The evening times., 1898-08-01

New York, Aug LA dispatch to the
Herald from Ponce. Porto Rico dated
July =, received in this city yesterday via
St. Thomas. d. w. l.. says:
The Spanish troops formerly stationed
in this part of Porto Rico. rapidly are re-
treating to the interior. leaving behind
them broad path of burning plantations
and desolated villages.
Porso Rican refugees who are coming
into Ponce in great numbers. report that
unparalleled outrages have been perpe-
lagos Of Juana, Diaz, Coamo and Ad-
juntas.
Wild with rage over the American in
vasion the Spaniards are reported to be
wreaking vengeance upon inonensive nom
comba.ants. firing their houses and mall
treating the women and children. Some
Of the acts OF brutality reported here to-
day are shocking beyond description.
The steady stream Of terror-stricken
refugees that began to pour into Ponce
last night has continued today. They are
appealing to the United States military
authorities for protection. All tell the
same stories of brutality and violence by
the retreating Spaniards.
1t seems probable that the situation is
worse at Adjuntas than at any other
point. This Is a small but important
town.twenty miles in the interior. A mes
senger who arrived this morning said
that many women had been maltreated
and killed and their bodies cremated in
the burning houses. He also reported
that the Spanish garrison at Adjuntas,
comprising two hundred men. had aban-
doned the place after twenty-four hours
OF unbridled license. ,i9
1t is Impossible to verify these reports.
but reputable merchants here profess to
know the messengers who bring the news
and declare that they are worthy of
credit. -f - 81
Gov. Wilson. the American military
governor. has questioned the refugees
closely. but he cannot send any aid to the
suffering Porto Ricans at present. He be-
Iieves that 1t would be unwise to scatter
the troops at his command until re-en-
forcements arrive here
Gen. Ernst's brigade now Is encamped
two miles outside of Ponce. along the mil
itary road to San Juan. Gen. Henrys
troops today are at Yauco. six miles from
Guanica. They will travel by rail from
Yauco to this city tomorrow.
Gen. Greene yesterday took a recon-
noi,ering party over the line of the rail-
road and discovered that, while the Span
iards had mined the track. the artillery.
all of which now is at Guanica, can be
brought here by rail, and this will be
done.
Additional re-enforcements on three
transports arrived late this afternoon
and will be landed tomorrow. Gen. Will
son expects the remainder of the First
division, and probably the entire Second
division of the First. Corps This will
bring the total American force In Porto
Rico UP to 23.G0o men. Gen. Wilson de-
ciares that 1900 men would be enough to
take the island.
Alarming reports that the Spaniards in
tended to attack this city last night were
circulated. and two lines of pickets were
sent out. but the night passed without
incident. and the city still is quiet and
orderly. great majority of the citizens
are unfeignedly delighted with the Ameri-
can occupation of the city. Spanish SYM
pathizers apparently are confined to ma
tive Spaniards and a few German and
French residents. These are keeping
very quiet.
Considerable excitement was caused to-
day by the arrest of several Spanish vol
unteers. The bitterness engendered by
the rebellion of 1887 still exists. and yes
terday. when political prisoners were set
at liberty, they Immediately sought re-
venge upon their former prosecutors.
They reported that their old enemies
were actively engaged in spying and in
otherwise promoting the Spanish inter-
estS.
Half a dozen Spanish residents of this
city, arrested upon the representations of
Porto Ricans, were taken to the city hail.
followed by a hooting native rabble-
When Gen. Wilson learned what was be-
ing done he ordered that the Spaniards be
released. and he assured them that pro-
lection would be granted to ALL Guards
have been stationed about the homes of
several residents. and strict orders have
been issued for the provost guard TO pre-
vent any annoyance by the rabble.
Confidence and order soon were restor-
ed and Gen. Wilson notified the political
prisoners who were released yesterday
that no pernicious activity would be toll
Grated. During the last rebellion many
of the natives were terribly tortured by
the Spanish authorities. and they were
anxious to retalfate.
General Miles has established his head
quarters at the Port of Ponce. two miles
from the city. There is no prospect that
the advance upon San Juan will begin
for several days. The forward movement
OF the American troops will be delayed
until the entire army arrives
All the way from Ponce to San Juan
the military road Is magnificent. The
distance is e!ghty-five miles across the
mountains. No serious opposition to the
American invasion is anticipated, al
| though Gen. San Martin may attempt to
make a stand at Aibonito. where a noun
| tain pass. a trocha and the forts would
enable a small force to make formida-
BILE resistance.
Many Spanish volunteers are desert
Ing from the enemy's ranks. Several
hundred have come into the city, having
been released on parole.
| Several native guides have beeen OBJ
| tainel today to. accompany the army on
| II. march across the is'and. There Is a
great lack of wagons. Wagons. hospital
and commissary supplies. as well as am
munstion. were left behind. Native OK
teams and carts are being pressed into
service. and supplies and camp equipage
are being pushed to the front as rapidly
as possible. -
About one month ago my child. which
is fifteen months old, had an attack OF
dIarrhoea accompanied by, vomiting.