The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-05
Lines of Advance in Porto Rico.

The arrival of large achievements for
Gen. MILEs's army in Porto Rico gives
assurance that when it moves forward in
force 1t will sweep everything before 1t to
San Juan, and, IL peace has not meantime
been declared, quickly carry that city.
The character of the country and the
situation Of the roads present a very inter-
esting military problem. The broad, mac
adamized road runs from Ponce through
Juan Diaz and Coamo to Aibonito, where
it strikes and crosses the central range
OF mountains, thence moves eastward to
Cayey, turns sharply north to Caguas,
then nearly due west to Aguas Buenas, d.
~rectlynorth again to Guayuubo, and finally
through Rio Piedras to San Juan. This
winding of the route is due to the need of
following the mountain gaps, and also of
connecting the chief towns on the way.
AT first 1t might appear that, with a road
so suitable for artillery and supply trains,
Gen. MILES would only need to follow it
directly; and, with his present and pro.
specttve force, there is little doubt that he
could do so successfully. But from the
nature Of the route it presents tempt
ing opportunities for defence. At Aibo-
nito, for example, there are works that
ought to be used by the Spaniards, If they
intend to resist at all, and again at Caguas
they might make a stand. Hence we are
not surprised to find strategical moves
going on which do not depend upon the
military road.
One OF these is a reconnaissance made by
Gen. STONE northwest of the headquarters
at Ponce, or at right angles with the mill.
tary road. The first point struck by him
was Adjuntas, in the mountain chain al.
! ready spoken of, about fifteen miles from
Ponce. Instead of finding the way thither
blocked by Spanish soldiers, our skirmish.
ers were welcomed at Adjuntas with the
same enthusiasm as in the coast towns.
The point of chief military interest In
this move is it's suggestion of n purpose to
push further across to the opposite coast at
Arecibo, which lies directly north of AID.
juntas, and only about twenty-lv miles be-
yond 1t. On the way is Utuado, one of the
largest cities on the island, containing, with
the district included. over 81 900 people.
From Utuado the course would be down the
Arecibo River to the port of that name.
TIL value of this move would be twofold,
first in threatening San Juan from the
west along the coast as we'll as from
the south on the military road, and next in
cutting off supplies. The capital has long
been thoroughly blockaded by our fleet,
but has been able to procure supplies over
the coast railroad which runs from Arecibo.
Even Nova Scotia vessels laden with Goldfish
and other supplies have freely used this port,
which is forty or forty five miles west of
Co.. I.n- .-l -. IT, n
among the possible landing points of our
expedition. 1t is a place of about 1900
people and the capital of a province, but it's
anchorage Is poor. being exposed to the
northerly winds, and, in addition, it can
only accommodate small vessels. 1t was
therefore dropped out of our plans,
while the navy also has hitherto given 1t
a wide berth. But to send troops thither
across the island, seizlng the railroad and
using 1t for ourselves while gradually cut
ting off the supplies carried by 1t to San
Juan from the west, would be another
matter. That would give us.a double line
of advance upon San Juan.
A second interesting manoeuvre has been
made possible by our recent occupation of
Arroyo and Guayamo, on the southeastern
coast. From Guayamo there runs a wagon
road to CHyey. Hence Gen. BRooKE's forces.
which recently landed at or near Arroyo,
by advancing north may get into the rear
of Aibonito at Cayey. That move In turn
might lead to a retreat of the Spaniards
FROM our front along the military road all
the way to Cayey and perhaps even to
Caguas.
1t is possible that, apart from the reported
need of waiting for the cavalry that lately
arrived at Ponce. in order to reconnoitre on
the various roads. Gen. MILES is expected
not TO take very great risks of bloodshed
that might be needless, since any day an
armisticc nay be declared. Yet it Is inter