Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-08-04


as known, no further forward move
ment will be made by the American
troops until the arrival of more tran
sports, which are expected hourly. There
has been no fighting up to the present
as far as known. The Spaniards are
expected to make the first stand at All
bonito, thirty-ive miles from here
where 1000 or 1900 Spanish regulars
are supposed to be entrenched. The
present prospect is that there will be
no actual lighting for several days.
WILL KILL THEIR OWN.
Ponce, Aug. 3.-via Kingston, j Jamica
The Spaniards are reported to be ad-
vancing, though it is not generally be-
lieved La addition to the regular for
tifications at Aitonito, on the road to
San Juan, it is reported that the enemy
mined the cliffs, preparatory to block,
ing the road, if obliged to retire. San
Martin, the Spanish commander here,
who evacuated this place without or
ders, is a prisoner at San Juan. He
will be tried for cowardice and proba-
bly, be executed.
TO TURN ENEMY's FLANK.
PONCE, Aug. 2, (Evening), via st.
Thomas. The plan of campaign is not
fully determined upon, but the natural
strength of the Spanish position at
Aibonito, and the character of the de-
fensiye works erected there necessl-
tate q flank movement. The turning
of the defenses was inaugarated today
when General Brooke landed 5000 men
at Arroyo, sixty miles east of here
From there he can strike the military
road leading TO San Juan at Cayey, be-
yond Aibonito. This will compel the
Spanish commander, General Otega,
who has great reputation, to abandon
his stronghold or be caught between
to fires. 1t is possible that a second
column may move on his left flank also,
in which case the present advance on
his front will be shown to be only a
feint. General Stone is making a
dashing reconnaissance north in the
direction of Arreibo Arcibo. Stone
met with the most enthusiastic wel>
come from the natives of the villages
and towns through which he passed.
Women and children strewed
THE STREETS WITH FLOWERS,
and as he passed, the houses and town
hall flew home made American flags.
Behind him moves Company f, Second
Wisconsin regiment, under Lieut.. Bo-
dimes. The enemy numbering about
400 preceded him. The enemy has for
hours been in full retreat. Our ad-
vance has not been extended beyond
Juan Dias, though accommodating par
ties have touched Coamo. General
Garretson's brigade and batteries are
camped just beyond Ponce. The gen.
eral advance will not be ordered until
all of Genl. Miles plans are perfected ;
but when the advance is begun it will
be very rapid. The fleet will lombard
San Juan and make other diversions to
keep the enemy busy at every point
There are constant alarms at the out
posts, but there has been no fighting
yet.
OUR FORCES STOPPED.
Ponce, Puerto Rico, Aug. 2.-via st
Thomas-General Stone, while recon-
noitering northwards, along the roaC
leading to Arecibo. on the north coast
with a company of the Second Wiscon
sin Regiment, encountered opposition
at Jtuado. where small force o.
Spanish regulars and volunteers hat
been instructed by Captain Genera
Macias to resist to the bitter end. Th'
Spaniards refused to osurrender,and Gen
eral Stone telephoned to Adjuntas tina
he would push on, aided by force o.
natives, armed with machetes. Before
the messengers left Adjuntas, where
twelve men had been left, the Spanisl
force was reported to be between Gen
rral Stone and Adjuntas, picketed 0l
the trail between Adjuntas and Utuado
On the heart of the mountains. As tn
troops have to move in single file, tel
men can stop regiment. Stones mes
senger rode all night.
TRANSPORTS AGROUND.
poseE. Aug. g. via st. Thomas.
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