Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-09-20
LANDING THE MARINES.

unfortunately the harbor is wide
open, ana prior to year ago it was
necessary to anchor at least a half
mile out because of the shallow wat
er. And this is what the marines
were up against. AS their boats 1eft
the war ship they were shining
marks for the natives OF the FORT
ana the fact that only a few of the
ranks were hit was due more to the
poor ann OF their enemies than to
rack or opportunity to pick them Off.
one thing that worried the Ameri
can commander WIS the sight of a
great gun mounted on n small hill
lock Mt the sea side Of the fort. This
looked as big us u six inch piece and
rs minute succeeded minute and there
! was no great shell sent hurting in
their direction the Americans wond
cred why.
orders were given the gunners
aboard the war ship to get that big
gun, and although score or more
efforts were made the big gun is still
there. Afterward this gun was found
to be of ancient vintage and out of
commission.
A'Ss Wv <hliSl lCStll
was anxious TO wound as few of the
Domlnlcans as possible. Orders were
to shoot high" and the marines obey
cd.
But the going became hotter and
hotter until finally the gunners we're
instructed to place few shells in
side the fort. This they did with
nratness and despatch and soon the
fracas was terminated.
When the Yankee forces invested
the city they at once took possession
or the fort. Thier presence sent the
Dominicans into q wild rage. Still
inc natives were helpless opposed to
superior force and a force that was
armed with modern guns. with field
pieces and with machine guns to ped
Gle. What could they do?
In the meantime the force that had
landed at Monte Christi was indulg
ing IN a forced march through the
NILS and over almost impossible
roads to the direction Of SANTIAGO.
1hey marched night and day resting
only when the men were too tired to
Keep going. They reached their Oh
Jective two or three days after Puerto
rata had been taken. and there was
little or no trouble experienced in
including the officials of the CITY to
surrender.
This Santiago place is one OF the
show places of the island. In the
business section of the city there is
hardly building that doesn't show
the sears OF battle. The old cathedral
sad to have been erected more than
one hundred years ago flanks the pub
nc park on the SOUTH while on the
north is the barracks of the Guardian
Nacional, q body composed of nativ
cs ana performing functions some
'nihg IKE those which fall to the lot
OF the New York or Pennsylvania
ota'e Constabulary. On the west OF
the park is the Governors Palace and
the City Hall. On the east is another
church.
Most CT these buildings are blilt
OF wood and adobe, or concrete. The
outer layer is of this plaster stuff and
there is hardly a square foot of 9th
or the cathedral the barracks or the
church that doesn't show signs of bul
iels ana heavier shot. The cathedral
IN particular is riddled.
so, AFTER taking the island San
Domingo City, in the South, the CAPT
tai or The republic having fallen with
out trouble the Americans had pro
position on thei rhands. Communica
ton was had with Washington at
once. The exact situation was made
clear to the officials and Instructions
were asked for.
IN the iT"-.time some of ths bot
ter class Of Dominicans began to take
haart. Trey were satisfied that tn air
big lrAflan nR