The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-08-04
WAR Me- US.
What Has T1anspired on Cuban Soil
Within a Week.
PONCE sURRENDERs AND PEACE AC-
CEPTED.

Last Wednesday the city OF Pouce,
Porto Rico, surrendered to Comman-
der Dayis, OF the Dixie. Besides his
own ship, Davis was accompanied by
the Wasp and the Gloucester. The
city made no resistance, but surren-
dered to avoid a bombardment. In
| the terms OF surrender, the civil au-
thorities were retained in Office, and
the Spanish garrison allowed to retire.
| When Gen. Miles arrived Thursday
morning he found everything ready
for landing. Ernest's brigade occu-
pied tie city. On taking possession
of the city, Miles Issued the following
proclamation to the people of Ponce
and to the Porto Ricons generally:
''In the prosecution of the war
against the Kingdom OF Spain by the
people of the United States, in the
cause of liberty, justice and humanity,
its military forces have come to occupy
the island of Porto Rico. They come
bearing banners of freedom, inspired
by the noble purpose TO seek the en-
emies of our government and Of yours,
to destroy or capture all in armed re-
sistance.
"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 political rela-
tions and, it is hoped for cheerful ac-
ceptance of the government OF the
United States.
"The chief object of American mil
itary forces will be to overthrow the
armed authority of Spain and give the
people Of your beautiful island the
largest measure of liberty consistent
with the military occupation.
"They have not come to make war
on the people Of the country, who for
centuries have been oppressed. But,
on the contrary, they bring protection,
not only to yourselves, but to your
property, promote your prosperity and
bestow the immunities and blessings
of our enlightened and liberal lnstitu-
tons and government.
cit is not their purpose to interfere
with existing laws and customs which
are wholesome and beneficial to the
people, SO long as they conform to the
rule Of military administration, order
and justice
This is not war OF devastation and
desolation, but one to give all within
the control of military and naval forces
the advantages and blessings of en-
lightened civilization"
The Porto Ricons seem glad to
come under the protection of the
"Stars and stripes They we're wild
with enthusiasm when the Americans
entered their city. Even women and
children manifested their JOY by the
most lively demonstrations.
REPLY TO SPAIN
The President has handed his reply
to- SPANS proposal tor peace nego-
tiations to M. Cambon, the French
Ambassador. In substance, the terms
to be granted Spain are as follows:
"Withdrawal of all her troops from
the Western Hemisphere. Manila
with the surrounding county and the
, Ladrones to oe left to the future dis.
position of the United States"
Is is thought that Spain will not &C.
cede to these terms, as by them she
would lose her most important col.
onies.
PEACE TERMS ACCEPTED.
A special cable from Madrid to the
New York Evening Journal August
End said
|
tons OF peace as set forth by the
American Government, and only the
, peace details are needed to cause all
hostilities to cease at once.
"a peace delegation will be chosen
at once to confer with the representa-
tlves of the United States. The peace
conditions set forth by President Nc
Kinley were discussed at length to-day
by Minister Sagasta, and at the con-
clusion it was given out officially that
, the terms of the United States would
be. accepted. There are one or two
amendments in the proposition Of the
United States that Spain will ask to be
made, and if this is done peace will be
declared at once"
ENFIELD JOTTINGS.