Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1898 — PORTO RICO SEIZED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PORTO RICO SEIZED.

% General Miles Takes Possession of the Island. HOT A LIFE WAS LOST. KesMente of Ponce Welcome the Invaders Enthusiastically. Port and City of Ponce Surrender to United Statee Forcea Without a Shot Being Fired on Either Side-Miles loanee a Proclamation Taking Poo* aaaaion in the Name of the American Government and Promising to Protect the People—Enthusiasm of the Inhabitants. .Washington special: The American forcea won as bloodless a victory in Porto Rico as they did at Manila. The port of Ponce surrendered at •nee when a few American vessels presented themselves. The following day the city, three miles inland, with a population of 50,000, capitulated immediately. Gen. Miles did not find it as hard a nut to crack as Gen. Shatter did Santiago. In all the Porto Rican operations thus far hot a life was lost. Gen. Miles reports that Illinois and Indiana troops under Gen. Ernst occupied the port and city of Ponce after a short skirmish with Spanish troops. Americans had four men wounded, none seriously, while the Spaniards lost three killed and thirteen wounded. Gen. Miles issued a proclamation declaring the purpose of the Invasion, releasing the Porto Ricans from

their relations to Spain, and expressing the hope that they will readily accept the government instituted for - them by the United States, Americans pushed on toJward the mountains, and Gen. Miles said jhe expected to encounter no insurrnountaible obstacles in his march upon San Juan. Spaniards fled precipitately before the approach of the American army. I The inhabitants of Ponce gave the 'American troops an enthusiastic welcome. Gen. Miles issued a proclamation in which he told the Porto Ricans that his soldiers came to bring them “the fostering arms of a great people,” and an order to give them “the largest measure of liberty consistent with this military occupation” and, “the advantages and blessings lof an enlightened civilization.” The lnIhahitants were assured that their property is to be protected and their prosperity promoted, while their existing laws and customs are not to be interfered with. The hearty reception given to Gen. Miles* troops at Ponce was not due to his proclamation. The inhabitants are heart-sick of Spauish misrule. They know how much American rule is to be preferred to it, and they stnnd in no need of assurances that they will be well treated. Gen. Miles’ and Capt. Iligginson’s dispatches reporting the capitulation of Ponce and describing the strange scenes incidental to the surrender created a genuine sensation in oflicial circles. For the moment the first great victory of the campaign in Porto Rico overshadowed interest in the deliberations of the cabinet lanent the terms of pence. Washingtonians were scarcely less enthusiastic over the victory than the Porto Ricans who secured freedom from Spanish tyranny forever by the descent of the Americans upon Ponce. Indeed, the capture of the second city of Spain's most easterly West Indian colony is looked upon as a greater victory than the capture of Santiago, In view of the fact not nn American life was lost, and the natives celebrated the event iwith as much ardor as the soldiers who ran the gauntlet of the Spanish fire to achieve it. It came so unexpectedly and the victory seemed to be so complete as to appear incomprehensible. It w&s expected Miles would have to fight his way through the Spanish lines before gaining the portal of Ponce, and hence the grace with which the Spaniards laid down their arms and allowed the Americans to enter the provincial capital passed all understanding of Spanish character. The capture of Porto Rico eliminates one of many disputed points which might arise in considering terms of peace with Spain. It is no longer problematical as to whether the cession of Porto Rico to the States should be a condition of peace. It is ours now by right of conquest. Its value may be considered in adjusting the war indemnity. But the fact •f conquest is already complete.

GEN. LEONARD WOOD. Military Governor of Santiago.