CHAPTER I.

FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF MCKINLEY, 1897 (CONTINUED)—OUR WAR WITH SPAIN (CONTINUED) THE CAMPAIGN IN PORTO RICO.

HUS, within the brief space of two months after the first landing of American troops

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on Cuban soil, the island became a virtual captive of the American forces. True, Havana, the metropolis, had not fallen, for it had not been attacked, and but for events elsewhere there probably would have been a great deal more fighting, but the resistless advance of our forces, land and naval, in different quarters clearly presaged that the inevitable end was near at hand.

Santiago had fallen, Cervera's fleet had been destroyed, and the army and navy in that part of the world now turned their attention to Porto Rico, the other important possession still remaining in the hands of Spain.

To secure this island three expeditions were sent thither. The first, under General Miles, sailed from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 21; the second, including a part of General Brooke's command, left Charleston on the same day with General Ernst as brigade commander; while the third, under General Brooke himself, embarked at Newport News July 26. The total number of troops was some 11,000, all of whom were successfully landed in Porto Rico. General Miles arrived at Guanico early on the morning of July 25. He succeeded in keeping his intended landing-place a secret, for if he had not done so the wide-awake newspaper correspondents would have published it to the world, and the Porto Ricans would have been warned and prepared for the invaders.

Consequently the Spanish forces were surprised, and although they offered resistance several shells from the Massachusetts, Gloucester, and Columbia scattered them, and the Gloucester, under our old friend Lieutenant Commander Wainwright, steamed for the port with a party of men, thirty of whom were sent ashore. The Spaniards opened fire, to which the Americans replied with machine-guns and rifles. The enemy stood but a few minutes, when away they ran; and, rowing ashore, the Spanish flag was hauled down from the staff and the Stars and Stripes hoisted in its place. This action, and the cheering which accompanied it, so enraged the Spaniards that they began popping away from behind the corners of houses and from their batteries along shore. Our men threw up an intrenchment across the street, mounted a rapid-fire gun, strung some barbed wire in front, signaled to the fleet for re-enforcements, and began blazing vigorously with their single quick-fire gun. In a brief while five of the enemy were killed, while not an American was scratched.

General Miles now went ashore and superintended the landing of his strong force of troops, which were quickly formed into companies and took commanding positions. They were too powerful for the Spaniards to offer any further opposition, and a detachment was sent to Yauco, a small town five miles inland and the western terminus of the

railway connecting with Ponce, fifteen miles to the east. It should be stated that the total strength of General Miles' force was 3415 men, all told.

On the morning of July 28 General Miles marched with his division to Port Ponce. The troops which had left Charleston, as related, arrived there on the same morning

and found the port in American control, it having surrendered to Commander C. H. Davis of the gunboat Dixie the day before. Strange to say, the people, instead of offering resistance, welcomed the Americans with every sign of pleasure, and amid great rejoicing General Ernst immediately started for the city of Ponce, three miles inland. Upon

his appearance the place promptly surrendered, and seemed more delighted than their friends at the port of Ponce.

The war in Porto Rico has been compared to an opera-bouffe, and in many respects the term is appropriate. The British consul, acting for the Spaniards, turned over the city to General Miles, who was accompanied by General J. H. Wilson, commanding the First Division of the First Army Corps. Nearly all the people remained in the city to welcome the Americans. When Generals Miles and Wilson were driven in a carriage from Port Ponce to Casa del Rey, in the heart of the city proper, they were welcomed by the mayor and British consul. As the two officers stepped from their vehicle, the fire-brigade band which was waiting, drawn up in line in their gorgeous uniforms, played one of Sousa's marches, while it sounded as if the people would split their throats in cheering the officers who passed into the building.

In reply to inquiries, General Miles said that the present officials would be left in charge for a time, but all would be responsible to General Wilson, whom he had appointed military governor. When the officers came out again they were compelled to blush at the enthusiastic welcome that greeted them everywhere. General Miles strengthened his hold upon the volatile people by paying for everything used by the army, renting every building which it was found necessary to occupy, and giving employment to several hundred natives as stevedores.

The general is an officer of excellent judgment and discretion, and won many more friends by issuing the following proclamation:

"In 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 occupy the island of Porto Rico. They come bearing the banners of freedom, inspired by a noble purpose, to seek the enemies of our government and of yours, and to destroy or capture all 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 relations, and, it is hoped, insure your cheerful acceptance of the government of the United States.

"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 this military occupation. They have not come to make war on the 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

bestow the immunities and blessings of our enlightened and liberal institutions and government.

"It is not their purpose to interfere with existing laws and customs which are wholesome 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 devastation and desolation, but one to give all within the control of the military and naval forces the advantages and blessings of enlightened civilization."

