Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-11-16
AMERICANS M PORTO acc
United States Soldiers Landed for the
First Time at Ponce Seven
Years Ago.

On July %, 1898, Gen. Nelson A.
Miles, in command OF the American
army sent to take Porto Rico, reached
the Playa of Yonce at daybreak. 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 and with troops
was Maj. Selden A. Day, of the artil-
lery corps.
Gen. Miles and staff 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
Americans 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 weeks. and they were fever
ish and eager for a fight. And when
they landed. instead of being met by
bullets. they we're welcomed with Of
fcrings OF fruit and flowers.
The small detachment landing at
Guanica was divided, part of it re-
manning 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 Porto Rico:
"Guanico, Porto Rico, July 81. 1898.
"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,
its 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 n of
yours. and to destroy or capture all IN
armed resistance.
'They bring you the fostering arms
Of a 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
tie 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
% only to yourselves, but to our
property, promote your prosperity, and
bestcW the immunities and blessings of
our enlightenment and liberal institu-
TONS and government. 1t is not their
purpose to interfere with the existing
laws aud 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-
lion and dissolution. but n to give all
within the control OF the military and
naval forces the advantages and bless
ings of enlightened civilization.
(Signedl
Mai. Gen. NELSON A. MILES,
Commander United States Army
When the troops reached the Plaza
Delioias at Ponce their reception there
was more like the homecoming of
couGuering heroes than the surrender
Of a city TO an armed foe. The COM
maneing 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-
ild9S lHhl ulu Ottul at IlOl III cue Us
and near Albonito could hardly be
called even skirmishes. AT Hormi-
gueros Lieut.. Col. Martinez and the
second in command of the Spanish
forces was killed in action. AT about
the same time troops landed at Arroyo.
marched ON Guayama. Inc then on toi
Ajbonito. The pass at Aibonito was
strongly held by the Spaniards, but
the signing of the peace protocol pre-
vented a conflict.
The entire southern side OF the
islard was in possession Cd the Ameri-
can 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
~ereignty Of Porto Rico is one of the
most remarkable events in the annals
~ ,uor