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VCL. XXI.— NO. 211. -INEIJiiS iffl \NSWER TO SPAIN'S PEACE NOTE AGAIN DEFERRED ?EESIDENT'S ADVISERS A UNIT UPON THE MAIN POINTS LRE AT VAKIAXCE AS TO DISPOSI TION OF PHILIPPINES ill Agreed That tlio United State* Doom \ot (are to Retain the Islands, Yet Should Hot I«om» tile Opportunity to Extend ItH Prtn «-i|.l«-s to That l'art of the World — ActtoiiN of \puiiuiltlo and His laxorgcnl Followers Drbn r Tliyiii From Moral Claim I'pon America — —Cabinet to Meet AK'ain This MorniiiK. WASHINGTON, July 29.— Nearly tev ftn hours" earnest discussion by the president and his constitutional advis ers, of the nature of the response to be m*de by the government to the Spanish overture for peace, brought no conclu sion, and the subject, necessarily, was postpoced for further consideration at another mooting of the cabinet, to be held at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow morn ing. Buch was the formal statement of tha Situation at the conclusion of the day's — work, by each member of the cabinet who was questioned upon the subjoct. A linal conclusion, however, is much Dearer than this statement would seem to indicate, and, indeed, there is little reason to doubt that an agreement has 1 :. reached upon all tho substantial 1 vims nt Issue, and that what remains t ■ be done tomorrow is rather to smooth away Inequalities and to ad just some minor p.iints of difference ba |fore making the mswer expected by ,SJ. Cambon. VEXATIOUS PROBLEM. The point under discussion during th< greater part of the morning was what disposition saould oe made of the 1 ilip] Ines. On the i ;he.- issues unani mity developed. There was to be inde pendence demanded for Cuba; Porto Rico was to be> crd^d to the United £t in.-, coaling stations were to be ac- | Quired tut Guama, in the Ladrone isl ands, ana one in the Caroline islands. TKlso propositions were disposed of — Quickly, but when it came to the Philip pines some diversity of opinion was revealed. As near as can be gathered this did not relate mainly to the reten t: n of the islands. On that p.op.-.sition • a majority of the cabinet was speedily recorded in the negative, but accepting the broad proposition that Spain was to be allowed ,o keep these po^se sions, other questions naturally developed, nml It was felt these must be adjusted befo-re the subject was definitely dis posed of. There was no question as to propriety of demanding a coaling elation in the Philippines, and while there r< as inably might be a difference of opinion as to the location' and ex — tent of this station, little difficulty was c:<! -crod to be encountered In solving that problem, because the matter could .'•■ referred to the naval board, which was competent to d?al with th'.s sub ject. FUTURE OF PHILIPPINES. The qutstion was as to what form of government should be established in the Philippines and what should be the nature of the guarantee required of Spain that the new government should be liberal and autonomous in character. These two questi(*:s hinged on the pri mary question to interfere at all in pro posing a change in the Philippines. E me members of the cabinet felt that — the insurgents, under Aguinaldo, hav ing acted independently of the United Btates from the very beginning of the Insurrectionary movement, and having lately shown a disposition to make trouble for us, had r.o moral claim upan the United States in the settlement of the terms of peace. On the other hand it was urged that our government Should lose no opportunity to extend its principles throughout the world, and that this would be done best in the present case by requiring Spain to ex tend genuine autonomy to the Philip pines. It was upon just such points a& this that the discussion proceeded all i day. _* A point, which was quickly estab lished, was that there should be no reference of any phase of the question of the (lirposition of the islands to any ■•crt or individual member of the lowers. One point that was settled, although there was no formal action uprtm it, was* that no protest against the continuance of military or naval — operations pending the peace negotia tions would avail in the slightest. There would be no suspension of opera tions nor modifications whatever in the plans, until the Spanish gov ernment had agreed upon the plans proposed. OFF THIS HEMISPHERE. A result of the cession of Porto Rico TODAY'S BULLETIN. Page. I— Peace Terms Discussed. Miles Captures Ponce. Col. Shandrew Stricken. Davis Denies Lon-lon Story. 2— Conduct of the War. liusinese Outlook Bright. News of the Railroads. B— Fifteenth Stays at Home. Recruits Sail for Manila. News of Camp Thomas. 