The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1898-08-15

way from Ponce to san Juan-a distance
of eebty-tive miles-ten abreast ana not
puncture a tire or take a header. The dtt-
ference between the narrow, mul-Hlicd and
almost impossible trails of eastern Cuba
and the broad, well-keDt thoroughfares
here illustrates the difference at present
existing between that War-desolated coun-
try and this gem of an island. 1t was CO.
lumbus, / think, who stopping to take
glimpse Of Porto Rice on one OF hi. voy-
ages, reported to Ferdinand and Isabella
that this is the fairest land that eye
hath ever seen or sun shown upon ana
no one has ever disputed his report But
of Porto Rico in this respect We must
write later.
General Stone was commissioned also to
take possession of the newly constructed
railway line which runs from Yauco 10
Ponce, and this he did with no opposition
The retreating Spanish line had made an
effort to destroy the road, bat had sue
ceeded only in derailing two locomotives
and burning half a dozen fat cars. There
were some uneXploded mines found later
under a couple of culverts. but in their
haste to get out Of the way of the Ameri-
cans the Spaniards did not find time to eX-
plode them. In a little while the general
had induced the regular employees Of the
road to get steam up and he took, iii an
ordinary passenger coach, detail Of men
to accompany him on the run TO Ponce,
distance by tail of about twenty miles.
The journey was SLOW but uneNenttuI
one and it was late in the evening when
the general and his men reached the little
station al Ponce. They formed in liue'
MARCHED to General Miless headquarters
in the Hotel Frances AND reported.
Us your railroad in the trust" asked
Niles, smiling.
Il took ii on-those conditions.' said
Stone. ALREADY a Chicago newspaper man
has applied for an annual pass
Arrival of the Artillery.
Word OF the safe arrival Of the expedition
was wired back to General Henry at yam
co, but he had not waited for II ana was
even then marching briskiy along the
smooth roads toward Ponce, favored by
almost ideal weather. The alternate fierce
heat and drenching rams of Cuba give
place in Porto Rico to a cool, even, balmy
climate that, strange as it may seem. re
minds one much more Of the mountains OIL
North Carolina than Of the tropics, Henry 5
men had q glorious march and when the
front of the long line came INFO town today
they were given reception Wlich for
sheer enthusiasm ecipStd any thluS / nave
ever seen. General Miles was in the Hotel
Frances when he was notified that the d-
vision had arrived from GuaniCa and that
II would pass the hotel on its way to the
front in order that he could review 1t.
Broad balcony circles the second floor OF
the building and we all went up to it on
the generals invitation, standing uncovered
at the rail The streets were what a novel
list would describe a seething mass Of
people and in the public squares below,
bounded on three sides by shops and cafes
and on tine fourth by the dun yellow walls
Of the cathedral was a great jam, in which
native policemen. American soldiers. sml-
ing, blaCh-eyed senorttas. children. marines
from the American warships. Jew peddlers,
staid matrons local merchants. Ponce
dandies, nurse girls. f1remen, Spanish vol
unteers and colored servants were mex
tricably mixed.
Far down the streets a sharp shout of
warning went up and the catter of horses
hoofs and thunder of heavy wheels were
heard. The people packed closer into the
square and on the Sidewalks, leaving a
clear pavement, ard through this opening
q light artillery gun and its accompanying
ca!sson passed, the horses on a gallop the
men shouting and the whips cracking. Then
came another, and another, and another,
sintn half Of the twenty-eight had gone
bv 1t was a sight to set the already in
famed Porto Ricans fire and as the
heavy machines roared and rumbIcd to the
accompaniment of cashing boots and
iins}inC harness the crowd went fairly
delirious, shouting, crying, hugging each
other dancing and doing all sorts of RI
dicuous things-ridiculou at least in the
ewes of those who had seen American bat
teries before and knew the hurricane tricks
of the drivers I saw a young woman with
a baby in her arms and tears rolling down
her cheeks watch the procession as If