The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-18

and All FOrmalfties Were OBJ
served-Exchange of Visits BE-
tween American and Spanish
Representatives Not Yet Conn
pIeted.
SAN JUAN, Sept. 17.-Maj. Gen.
Brooke and Admiral Schley, as the
highest military and naval officers, on
the afternoon of their arrival, proceed
ed to the palace, accompanied by their
respective STATS, and paid their re-
spects to the captain general, who is
a lieutenant general in the Spanish
army. The party were driven to the
palace between lines OF people from
wall to curb.
The interview took place in the grand
salon of the palace, under a massive
gold-framed portrait of the queen re-
gent, and the youth for the protection
OF whose crown this war, so disastrous
TO Spain, had been Waged. The call
lasted scarcely 10 minutes, most of the
time being occupied in introductions.
Admiral Schley, who speaks Spanish
nGently, engaged the captain genral
In conversation after the introductions
were complete, and the principals had
seeted themselves with the members
OF their staffs ranged behind them.
Gen. Brooke spoke through the official
interpreter, Notwithstanding the suspi-
cIon that he is a Spanish scholar Of no
mean ability.
The Spanish uniforms are much more
snowy than ours. The captain gen.
eral was arrayed in a dark blue coat,
Respondent with gold braid and spark
hing with orders and insignia of rank.
Z
lShed gentleman, of kindly cOunten-
ance, in a most trying position, he
placed every one at his ease by the
grace and SuaVity with which he greet
ed those who practically came as con-
querers to claim prize won.
The captain general with his staff,
rode today to the Hotel Ingleterra, at
which Admiral Schley is stopping, and
returned the admiraPs visit. Later he
called upon Gen. Brooke at Rio Pied
raS. This does not complete the list Of
official visits. The Spanish commits
sioners must call upon the American
commissioners, and the latter must re-
turn the visit before the first prelimin-
aries of the work on hand can be en-
tered upon.
Pending our assumption Of possess
sion here the daily progress Of this
Mighty interesting old Spanish town
goes droning on. Every one appre-
clates the fact that the curtain is about
10 rise upon new era, but nothing
yet is changed. Gen. Otego, who is in
active command of the Spanish troops.
makes his daily tour Of inspection of
the forts, batteries and barracks, as
II Spain was to continue in control for
ever The military band plays three
times a week in the Plaza de Alfonso
AI1., While the promenaders and the
people In the cafes idly discuss what
Will happen when the Americans as
sumo control, and especially whether
an American military band will be pro-
Vlded Tor them. The sentrieS at the
forts still decline to allow Americans
or others entrance, just as they have
Tor years. Even the censorship of the
cable is still vigorously enforced, and
American correspondents must take all
their dispatches to the palace, where
they must receive the Endorsement of
the secretary of the captain general
before they will be accepted by the
cable company.
JACKIES SHOOT WE'LL.
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS lombard
ment OF San Juan in the first week of
the war, although it dismounted no
guns at MORO castle, against which
the principal fire was directed, killed
and wounded less than fifty people,
bears testimony to the remarkable
gunnery of our jackies. The MORO
and the buildings on the high ground
In Its rear and the high scarp which is
pullt up from the rear, was simply rid
died. Great craters are blown out in
places by the twelve and thirteen-inch
shells, and the walls are pitted with
the hail of small shell. One entire
building was blown to pieces, and, in
fact, many Of the shells were lodged in
Inc IN escarpments and embrasures.
There were very few modern guns
either in MORO or the more pretentious
fortlhcation known as SebastopoI
Few Krupps comprised their equipment.
the remainder being muzzle-loaders of
ancient patterns, most of the latter
mounted over parapets of masonry.
In fact, the defense Of the town lacks
every theory Of modern military sci
ence. They might have been consid-
cred 1mpregnable years ago, but TODAY
they are not even formidable. And vet
In what could be considered a desperate
fashion, If 1t were not so manifestly
hopeless, Capt. Gen. Macias had pre-
pared to make a show Of resistance
even after his whole army had been
driven back into the capital. The two
prldges over which one must pass to
reach the city, which Is situated upon
rocky Island, had been mined, and
PROBABLY would have been blown nm
Macias would have left himself and
4OO0O people starving on a rock in the
sea.
The water of San Juan comes from
Rlo Pedro, eight miles away. If the
main were cut the city would not have
a drop OF water, save such as could be
caught on the roofs.