4— Editorial. Candidates for Senatorship. Orphan Asylum Plans. s— Sporting News. Saints L/ose to Brewers. Harness Records Broken. Santiago After the Surrender 6— 'Markels of the World. Bar Silver, 5K%c. Cash Wheat, 70% c. 7— Minneapolis Matters. News of the Northwest. B— Fipht Against War Taxes. State Books Closed for the Year. At St. Paul Hotels. New Odd Fellows' Horn*. THE ST. PAUL GLOBE and the recognition of Cul>an Inde pendence by Spain was the decision that every vestige of Spanish govern ment and authority in the Caribbean and West Indian waters must be re moved by formal acquisition of numer ous islands over which the Spanish flag flies. Furthermore, sweeping change of authority from Spain to the United in our nearby waters is to be effective also as a quit claim of all indebted ness asumed by the Spanish govern ment and charged by her to those isl ands, so far as the United States is concerned, and all commercial treaties now existing between the Spanish gov ernment and her possessions and other powers are extinguished. Some discus sion was had as to the probability of Spanish acceptance of our terms. The views differed, though it can be stated that several of the more Influential members of the cabinet believed that the terms substantially agreed on would not be accepted by Spain at once. While believing that the propo sition made should in all reason con stitute the minimum to be considered, some expressed the belief that Spain would not be immediately disposed to reach an agreement on them, and that possibly a considerable lapse of time would ensue before that government would be ready to yield, meantime seeking a compromise, which, it was asserted, was not to be entertained for a moment. Others took the ground that there was every indication that she had decided to make terms, and that what was now proposed would soon be acceded to to avoid further dis aster. One factor in the protracted discus sion of the Philippine problem was the absence of advices as to the existing situation there on this date, a point that might be of considerable Impor tance in the adjustment of the ques tion. The unconfirmed dispatch re porting Manila had surrendered was read and commented on as Indicating that definite action, without the knowl edge as to the exact situation at Ma nila, might cause a statement regard ing conditions that did not exist. The formal papers crystalizing the results of the two sessions today will be ready for action tomorrow. A for mal vote will then be had, and the an swer of this government is likely to be communicated to Spain before night fall. BRITISH OPIXIOX. America frgred to Assume Resnon ■lUUty for the Philippines. LONDON, July 29.— The weekly pa pers credit the United States with a desire to deal generously with Spain. The Saturday Review says: "We are convinced that America will not play the part of Shylocks, but now that she has learned to appreciate the bravery and fighting qualities of the Spaniards, as well as the worthlessness of the Cu ban rebels, she will make obvious atonement for the precipitancy with which she entered upon the war by dealing generously with her oppo nents." The Spectator takes -a line quite un usual In the English press, more strongly urging the United States to assume direct controt of both Cuba and the Philippines. It implores the Wash ington government rather to break an Injudicious pledge to congress than to allow Cuba and the Philippines to be independent or to return to the cruel Spanish dominion. Since it is equally inaflmissable," says the Spectator, "to grant independence or to transfer the Philippines to another power, it is best that the United States should assume the heavy responsibility involved, which will serve to bring out the best qualities of the American nation. Eng land does not desire the Philippines; and, if she did, she would not take them, because she wishes to prove that her sympathy for the United States is quite disinterested." The Spectator devotes another arti cle to a eulogy of the splendid and un expected manner in which Mr. McKin ley has risen to the requirements of a high and difficult position. "The presi dent has displayed latent talents, show- Ing him the possessor of many of Lin coln's great qualities. It would be re markable," the Spectator continues, "if, for the second time in a genera tion, the American system of really an elective monarchy proves itself a strong system for dealing with a dan gerous crisis. Europe may have been hasty in rejecting the very idea of an elective monarchy as fatal alike to stability and strength." COSTROL *OF PHILIPPINES. Spain Seem* Determined to Retain It at Any Cost. WASHINGTON, July 29— It was stat ed in a high diplomatic quarter in such a manner as to give it a semi-official aspect that, if the control of the Phil ippines was an indlspensible condition laid down by the Americans in the making of peace, that the Spanish gov ernment would reject it, and prefer to continue the war. It was stated at the cabinet meeting today that, while the Spanish government considers these propositions hard, they do not pre sent any insurmountable barrier to the making of peace, and, while there was no certainty that Spain would accept these terms and retire from Cuba and Porto Rico, there was every indication that she would yield rather than con tinue a disastrous war. But the future of the Philippines appears to be of as M B :■ .18 . ;,£..::» .iiia ifl ,;;;B iS /.» ::i: B""B!