Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1898-08-04
PORTO RICANS HAPPY
GREAT DEMONSTRATION OVER
ARRIVAL OF U. S. TROOPS.
General Miles Issued Procla m q tion Inviting
tho People TO Accept tho Military
Government, Promising
Increased Liberty.

Port OF Ponce, July 2o.-The port OF
Ponce surrendered to Commander C. II.
Davis of the auxiliary gunboat Dixie.
There was no resistance, and the Ameri-
cans were welcomed with enthusiasm.
Major General Miles arrived at day-
light with General Ernest's brigade
and General Wilson's division on board
transports. General Ernest's brigade
Immediately started for the town of
Ponce, three miles inland, which capit-
ulated.
The American troops are pushing to-
wards the mountains. and will join
General Henry with his brigade at
Yauco, which has been captured by our
troops.
fight before the latter place was
won by the American volunteers. The
Spaniards ambushed eight companies
of the Sixth Massachusetts and Sixth
Illinois regiments, but the enemy was
repulsed and driven back mile to the
ridge, where the Spanish cavalry
charged and were routed by our in
fantry. General Garretson led the
fight with the men from Illinois and
Massachusetts,, and the enemy retreated
to Yauco, leaving four dead on the field
and several wounded None of our
men were killed, and only three were
slightly wounded
Notwithstanding the resistance at
Guanica and Yauco it is thought that
there will be no determined resist
anee as the Madrid government does
not care to imperil peace negotiations
The Porto Ricans are glad the Ameri-
can troops have landed, and say they
are all Porto Ricans and will join our
army. The roads are good for military
purposes. Our troops are healthy, and
General Miles says the campaign will
be short and vigorous.
MILES PROCLAMATION
General Miles has issued the follow
ing proclamation:
I'm the prosecution of the war
against the kingdom of Snain by the
people OF the United tat IS in T. e
cause of liberty, justice and humanity,
Its military forces have come to occupy
the island of Porto Rico. They come
bearing the banners of freedom, in
spircd by noble purpose, TO seek the
enemies of our government and of
yours, and to destroy or capture all in
armed resistance. They bring you the
fostering arms of free people, whose
greatest power is justice and humanity
to all living within their fold Hence,
they release you from your former po-
litical relations, and il is hoped, this
will be followed by your cheerful ac-
ceptance of the United States
The chief object of the American
military forces will be to overthrow
the authority Of Spain, and give the
people of your beautiful island the
largest measure of liberty consistent
with this military occupation. They
have not come to make war on the
people of the country, who, for centu-
ries, have been oppressed, but, on the
contrary, they come to protect not only
yourselves, but your property, promote
your prosperity and bestow the immu-
mites and blessings of our enlightened
and liberal institutions and govern
ment. 1t is not the purpose to inter
fere with the existing laws and GUS
toms which are wholesome and benefic-
ial to the people, so long as they con-
form to the rules of the military ad.
ministration, order and justice.