The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-21
THE SPANIARDS
ARE EVACUATING.
They Began Yesterday to Leave the
Outlying Districts of San Juan.
Peace Commissioners Meet.

SAN JUAN. PORTO RICO. Sept. 90
The evacuation Of the outlying pos lions
occupied by the Spanlards began to-day.
Aeuadilla. san Sebastian and Lares We're
abandoned by them and The troops of
General Garrettson's brigade and the
Eleventh Infantry moved I'm and h0isted
tho American flag. The Spanish troops
from tho abandoned positions are being
concentrated at ArecciD0, from whence
they will reach San Juan by railroad as
soon as transportation Is available. They
could not enter The city before owing 10
It's crowded condition.
SPANISH CONTROL LIMITED.
Or Wednesday the Spaniards will cvac-
uate the ISLAND Of Vicques. where COM
pany OF American troops dispatched from
General Grants brigade has already been
landed. Tho Spanish troops from the
island Of ViequCs will remain at Humacao
until the Spaniards fan back on the line
Of the military road. Spanish control is
now confined 10 within a line drawn from
Humacao 20 Abonito and rom there 10
Areccibo. less than ono-,hird Of the ISL
and
The Spanish evacuation commissioners
at the meeting of the Spanish and Amer
lean commissioners to-day officially I'M
formed the Americans that they had been
notified Of the sailing from Spain of TWO
transports intended TO embark troops
here and also that four hundred Spanish
soldiers will sail from here tomorrow on
a transport which is expected from cuba.
The departing troops consist Of TWO hum
drod sick men and two hundred members
OF the engineers regiment
The meeting Of the commissioners was
entirely without friction. and 10 was ow-
Ing to the good feeling prevailing between
our soldiers and those OF Spain that IL
was decided 10 allow the company OF
Americans 10 land at the island OF Vie
qucs before the Spaniards left.
NEUTRAL ZONE OBLlTERATED.
II was decided to-day. in the interest
Of the order OF The Island to allow Amer
leans TO enter the Spanish lines and vice
versa IN pursuit of marauders. This oblit-
crates the neutral zone.
In spite OF the fact that some Of them
have been disllusioned the influx OF
American spectators continues Most Of
them are at Ponce and unable TO reach
san Juan. owing 70 the military regula-
tions. An agent OF the American sugar
refinery IS here and many others are
seeking business opportunities, franchises
ana concessions. all OF them are fretting
over the unavoidable delays.
Almost TWO thousand men have report
ed sick General Brooke Is doing all in
his power 20 improve the condition Of the
soldiers and afford them every comfort
possible. He h. ordered every military
tent on the island 10 be htted with hoor-
ing
FINANc1ERs CONFER.
Messrs. Luce and Dumaresq. the fiscal
agents OF the Government. who have es-
fablsfcd the Bark OF Ponce here. are
consulting with Ma1or-Gcneral Brooke
relative % TIE currency situation. They
rsoort that business Is at 4 stands,ill
owing 10 the fluctuations of the local cur
rency just al the time the planters need
money for their crops.
General Brooke u investigating the
mater thoroughly with the View of TAX
ing action when our sovereignty over the
leland & complete. The fiscal agents
also eay that many Of the spe"ulators
- =, .cr,<ed 10 Ponce are returning 70 the
i.ni,ed states disillusioned and convinced
thai ths island Is not an FL Dorado.