<^a!!^Ei! l! 'S;!'"a:;'"E!::"B; i :"Br'"K^: C:'' 'VI I Elements of America's Ultimatum. ■ Independence for Cuba. Porto Rico to Be Ceded to the United States. | ■ Coaling Station at Guama, Ladrone Islands. « ■ One of the Caroline Islands to Be Ceded to the ™ 3 United States. * | Coaling Station in the Philippines. | lH!:Hill!B»H!lliiBIII»!l!HIII!H!!!li much concern to the Spanish govern ment as it is to the American cabinet, just now, and there is even greater in sistence on the continuance of Spanish sovereignty over the Philippines than there is over the more valuable islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. It is said that the failure to demand a money Indem nity will be appreciated by the Span ish government as an act of generosity on the part of the victors, and that this will in part offset the other terme laid down. SATURDAY MORNING JULY 30, 1898. COALING STATION I ORIENT ME. DAVIS SAYS UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE ONE "Cooling Station" Doe* Not Mean a Heap of Coal on a Dock, bnt an American Colony With Troopa Hiioiigii to Preserve the Ulgi.li, of the Star* and Stripes London Tale Denied. An Associated Press dispatch, under a London date, received in St. Paul yesterday stated that the natives of the Philippine islands resident in Europe had Joined with British sub jects who have Oriental interests in cabling to President McKlnley and Senator Davis asking: them not to abandon the Philippines to Spain when terms of peace are made. The alleged text of the message from Europe to Senator Davis was given as follows: A cast iron agreement, binding Spain to form a government satisfactory to the in habitants is preposterous. To retain her sovereignty means deception, oppress : on and bigotry. We placed our rightß in your hands and pray you to Induce the president and senate not to abandon In the hour of peace — « — '" J j» The city of Ponce (pronounced "Pon-say"), which now is in possession of Gen. Miles, is a pleasant little place of 17,00) population. a people who, trusting in American honor, fight for their common interests. According to another press telegram Senator Davis had been called to Washington by the president to dis cuss peace proposals. Senator Davis was asked last even ing whether he had received a cable gram from natives of the Philip pines residing in France and Belgium, petitioning him to use his influence against a restoration of the Philip pines to Spanish rule. , "I have not received such a mes sage," answered Senator Davis. Senator Davis also said he had not been called to Washington. COALING STATION. Senator Davis was asked what length of time the American troops might be expected to remain in the Philippines in the event of a restora tion of those islands to Spain. "We ought to have a coaling station there," said the senator. "And by a coaling station I do not mean a heap of coal on a dock. A coaling station means an American colony and ship yards and dry docks, and that means a sufficient number of troops to maintain our authority there." Senator Davis said that he did not anticipate any complications with for eign nations over the Philippines. "A great deal has been published about the alleged unfriendliness of Germany," he said, "but there was really nothing in it. Germany did seem a little officious at one time, but more was made of the incident than facts warranted. "I do not believe any nation has an Idea of interfering with us. It was re ported that Russian warships had been sent to Manila, but that was incor rect." Senator Davis referred to the Porto Rican campaign. "I am not surprised that the Ameri can army is received with open arms In Porto Rico," he said. "I was told by some natives of that island in Washington that the country would welcome our troops. Most of the peo ple in that island are descendants of French pioneers, and have no sympa thy for Spain." DRAMATIC DAYS. "The past three months," continued Senator Davis, "have been prolific in dramatic scenes in Washington. I never experienced such thrilling times as there have been in Washington. This war has united the American people as nothing else could. It has obliterated party and sectional lines. It was an inspiring thing when the congress voted $50,000,000 for use in the war. Democrats, Republicans, Pop ulists, gold men and silver men, dema gogues, politicians and statesmen, with one voic© voted for the measure, and then the next minute discussed the Question of sewerage for the District of Columbia, as though nothing had happened. " "And then the destruction of two Spanish fleets, with the losa of a single American seaman, is a miracle that aroused the most intense excitement at the time In Washington. History has been made rapidly during the past three months." INVITED THE PUA.GUE. H. L. Beach, Who Woa at the Front, Makea Startling Revelation*. CHICAGO, July 29.