The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-16

ohcer wTrh Old Glory, exc, remaining
however. al the door of the building
The consular and other officers entered
the building. They were there received
by the captain of the port, who. by tbs
by, was dressed in a soiled white drilled
suit, without any insignia to denote nj;
| rank.
1.-The German vice consul, Mr.. H. c
Fritze Joined his colleagues of England
and the Netherlands in their good offices
in the matter. together with the American
merchant, Mr.. Lucas Naldiviese- Said
consuls began to work TO bring about
the surrender of the town (Which had
been demanded at discreton) in their de-
sire to avoid bloodshed and damage 10 the
| town, as the Spanish forces were instg-
| nifcant, as compared with those OF the
United States, and besides. the Spaniards
having no defensive works or artillery TO
answer the fire of the fleet.
AT about 10 D. m. it was rurnored that
an armistice had been arranged in virtue
Of which the Spanish troops would evac-
uate the town, and that the American
| troops would not land within a stipulated
| time, to allow the former forces TO get
well on their way to Aibonito.
1T was reported that this arrangement
was firm, and the people began to treat
more freely about the peaceful solution
of the conflict But, unluckily, their joy
was Of short duration. as, at about l a.
m, it began to be noised about that the
governor general had deposed the mill
| tary commander, Sanrnartin, ordering
him to give up the Command 10 the lieu
tenant-coloneI of the civil guards, in
structing the latter to offer resistance to
the invading forces.
ION this becoming known the alarm
was great among all classes, and the
exodus tot he neighboring country, which
had already begun in the afternoon and
evening, was immense, approaching to
nearly a panic.
But the vice consuls continued their la
bors to obtain that the armisdce arranged
with Colonu Sanmartin by them should
be respected and kept in good faith, and
the representa- tives of England and Ger
many protested against it's being broken,
and brought to bear on the negotiations
all the weight tina their nations represen.
Inc OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES VI lIlS Civil
guard on his part, seeing the impossible
ity of resistance to the powerful eet of the
enemy, which had been reinforced by
several ships more, with the means that
he had at his disposal, decided at length
to evacuate the town., retiring, with all
his forces, by the road leading to the in
terror of the island. AS soon as this de-
cision was arrived at. the retreat began.
but not before attempting to set fire to
the railroad station in which they only
succeeded in burning a few cars.
But eve natter the retreat there was
anxiety among the inhabitants, as it was
reported that the powder magazine of the
barracks would be blown up before the
Spaniards left the town definitely. We
are happy to say that this did not happen.
The town was left in charge of the local
fire brigade. who undertook the duty Of
keeping order but their services were not
called upon that night nor have ben since.
Ponce gave proof of its good sense as
usual.
'At daybreak the next morning half a
dozen men of the American forces hoist
ed the stars and stripes on the custom
house, together with the headquarters
flag Oft he commander-in-chief. Later
the flag was unfurled over the city hall.
The landing of the troops began, and
they were distributed about in accordance
with instructions of the American COM
manders. The people welcomed the
American forces as Hberators and friends
and with the greatest demonstrations of
JOY and happiness.
The commander Of the expeditionary
forces decided that the municipal and tu-
dicial authorities should remain at their
posts. as well as the local police and the
employees of the custom house, which
latter is in charge of Colonel Hill. ap-
pointed inspector of port and customs.
The American troops have entered this
town with the greatest order, and are
fraternizing with the people. Said troops
later relieved tehe firemen at guard duty,
at the city prison, and other places. The
political prisoners have been set at liber-
~, and among them are our friends
Messrs. Santiago Geraldine. Rudolfo FL
gueros, Jose Husrio Roche. and others.
We heartily congratulate them all. The
inhabitants that have gone into the coun-
try have gradually begun to return 70
town.
AT the town hall there took place an
incident worthy Of mention. Mr.. FL
gueros, who had been just set free. went
up to the sessions hall, and. unslinging
the portrait Of the queen regent. win
the king and the crown. which overtopped
them, and attempting to throw them over
the balcony. saying: There go the
remnants Of Spanish domination But
an American Officer. who was present
interfered in a friendly way. requesting
that said picture and crown should be
OF the occasion. which request was i'm
mediately granted"
There has ben conflicting dispatches
sent 70 the state departments about the
capttUlation. Captain Davis % he Dixie
claims hat he capItula,ion was made %
him. and he gives 10 cred.d 20 the Wasp
o. % General Miles AS a matter Of fact.
authenticate sinCs my cable dispatches.
the Dixie was stuck IN the mud outside
The harbo- when the Wasp sent ashore
the flag % truce On lis re-ura Captain
Davis, beng the ranking of5cer o. the
three vessels. demanded WHY the Wasp
had taken i upon herself n negotiate
,he city's surrender we acre frs n
,he haroo-." vas tae response AID ve
50 " your plight But. oGeogrss- wha; Es
did vas done n your name" Thereupoa
Il great hurry, lest TIE army T-ita So
pertor officers would arrive Cag.caia Davis
took up ne Negotiations. ard a; 10 taA
aigh- ne has sad. had arranged ard re-
ce.ve6 an acceptance 81 terms - sarrez-