Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-04
WALKED ON FLOWERS
Inhabitants of Puerto Rican Towns
Hailed American Soldiers with
Great Enthusiasm.
SPANISH FORCES FLANKED
General Advance on San Juan Will Not
Begin Until All Plans Are Perfected
spaniards Will Give Fight
at Arbonito.

Ponce, Puerto Rico, Aug. ,, via st
Thomas.-Genera Roy Stone, while re
connoitering nOrthward along the roat
| leading to AreciEo, on the north coast
with a company of the End Wisconsin
regiment, encountered opposition al
UtuadO. where a small force of Spanisl
regulars and volunteers had been in
structed by Captain General Micias tC
resist to the bitter end The Spaniards
refused to surrender and General Stone
telephoned to Ad djuntas that he would
push on. aided by a force of natives
armed with machetes, before the mes
sengers left Adjuntas where IL men had
been left by the Spanish force reported
to be between General Stone and Ad-
juntas. picketed on the trail between
Adiuntas and Utuado. in the heart of
the mountains. As the troops have to
move in single file, ten men can stop a
regiment General Stones messengers
rode all night.
The plan Of campaign is not fully
determined upon. but the natural
strength of the Spanish position at Aibo
nlto and the character OF the defensive
works erected there. necessitates a
flank movement. The turning move
ment was naugurated today when Gen
eral Brooke landed 5000 men at Arroya,
60 miles east of here. From there he
can strike the military road leading to
San Juan at Cayey, beyond Aibonito.
This will compel the Spanish COM
mander, General Otega, who has a great
reputation, to abandon his stronghold,
or be caught between two fires.
1t is possible the second column may
move on his left flank also. in which
case the present advance on his front
will be shown to be only a fcint Gen
eral Stone is making dashing recon-
nossance north. in the direction of Ar
ribo Arcbo. General Stone met with
Il most enthusiastic welcome from the
natives of the villages and towns through
which he passed. Women and children
Strewed the streets with flowers. and as
he passed the houses and town halls,
they flew homemade American flags.
Behind him moves Company f. of the
9nd Wisconsin. under Lieutenant Bod
inc. The enemy, numbering about 1000,
preceded him. The enemy has for hours
been in full retreat. Our advance has
not been extended beyond Juan Dias, al
though accommodating parties have
touched Coamo General Garrettson's
brigade and batteries are camped Just
bevnnd Ponce. Z, general advance will
not be ordered until all of General Miles
plans are perfected. but when the ad-
vance is begun il will be very rapid.
n ~, .,,,J Co q, n Ip,n lro
other diversions to keep the enemy busy
at every point. There are constant
alarms at the outposts, but there has
been no fighting yet.
VIII Wait For Enforcement.
Puerto Rico, Aug. 4.--So far as known.
no further forward moment will be
made by the American troops, until the
arrival of more transports, which are
expected hourly. The Spaniards are
expected to make their first stand at
Aibonito, 35 miles from here, where two
or three thousand Spanish regulars are
believed to be entrenched. The present
prospect is that there will be no actual
lighting for several days.
Spaniards Reported to BE Advancing.
Ponce, Aug. 3, Via hlngstoh. Ja-
maica.-The Spaniards are reported to
be advancing. although it is not gener-
ally believed. In addition to the regu-
lar Notifications at Aibonito on the road
to San Juan, it is reported the enemy
has mined the cliffs, preparatory to
blocking the road if obliged to retire.
General st. Martin, the Spanish COM
mandor here who evacuated this place
without orders, is prisoner at San Juan.
He will be tried for cowardice and will
probably be executed.