— The first definite statement was made as to how yellow fever was brought into the ranks of the American army In Cuba. Mr. H. L. Beach, who represented the Asso ciated Press along the fighting line at Santiago, and who had Just returned to Chicago, made the statement as fol lows: "It is an actual fact—^something I saw with my own eyes — that our army ambulances were used to carry Cuban refugees, who had fled from Santiago, and who were carrying the germs of the dread fever with them. When Gen. Shafter sent word to Santiago that he intended to bonrbard the city, the peo ple all began to flee, and most of them VIEW OF THE CITY OF PONCE, NOW IN POSSESSION OF GEN. MILES. | It Is situated inland about three rniies from the bay of the same name on the hig>. grou :<J Which rises above the ocean in a sharp accent. Ponce ranks as the second city o£ Porto R.co went to El Can.ey. This $$ a tov/n. of about 500 people, but 15,000 refugees w^nt tlikher and occupied the houses In which there was room for only 500. The town was overflowing 1 ; there was no food for the Cubans, and the army had not enough to spare. So these people had to go out and forage for themselves. Santiago is known as the worst yellow fever port iii Cuba, and these people who did not carry it with them soon had it, for their condition, huddled together as they were, was terrible, and brought on the p<*st al most immediately. I know it to be a fact, having 1 seen it myself, that the army ambulances were used to haul these refugees from El Caney so that they might get food. The people waded through the mud and were picked up by the ambulances. Then our sick and wounded were hauled in the same am bulances. But, worst of all, it seems to me, Is the fact that the commissary wagons, which always were going to Siboney and back, carrying, food, went out with food, returned loaded with refugees and went back «.galn loaded with food. No yellow fever appeared in the army before the lines were opened to these people from Santiago, and Dr. Ducker, of Chicago, who was with the correspondents, told us just two days before yellow fever appeared that it must come within forty-eight hours. He also told Maj. Pope, the surgeon, but the latter- said he could do nothing to avoid it." RUMOR NOT VERIFIED. Madrid Has Not Heard of Fall of Manila. PARIS, July 29.— A telegram from Madrid says that a cable dispatch has been received at the Spanish capital announcing the surrender of Manila to Admiral Dewey. MADRID, July 29.— N0 verification of the fall of Manila has been received here. WASHINGTON, July 29.— The belief is general in the war department that Gen. Merritt has landed in Manila, though no cable information to that effect has been received. The fact that Merritt sailed a moruth ago and has had ample time to reach Manila is the ground for the belief of the department. HONG KONG, July 30.— The British gunboat Plover has arrived here from Manila. She reports that when she left Manila on July 27. the situation there was unchanged and the Amer icans had not yet entered the city. SORRY NOW. Germany Scored by Its Own Press for Its War Role. BERLIN, July 30.— The Frankfurter Zeitung, reviewing the war and the role Germany has played, regrets the attacks the German press has made against the United States and arrivo3 at the conclusion that Germany has behaved In a "thoroughly injurious manner." It says: "Two German ves sels at Manila would haye sufficed am ply, and, in the future, we hope the foreign offlee will take into its own hands the settlement of All-incidents in connection with Gernjany's foraign policy, including those relating to ma- I ri *«-" " * J 4; COL, SHANDREW STRICKEN LOSES HIS VOICE BY A STROKE OF PARALYSIS The Illn.KH Came on Yesterday Morning While He Wo« In Con versation 'With Some Office™ lit* Mind Remained Clear, hat He Couldn't Sneak Later In tho Day Wai Taken to ills Home. Col. John C. Shandrew, of the Fif teenth Minnesota, was stricken with paralysis about 11 o'clock yesterday morning. He will probably recover slowly, but It is unlikely that he will continue in active command of the regiment, as his speech is entirely gone, and it may be stated on excel lent authority that, If he recovers the use of his vocal chords. It will be after some time and by slow degrees. His medical advisers do not look for his return to the regiment. Dr. Henderson said last night that he felt that there was