General Wilson proved himself an excellent ruler. Almost the first thing he did was to release the political prisoners. One of these was accused of having cut the telegraph wire between Ponce and San Juan, just before the arrival of the Americans, who, had they been delayed a few hours, would have been too late to save the man from being shot. As soon as he was set free he ran among his friends, received their congratulations, and then with their help dragged the Spaniards who had put him in prison before General Wilson, expecting as a matter of course that they would be immediately put to death; but General Wilson promptly released them and reminded those who had turned the tables so effectively that the mission of the Americans was not one of vengeance.

Then a delegation of priests called to learn what our government meant to do for

the support of their churches. The general informed them that the Constitution of the United States did not allow any money to be paid for the aid of religious organizations, and their churches would have to take care of themselves. The editors of several news

papers timidly asked whether they would have to suspend publication, but to their delight were told to go ahead and print the news. Some of these editors afterward so outrageously abused their privilege that they were warned, and, failing to mend their manners, were forced to cease the issuance of their abusive sheets. Thus far every

thing ran smoothly in this portion of the island, but it was different in other quarters. General Garreton had remained with his brigade at and near Guanica. On July 26, while advancing upon Yauco, he met the enemy and had a brisk engagement which lasted for quarter of an hour. Three Spaniards were killed and thirteen wounded, while no Americans were killed and only four wounded. Two days later Yauco was reached, and instead of offering resistance the people literally danced with joy at sight of the invaders. Here is the text of the exuberant proclamation of the mayor, issued before the fleeing Spaniards were fairly out of sight of the town:

"Citizens !-On to-day the citizens of Porto Rico assist in one of the most beautiful fêtes-the sun of America shines upon our mountains and valleys this day of July, 1898. It is a day of glorious remembrance for each son of this beloved isle, because for the first time there waves over us a flag of the stars, planted in the name of the Government of the United States of America by the Major-General of the American army, Señor Miles.

"Porto Ricans, we are here, by the miraculous intervention of the God of the just, given back to the bosom of our mother America, in whose waters Nature placed us as people of America. To her we are given back in the name of her Government by General Miles, and we must send her our most expressive salutation of generous affection through our conduct towards the valiant troops represented by distinguished officers commanded by the illustrious General Miles. Citizens, long live the Government of the United States of America! Hail to their valiant troops! Hail, Porto Rico, always American! "Alcalde FRANCISCO MEGIA.

"YAUCO, PORTO RICO, United States of America."

This proclamation was a true expression of the feelings of the citizens. The bands played incessantly in the public square, numerous receptions were held, and the Porto Rican maidens danced with the soldiers until the small hours of the morning, while jollity, merriment, and rejoicing were everywhere.

Thus we see that Guanica, Ponce, and Yauco had speedily become American cities, and the fourth to follow was Juan Diaz, captured by the Pennsylvania volunteers under Colonel Hulings. On August I the Gloucester arrived at Arroyo, sent a landing party ashore, and immediately the Stars and Stripes was raised over the custom-house. Less than half a dozen Spanish officials were caught, but they were promptly released on parole. There had been a garrison of considerable strength, but they fled on the approach of the invaders.

Some resistance was met at the more important town of Guayama, six miles to the westward, where the garrison consisted of 250 men. The force sent thither by General Brooke captured it on August 5, with only three men slightly wounded. At Coamo, on August 9, there was a half-hour of fighting by Generals Wilson and Ernst, during which six of the enemy were killed and a number of Americans wounded, when the Spaniards surrendered.

There was a less cordial welcome in Coamo than elsewhere, and it was the fault. of the Americans themselves. A number of soldiers who first entered the town behaved riotously, taking goods from the stores, and eating what they wished in the restaurants and refusing to pay therefor. Naturally the stores and eating-houses were closed, and most of the people refused to appear on the streets or to show themselves when the remainder of the troops took possession of the town.

At this time General Schwan, with 1300 troops, including a number of regulars, was off on a sort of independent campaign of his own. He had with him artillery, cavalry, and infantry, with which he left Guanica, where, as you will remember, General Miles had landed, and headed toward the town of Mayaguez. General Schwan, although he had but little more than a regiment under his command, had a wagon train, and all three branches of the service, and kept pegging away at every opportunity that presented.

No opposition worth mentioning was encountered at Savana Grande and San German, but a few miles beyond the latter town, and halfway to Mayaguez, he ran against a considerable force of the enemy. They were speedily defeated, and then Mayaguez was occupied without any real resistance, as were Anasco and Aguardo, the Spanish troops falling back on Lares, with the Americans in hot pursuit. Before a decisive engagement could be forced, news reached the Americans that a truce had been declared between the American and Spanish governments, and all fighting in Porto Rico was at an end. The total loss of the whole campaign was two men killed and one officer and seventeen men wounded.