The evening times., 1898-07-16
P0sIIG THE INVADERS.
intsrnatisa for the Army Going.
10 Porto Rico.
FACTS ABOUT THE ISLAND
\ War Derartsnent; Publicatien to
be Isssed to Every Of7cer OF the
Force Destined for That Region.
san Juan Is stronRly Fortified.
Rain Great OBSTACLE.


invade Porto Rico will be nut in nos
session Of all the information that tn
war department has been able to obtai
regarding that island. In addition to
military map on a large scale, correcte
up to date from the latest information
obtainable. each officer will receive
copy OF book OF seventy-fve pages
entitled Military News on Porto RI
CO." compiled by the Military Informa
tion Bureau.
The population of Porto Rico by tn
census of 1887 was sl3.ss7. of which NOR
than 100000 were negroes. The climat,
Is very moist, varying greatly accordin,
to the height above the sea level, al
on the heights of the central Cordiilers
the temperature Is healthy and agreea
BILE. The air Is SO completely saturatet
| with moisture that iron rusts very rap
idly: Even bronze artillery has to be
covered with strong varnish to protect
1t from the damp winds.
This publication shows that gain will
be the greatest obstacle that the troops
| will have to overcome In Porto Rico In
| general the rainy season commences In
august anu tnuS DtCtfnDtE. 0Outn-
| westerly winds prevail during this pe-
ricd. The rains commence. however. in
| May. During the rainy season great
tracts of land are inundated. forming cx-
| tensive lagoons the exhalations from
which give rise to several diseases. but
| nevertheless Porto Rico Is one OF the
healthiest islands In the West Indies
Hurricanes are among the worst
scourges of the country. They are ac-
companied by rain. thunder and light
ming. and sometimes by earthquakes.
Earthquakes are not infreQuent. but not
of violence or great consequence.
The entire island is hilly and mountain
Gus, the principal chain of mountains
dividing II into two parts. The entire ISL
and Is well watered with numerous riv-
ers and small streams. those on the north
coast being stocked with excellent fish.
The principal harbor is that of San
Juan. and the capture of this harbor and
the city of San Juan. which Is the capi-
tai and military stronghold of rhe island.
will be the principal object of the Ameri-
can forces. II Is on the north coast of
the island. and is the only harbor on that
coast which is safe during the violent
east and northeast winds in November.
Necember and January.
II is difficult harbor to enter on ac-
count of the narrowness of the channel.
anu LOT iHe SdIHt TtdSOu Is CdpdDlc VI
being easily defended by mines. 1t is de-
Tended by fortifications. the principal one
Of which is Moro Castle. On the right
bank Is the castle of San Juan de la Cruz.
On the CenedO ShOal. northeast of the
city, is the castle of San Cristobal, which
defends the city on the land side. Upon
the barracks of this castle is the Cabal-
lero FORT. with twenty-five guns.
Below the castle is drill ground. with
I.
land and the drawbridge of the castle.
Then follow three large ravelines-San
Carlos, occupying the top of the hill: Prin-
cipe. on the slope of Cuesta, and Princi-
pal All these fortifications are in great
part cut out of the solid rock. San Cris-
tobal Castle is connected with Morro Cas-
tie on the north by wall of modern con-
struction.
Starting from the southern part of San
Cristobal Castle and following the edge
Of the bay is line of bulwarks leading to
the fortress of Santa Catalina. the resi-
dence of the governor general. Between
MORO Castle and the north coast there
IS I'm the middle of the entrance to the bay |
a small fort called Cannelo, which by its |
position obliges vessels attempting to |
force an entrance to pass between its |
ire and that of Moro Castle.
San Juan's capture as a landing base |
would involve long and hazardous bonn |
'ardment by the American fleet 1t is
probable that landing will be made at .
'ome other point and that San Juan will
'e taken by combined land and sea opera
ions-possibiy by prolonged siege
mere are numerous small bays and inlets
m the north coast where landings could
'e made. Probably the best of these Is
4 Arrecibo. to the west of San Juan,
ut connected with that city by a railway
unning near the coast
Inc south coast abounds In bays and
larbors. the principal harbors being
'once and Guanica. Guanica would be |
n ideal place for disembarking an army
'ut for the fact that 1t has the entire
eidth ana almost the entire length of
he island between 1t and San Juan. The
ort OF Jovas, near Guayama, affords a
pacious harbor, though rather difficult
entrance from June to November, ow-
lg to the violence of the seas at the en- |
rance.
Guayama is flourfshing place of 4.5Oo
opulation and is directly cross the ISL
nd from San Juan. which is distant
'rty-two miles. Ponce. which is further
the westward. would afford a good
Indtng and has the advantage of being |
lie terminal of one of the cables. II also
as dock which could accommodate the
mailer vessels Of the feet and repair |
lips. The only fortif1cations about Ponce
re earthworks recently constructed on
lie hills north of the town and west of
where the railroad and military road 1
'uch the shore. The only ordnance
nown by the officials of the War Depart- (
ent to be in Ponce are thirty mountain
owftzers.
"A table showing the strength of the c
panish military forces In the island in /
udes general officers. officers of the
enerai stan: infantry, 214 officers. 5000
EN- cavalry, officers, 80 men; artil- q
ry. 2 officers. 100 men; engineers. II
ncers. 2oo men; civil guard, 81 officers, (
men; military police, officers. 1S7 s
en-; corps of administration. military b
stiee. medical corps, veterinary corps o
HILLARY corps and fortification guards a
tn assimflated rank as officers. Al: san. fl
Try brigade. assimilased officer. 21 s
en- and chapiains. making the total d
lhtary force in the island 1913. Late h
formation Is to the effect that this | I
rec mas been increased to about Is. .0O0 b
r, Inc enlistment Of 1900 volunteers. el
ne headquarters and staff officers are h
.ateu at san Juan. The garrison of | o.
n Juan and the forts consists of .wo Il
ttalions of three companies each ~ Of
antry. Twelfth Battalion of fortrass
'iiiery. telegraph company. section Of A
valry. Third Sanitary Brigade. ard
3 battalion of volunteers.
he island Is divided into eight Mill. ID
y departments. with these troops. TO
yamon. two battalions voinuteers. lie
ecfbo one company regulars. two bat er
ions volunteers; Aguadilla. tvo com la
lies regulars. one battalion yolunreers. WI
yaguez- one battalion regulars, two ho
taiions volunteers; Ponce, one hattal- ye
regulars. three battalions yo:un- m.
rs; Guayama, one battalion regulars DIR
battalions volunteers; Humacao two yo
1panies regulars. one battalion yohn- pc
cS and Island of Xfennas ~. -. .