no cause for present alarm about the result of the stroke. He did not apprehend any permanent ill ef- In elze, as th? third in eemmercial Importance. It has many pretty public bu ldings ani squares. Its streets are fairly well pived and are illuminated by gas. There is ample fects, but did not desire to be under stood saying what the course of the disorder might be. He did think that the time for the crisis passed yester day afternoon, and that the danger of a fatal termination was probably passed, but that the effects of the stroke would continue for some time. The news of the attack that the colo nel sustained will come as a shock to the regiment this morning. It was known as early as noon yesterday that something was wrong, but no one sus pected the real ailment. The stroke came while Col. Shandrew was in con versation with one of the surgeons and a couple of other officers of the regi ment. They were examining and dis cussing the mess chest, whfch Gov. Clough had sent out to the officers. Col. Shandrew was in the midst of a sentence when he hesitated In his speech. The officers paid no attention to it, but, when the colonel resumed, his speech was incoherent, and pres ently became altogether unmeaning, then the sounds died away. The man ner of the colonel had attracted the attention of his officers before speech had quite left him, and, as he ceased in his attempt to talk, his face became suffused with blood. The surgeon who was present saw that something seri ous was the matter with the command ing officer, and spoke to him. The efforts of Col. Shandrew to respond were painfully futile. Maj. Dennis, the regimental surgeon, was sent for and he ordered the colonel taken to a tent, where he would be free from the noises of the camp and where there would be no possibility of his be ing disturbed. The tent was closed up and sentries put on to keep away in truders. He wag perfectly conscious and responded to questions that could be answered yes or no, by moving his eyes. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon it was decided that the attack was of a nature that would require consider able close medical attention and proper attendance, and Col. Sandrew was sent | J8,,,a l fl,,u<.iS.jfl.'E'':Kri!: ■''■:;. H'.-'Braii'V ■: seal's:: £ b:'. s.' S''3i' * WAR NEWS IN BRIEF. | 1 M 7S Cabinet devotes an entire day to discussion of peace §j plans. » Members of cabinet said to be a unit on term 3to bs 1 named to Spain, save in the matter of the disposition of . ■ the Philippines. s « President and advisers determined there shall be no i cessation of hostilities until Spain has accepted peace | terms named by the United States. * m Filipinos and British subjects interested in the Philip | pines appeal to America to retain control of the Philip- § pine Islands. *" Gen. Miles in possession of Ponce and Yuaco. m a Porto Ricans welcome Americans and salute the tt E Stars and Stripes. !2 E American forces in Porto Rico pushing on to San g ™ «/wan. g MJi BB " Rumored surrender of Manila to Admiral Deivey not M v verified. a * Z.ast transport of the first Porto Rican expedition §j -; has sailed. f Minnesota recruits and South Dakota troops sail for jj Manila. p PKTCB TWO CBfTg-lftMß, to his home in Secretary Randall's car riage. At that time he was quite able to move about and the paralysis that stopped his speech had had no farther apparent effects. Col. Shandrew lives at 1991 St. An thony avenue, and upon his arrival there his family physician, Dr. Hender son, was sent for. The doctor spent a good deal of time with his patient during the afternoon and evening, but left him early. At Col. Shandrew's house it was said that he was resting quietly last night, but that his speech had not returned. The only other evidence of paralysis was a prickling sensation in one of hia feet and in the palm of one hand. He was quite capable of moving himself about, but was not permitted to move much. The family was anxious not to have anything said of the attack. Dr. Henderson, as stated, said that ho did not look for fatal results; that the colonel would be out of danger, in all probability, in a few days. He could not say how long the effects of the at tack might last. Another physician who saw Col. Shandrew at an earlier stage of his 111 --nees thought that he had suffered a lesion of the brain, and that the paraly sis of the vocal chords was merely a local manifestation of the trouble. He telegraph communication with all pirts of the island and cable connection with J-milca and through that place with the wo. ld at. large. thought that the element of danger would be controlled entirely by the capacity of the system to absorb the flow from the lesion. If the lesion was of so slight a nature as to permit of the absorption, then recovery would be rapid enough. He thought the attack was superinduced by the worry that Col. Shandrew has gone through in the organization of the regiment. The Fifteenth is now under the com mand of Lieut. Col. Leo.nhauser. SPAIX WANTS PORTO RICO. Will Contest the Cession of the Island to the Last. LONDON, July 30.