seemed
really glad that the Americans were
here; but they fear an uprising of the
natives in the interior. who it is as
serted will rob, kill and destroy prop
erty in revenge for many years Of
Spanish misrule.
DISPATCH FROM GEN. MILES.
Washington, Aug. l.-Gen. Miles, in
command of the Porto Rican expedi-
tion, sent the following dispatch to
Secretary Alger, which was made pub
lie at the war department at ten o'clock
last night:
Ponce, Porto Rico, July Si-Four kilograms
received aud answered by letter, Volunteers
are surrendering themselves with arms and
ammunition. FJur-ifths OF the people are
overioyed at the arrival OF the army, Two
| thousand from one place have volunte cred to
serve They are bringing in transportation.
| beef cattle and other needed supplies. The
custom house has already yielded fi4,0UO
As soon as all the troops are disem-
| barked they will be In readiness TO move
| Please send any national colors that
can be spared to be given 10 the different mu-
nicipalities request that the question OF the
tariff rate TO be charged In tho parts OF Porto
| Rico occupied by our forces be submitted to
the president for his action, the previously ex-
listing tariff remaining meanwhile In force, As
| to the government und military occupations,
have already given Instructions based upon
the Instructions issued bv the president In the
| case OF the Philippine islands and similar TO