The record-union., 1898-08-05
Forward Movement Will Likely Be
Delayed
Until The Arrival Of More Transports,
Which Are Hourly Expected.
Has Been No Actual Fighting So
Far, But the Spaniards Are Ex-
pected to Make Their First At
Aibonita, Thirty-6ve Miles
From Ponce.

PONCE Qsland of Porto Rico), Aug.
$50 far as known, no further move
ment will be made by the American
troops until the arrival of more trans
ports, which are hourly expected.
There has been no fighting up to the
present so far as known. The Span
iards are expected to make their first
stand at y AibOnito, thirty-five miles
from here, where two or three thou
sand Spanish regulars are believed to
be intrenched.
The present prospect is that there
will be no actual fighting for several
days.
SPANISH ADVANCING.
PONCE, Aug. 3 (via Kingston, ia
maica, Aug. f. $40 a. m.)-The Span
iards are reported to be advancing,
though it is not generally believed. In
addition to the regular Notifications at
Aibonito, on the road to San Juan, 1t
IS reported that the enemy is fortifying
the cliffs preparatory to blocking the
road if compelled to retreat. San Mar
tin, the Spanish commander who evac-
uated this place without orders, is a
prisoner at San Juan de Porto Rico. He
will be tried for cowardice and prob
ably Will be executed.
STONE ENCOUNTERS OPPOSITION.
PONCE, Aug. 3 (via Kingston, Aug.
S).-General Roy Stone, while recon
noitering northward along the road
leading to Arecbo, on the north coast,
with a company of the Second Wiscon-
sin Regiment. encountered opposition
at Utuado, where a small force of
Spanish regulars and volunteers had
beeen instructed by Captain General
Macias to resist to the bitter end.
The Spaniards refused to surrender.
and General Stone telephoned back to
Adjuntas that he would push on. aided
by force of natives armed with ma
chetes. Before the Americans left Adj
juntas, where twelve men had been left,
q Spanish force was reported to Gen.
eral Stone at Adjuntas, picketed on the
trail between Adjuntas and Utuado, in
the heart of the mountains. AS the
troops had to move in single file. ten
men can stop a regiment. General
Stones messengers rode all night.
GENERAL BROOKES PLANS.
PONCE, Aug. ;, evening (via st.
Thomas. Aug. 3).-CDelayed in trans
mission.)-The plan of campaign is not
fully determined upon, but the natural
strength of the Spanish position at
Aibonito, and the character of the Ce
fenSive works erected there, necesSi-
tates a flank movement The turning
movement was inaugurated to-day,
when General Brooke landed 1900 men
at Arroyo. sixty miles east of here.
From there he can strike the military
road leading to San Juan at Cayey, be-
yond Aibonito.
This will compel the Spanish COM
mander, General Ortega, who has a
great reputation, to abandon his
stronghold, or be caught between two
fires 1t is possible a 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 feint.
General Stone is making a dash
reconnaissance north in the direction of
Arcibo. He went into Adjuntas last
night with five men and four corre-
spondents, and to-day he brought The
command on along the Utuado road.
The road rises west of the Caycy
Range and is rough. but not imprac-
ticable for cavalry and infantry. If
it is found possible at Utuado, a light
column of troops may be pushed to
the north coast and strike in on ran
Juan on the left flank. But If General
Brooke is successful, it is probable that
General Otega will find Aibonito an
tenable, in case the whole Of our army