Evening star., 1898-10-17
General Brooke Will Take Formal
Possession of Porto Rico.
TRANSFER TO Be MADE at San JUAN
Stars and Stripes to Be Raised on
Public Buildings.
PROCLAMATION TO FOLLOW

The cession of Porto Rico to the United
States will take effect tomorrow. Accord
ing to the arrangement made by Major Cen
eial Brooke, commanding the United States
forces the island, and the Spanish gov
ernor general, Gen. Brooke will take formal
POS session in the name Of the United States
gov ernm ent at noon tomorrow. The trans
fer will be made in the governm. mt build
ing at San Juan, the capital of the prov
inoe. Gen. Brooke will enter the city at
the head of his army during the forenoon
and will meet the Spanish officials in the
capitol to conclude the necessary formali-
ties. Precisely at IL o'clock the royal
standard of Spain will be lowered from
the staffs on the capitol and all other pub
lie buildings and the stars and stripes will
be displayed in it's stead.
This action in itself will be notice to the
world that Porto kico is part of the union
of states, and that the government to be
established there will be maintained and
protected by the tull strength of the mill
tary and naval forces of the United States.
The raising of The American flag Will be
followed by the issue OF a proclamation by
General Brooke announcing the change in
the government of the island, remlnUlns the
inhabitants that quiet and complete ac-
qulescence in the new order of tnIngs VIII
be expected and assuring them that they
Will be fully protected in all their civil and
religious rights under the Constitution of
the United States.
The Government of the Island.
General Brooke has plenary powers in
Porto Rico and will have sole charge of the
government of the island until some per
manent arrangement Is made. 1t is proba-
bic that when the President returns he will
designate a military governor of the is
land to act in that capacity until Congress
can provide for a territorial civil govern
ment. No instructions have been sent to
General Brooke regarding his duties after
the island formerly passes over to the
United States ana all Spanish authority Is
withdrawn. General Brooke has copies of
the proclamations of the President regard
ing the Hanasen ent OF Porto ttican affairs.
which will be the same that of ports and
territory OF Cuba in possession of the
United States.
The tariff rates in Porto Rico have al
ready been proclaimed, and in the southern
portion of the Island have been in opera
tlon. They viii now extend to San Juan
and other ports which have not been tech
nically in possession of the United States.
Gen. Brooke, it is understood intends to
return to the United States as soon as the
affairs of the island become more settled
but probably before that time a military
governor VIII be named, as was done at
Santiago.
New York Troops Arrive.
The following dispatch was received at
the War Department last evening:
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, October 16 '9S
Adjutant General. Washington:
The 47th New York arrived at San Juan
pm. yesterday. EDDY, Colonel.
1t is presumed by the War Department
ofic1als, tnasmuch nothing is said to the
contrary, that the regiment was permitted
10 land at San Juan. 1t was feared that
obJect ction might be raised by the Spanish
ofhcials to the landing of the regiment at
San Juan before formal possession was
yielded TO the American forces on the 18th
instant. The 41th New York has the honor
or being the first American organiZa ton to
enter the capital of Porto Rico
Gen. Brooke Is making arrangements for
the accommodation Of the American forces
to be stationed at San Juan. The barracks
formerly occupied by the Spanish soldiers
were round to be totally unfit for occu-
pancy by the United States troops Gen
brooke Is having them remodeled, adding
officers quarters and otherwise placing
them in habitable condition.
Spanish Evacuation.
The following dispatch was received by
Secretary Alger from General Brooke:
SAN JUAN. Porto Rico, October 10, 1898.
Secretary Of War. Washington.
A Spanish transport sails today with 500
men. This is a ship sent from Cuba loaded
With men from there. Another sails to-
morrow with General Macias and 100 'nen
Another ship Is expected here on the 17th.
compete possession Will be accomplished
on the 18th. BROOKE. Chairman.
Supplementing the above dispatch, anoth-
er was received last night by Secretary
Alger, reading as follows.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. October 16, 1898.
Secretary of War, Washington.
Captain General Macias sailed for Spain
this morning with most Of his staff.
BROOKE. Chairman.
By tomorrow most of the Spanish officials
and troops will have departed for Spain
Those remaining at that time will leave as
soon as transports can be secured