Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-12-07
AMERICANS m PORTO RICO
United States Soldiers Landed for the
First Time at Ponce seven
Years Ago.

On July Is, 1888, Gan. Nelson A.
Miles, In command of the Anne. can
army sent 10 lake Porto Rico, reached
tbs Playa OF Yoncs at dAybrs&k. Qua
Mica had surrendered on July "A to
Commander Davis OF the Dixie without
firms a single shot, says the Porto
Rico News.
The first man to land with troops
was Mai Selden A. Day, OF the a<til-
lsry corps.
Cen. Miles and stan were received
by the people Of Porto Rico with the
greatest enthusiasm. The entire pop
ulation massed in great crowds, mad
ly cheering the troops. The few
Anne. leans now on the island who
were with the first landing parties will
never forget the reception given them
by the Porto Ricans. The first boat
loads Of men who came ashore were
greeted with wild cheers OF welcome
FROM the. natives, many Of whom car
ried immense wreaths OF flowers.
Uncle Sans blue-shirted soldiers
had long been crowded together on the
transports; they were tired of doing
nothing. most Of them having been in
camp for weehH, and they were fever
ish and eager for 4 fight. And when
they landed, instead OF being met by
bullets, they were welcomed with Of
fcrings of fruit and flowers.
The small detachment landing at
Guanica was divided, part of It re-
naming there to hold the town. The
rest went on to Ponce, taking posses-
sion of the railroad at Yauco en- route
The landing Of the army was made at
Ponce three days later.
At this time Gen. Miles issued the
following proclamation to the people
OF Forto Rico:
"Guanico, Porto Rico, July 81, 1893.
"To the inhabitants Of Porto Rico:
an 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,
It's military forces have come to occu-
py the island Of Porto Rico They
come bearing the banners Of freedom,
inspired by noble purposes, to seek the
enemies Of our government and OF
yours, and to destroy or capture all IN
armed resistance.
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-
lions, and It is hoped that this will be
followed by the cheerful acceptance of
the government Of the United States.
1.-The chief object of the American
military 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 tho 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
bestcH the immunities and blessings Of
our enlightenment and liberal institu-
lions and government. 1t is not their
purpose to interfere with the existing
laws and customs which are whole
some and beneficial to the people so
long as they conform to the rules of
the military administration, order and
Justice. This is not a war Of devasta-
ton and dissolution, but one to give all
within the control of the military and
naval forces the advantages and bless
ings Of enlightened civilization.
(Signed)
Maj. Gen. NELSON A. MILES,
Commander United States Army.
When the troops reached the Plaza
Delicias at Ponce their reception there
was more like the Homecoming Of
conGuering heroes than the surrender
Of a city to an armed foe. The COM
manding generals drove from the
Playa to the Plaza, where the mayor
and city officials with two bands
awaited them. Marina street the en-
tire distance was thronged with cheer
ing crowds, and as the sunburned
troopers marched along natives with
baskets of fruits, eggs and dulces kept
step with them, offering refreshments.
Porto Rico was taken almost with
out a clash OF arms and the two af
trays that did occur at HCrmiguaro
and near Albonito could hardly DC
called even skirmishns. At Hormi
greros Lieut.. Col Hart neg and the
second In command Of the Spanish
forces was killed in acton. At about
the ame time troops landed at Arroyo,
marched on GucyaEa and then on 10
Aibonito. The pass at Aibonito was
strongly held by the Spaniards, but
the signing of the peace protocol pre-
vertcr a conflict.
The entire southern side Of the
island was in possession OF the Ameri-
car forces at this time, and when the
protocol was signed three divisions.
one via Arecibo, were marching on San
Juan.
The peaceful transfer of the SOW
ere:gnty Of Porto Rico is one of the
most remarkable events in the annals
Of wRr.
Reading Lesson.