The herald., 1898-10-05

) can authorities at Ponce. and others, It 4
said, from Hayti, with their headquarter
in the heart Of the mountains, pillaged an,
ravaged the country during the interreg
mum. There were also disturbances a
Fajardo. when the Spanish troops left.
Some Of the rich sugar planters had beel
driven out after the small force Of marinei
landed there had been withdrawn, ant
upon their return after the Spanish civi
guard retired the natives set upon ths
Spanish residents. General Macias wal
compelled to send the guard back in order
to protect them.
But. all things considered, II is remark.
able that more disorders did not occur and
more lives were not sacrificed. Undoubted-
ly every precaution was taken as soon as
the commissioners had arrived at the main
conclusion to reduce the danger OF dis
order to a minimum. The neutral zone
between the lines was wiped out and our
soldiers and the Spanards were permit
ted. while in pursuit of the depredators.
to enter each others lines. This was the
first STEP
1t was then arranged that wherever the
Spaniards. in their concentrating move
ment evacuated a town or position. the
lines should overlap. That Is. that our
troops should enter the town shortly be-
fore the Spanish retired. There was no
hiatus and no oppor; unity given to the
lawless element. Whenever our troops en-
tered a town or position by the arrange
ment of the commissioners. the command
Ing officer of the Spaniards delivered an
inventory Of all the Spanish military and
government property to the commanding
officer and took the latter's receipt This
inventory is to be turned over to the United
States authorities. This plan obviates the
necessity of sending q commissioner over
the island to inventory government prop
erty.
Stories of Natives
Ever since the American commissioners
arrived at San Juan, the native Po-to R.c-
ans have deluged them with stories of al
legged Spanish cruelty'and their attempt to
carry off plunder which properly belongs
to the island Some Of these reports were
Investigated and found to be baseless, and
the commissioners continued to assume
that the Spaniards were proceeding in per-
feet good faith although they had their
own means of ascertainiog exactly what
was going on.
One of the alleged reports the Porto Ric-
ans were especially exercised over was
that the Spanards proposed to take with
them to Spain some s4OO 900 from the vaults
of the Banco Espanol and various trust
funds which 1t was claimed properly be-
longed to the people OF the island. The
commissioners thought It was time enough
to consider these matters when the alleged
trust funds were taken. The Porto Ricans
also affirmed that fine paintings and other
treasures were being removed from the
palace and various other public buildings
and as these works of art had been paid
for by taxes collected in the islard, the
commissioners should see that they re-
mained. 1t is doubtless true that some Of
the most valuable art treasures in the is
land were removed, but our commissioners
decided to raise no objections. To have
protested would have created probably
more trouble than the articles removed
were worth and besides. something of this
sort was to he expected.
That the Spanish were acting in good
faith was proved afterward when. at Aqua
lila. they turned over to the American Of /
fcers over $4,000 in customs revenue |
which they could have made away with
had they been. so disposed. The American |
commissioners laid down the general prop
osition that the Spaniards could remove |
al their personal and private effects. state |
papers and everything belonging to the mill
tary establishment that was movable. To !
his the Spaniards assented and this is the /
general theory upon which the evacuation
s taking place.
The Only Collision
The only collision thus far has bten in
connection with some six-inch siege guns
On carriages. When the first regiment of |
roops were embarked on the San Fran
,isco last Thursday. four of these guns
we're taken to- the wharf ready for ship
nent Our commissioners protested on
he ground that although these guns were
movable from place TO place when In ac-
ion, thsy were located in embrasures and
must be defended. In other words, they
we're not movable with fighting line. At
er some discussion the Spanish commits
ioners agreed to this definition of a NOV
able gun which confined it strictly to field |
lrtillery pieces.
A great deal of the old plunder about the
military barracks and arsenals and equip
nents of volunteers ard civil guards. |
which have been disbanded. is being sold |
or what they will bring. The money re-
ulting from this sale the Spanish author
ties will. Of course, take back to Spain.
\ couple Of Americans are buying much |
# this material for mere song and the
american people will doubtless In time
,ave an opportunity to glut It's appetite |
or military souvenirs of the Spanish army |
II Porto Rico.
1t Is Impossible to tell exactly when the !
asst of the Spanish troops will depart Two |
transports are due in a week and the in J
ications are that in less than three weeks |
II most. General Macas will relinquish |
control Of the last foot of territory A |
lifting celebration is being arranged for
ne occasion Of the flag-raising at San |
Tuan Both the naval and military forces
will participate. In case General Macias
will accept, II Is probable that dinner or
eception will be given in his honor by the
american commissioners.
Shipping the Soldiers
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. Oct 3-(De-
ayed in transmission) The transport P.
lie Satrustegui arrived here yesterday from
;pai, and is taking on board troops today.
She will sail tomorrow.
The transport Isla de Panay sailed for
Spain today with 1900 troops on board.
1t is rumored that Captain-General Ma
las will leave here on the Alcalde, which
S expected daily at this port from Havana
The United States hospital ship Solace
With 55 convalescents or board, sails for
New York today and the Mayfower will |
10 off hn tc d,,e. to ~, in,