The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-17

with The exception OF = few Of the rich,
thev seem 10 care little about the irde-
nendsnce of the Island The other revo-
lutionists. ambitious for political power
inquired anxiously II we would resa5r
posse ssion OF the island ana snouteo
enthusiastically for t'free Porto Rico"
but the great majority cares but little
for independence. perfectly satisfied
with the conviction that We have come
to drive out the Spaniards.
The writer accompanied q reconnoit-
cring expedition under General stone
into the mountains north of Ponce. 1t
was remarkable In more ways than one.
General Miles had ascertained that the
enemy's position at Abonito was almost
impregnable. and he had decided TO turn
the left flank OF the Spanish position by
landing Brooke's forces at Arroyo and
thence moving his column TO Cayey, In
the rear OF the Spanish position at Aoon-
ito. The advisabllity of movement by
our left flank was also discussed. This
could be done IL the road across the
mountains to Arecibo, on the north
coast was passable. The reports were
that there was fine carriage road from
Utuado TO Arecibo. The only question
was as 10 the character OF the road as
far as the former point General Stone
volunteered TO make the reconnaissance.
He took with him several men OF the
signal corps. four newspaper corre-
spondents In carriages, armed with
Remingtons. and a company OF the Sec
ond Wisconsin. The start was made at
noon Word OF our approach had pre-
ceded us, and as we drove in women and
children lining the streets bombarded us
with bouquets. while the men who formed
the background cheered the Americans
and cried. Down with Spain" We were
hailed as deliverers. This quaint town
up in the mountains has a picturesque
square. where the people congregated to
cheer and welcome US. They had Ameri-
can flags which they had made them
selves, and these they waved aloft.
Every citizen constituted himself a
reception committee, besieging the MEM
bers OF our party with invitations To
dinner. General Stone finally accepted
the invitation OF a rich Englishman who
had lived there "a years. His children
spoke nothing but Spanish and French.
and the old gentleman was 80 delighted
that ne could himself still speak English
that he would not take no for an answer.
IL was afraid had forgotten my native
language" said he. speaking slowly and
las IL cropping for his words. "Of course
j read English books; but no one here
speaks English. and the words sound
strange TO me. 1t is like memory Of q
former existence to hear you talk: but
oh, so pleasant to the ear thank God
an English speaking people has come
at last"
The correspondents insisted upon go.
ing to the hotel. taking with them half a
dozen natives who had been particularly
pressing In their invitations. and we had
dinner with half the town at the little
doors and windows. Our guests wanted
to drink our healths at every pause in the
conversation and several times during
each of the courses They appeared In.
tensely grieved when we declined tc
sample all the different kinds Of wine
they offered.
In this island we will possess one of the
garden spots Of the globe. Columbus
spoke truly when he said In 1893 that 1,
lwas an earthly paradise, From the
ocean. the island looks like sea OF hills
the main chain. the Cayey mountains
extending across II from east to west
Another chain. the Yuguilla mountains
runs from Cape San Juan to Arecibo
but the foot-hiIis are all laced with littls
streams running through broad savan.
nahs that would make the heart of ar
American farmer throb with pleasure
The soil Is q rich, deep loan. and the
mountain rocks are mostly limestone
Sugar plantations In the bottom lands
and cocoanut and coffee plantations or
the hills greet the eye everywhere.