— The Madrid cor respondent of the Daily Mail says: "The Spanish government will com bat to the last againsit a cession of Porto Rico to the United States. It would much rather sacrifice one of the Philippine islands, contending that Pcrto Rico has always been loy.al and outside the scope of the war." LONDON, July 30.— A dispatch from Madrid says: "It is not likely the gov ernment will decide to prolong the war because of Porto Rfco, yet considerable feeling is manifested, and every pos sible diplomatic effort will be made to retain it. AMERICAN MODESTY. LONDON, July 30.— Referring to the unsettled point of the Philippines, the main lines of the peaoe proposals were generally discredited here. The edi torials evidently regard them as a de sire on the part of the United States to treat Spain generously, and so far as possible to limit the extension of America's territorial responsibilities be yond seas. The papers agree that there is no limited liability in warfare. Spain ia naturally disappointed, but they point out that she must put up with the less of Porto Rico, and if she is well advised she will accept the Ameri can terms. MKJEHBI AMERICANS IN POSSESSION OF PONCE AND YAUCO VICTORIES GAINED WITHOUT LOSS OF A LIFE TROOPS PRESSING O.\ TO THE CAP ITAL OP PORTO RICO An Eauy Victory Seem* to Be i a Store for Gen. Mile, Sp.ul.h Force. Make bnt a Feeble Show of Realxtance Importance of Ponce ai a Base of Supplies Yanco I* Also a Valuable Strat egic Point to I'oHNeNK-Porto Rican* Receive the Americana With Enthusiasm and Salute the Stars and Stripe*. WASHINGTON, July 29.-The most Important news received at the war de partment today was the cablegram mm Gon. Miles announcing the excel lent progress being made in Southern Porto Rico and the capture of Ponce The navy department also received a cable announcing that the navy had captured the city of Ponce and landed the forces under Gen. Miles. Both departments are very much satisfied with what has been accomplished, and the tone of both dispatches indicates that the rivalry between the army and navy for honors in the Spanish war is not at an end. The department expects an easy conquest of Porto Rico, and, notwithstanding the overtures for peace made by Spain, the war will be prosecuted vigorously in that island. Following are the telegrams received from Gen. Miles: Port Ponce, Porto Rico, via St. Thomas, July 29.— Secretary of War, Washington: On the 26th, Garretson had a spirited engage ment on skirmish line. Our casualties, four wounded, all doing well. Spanish loss, three killed thirteen wounded. Yauco occupied yesterday. division there today. Last evening, Commander Davis, of the Dixie, moved into this port, followed by Capt. Ilig ginson, with his fleet, early this morning. Gen. Wilson, with Ernest brigade, now rapid ly disembarking. Spanish troops are retreating from southern part of Porto Rico. Ponce and port have population of 50,000, now under American fliig. The populace received troops and sa lutsd the flag, with wild enthusiasm. Navy has several prizes, also 70 lighters. Rail way stock partly destroyed now restored. Telegraph communication also being restored. Cable instruments destroyed. Have sent to Jamaica for others. This is a prosperous and beautiful country. The army will soon be in mountain region; weather delightful; troops in best of health and spirits; anticipate nt, insurmountable obstacle in future. Results thus far have been accomplished without the loss of a single life. —Nelson A. Miles, Major General. Port Ponce, Porto Rico, July 28.— Secretary of War, Washington: In the affair of the 26th, Capt. Edward J. Gibson, Company A, was wounded in the left hip. Capt. J. h! Prior, Company L, slightly wounded in hand; Private James Drummond, Company X, two wounds in neck, and Private Benja min P. EosbicU, Company L, slight wound in right arm; all of Sixth Massachusetts. All doing well. The Spanish retreat from the place was precipitate; they leaving rifles and ammunition in barracks and forty or fifty sick in hospital. The people are enjoying a holi day in honor cf our arrival. —Miles. ON TO TAUCO. The American troops are pushing to ward the mountains and will join Gen. Henry with his brigade at Yauco, which has been captured by our troops. A fight before the latter place on Tuesday last was won by the Ameri can volunteers. The Spaniards ambushed e!ght com panies of the Sixth Massachusetts and Sixth Illinois regiments, but the enemy was repulsed and driven back a mile to a ridge where the Spanish cavalry charged and were routed by our in fantry. Gen. Garretson led the fight with the men from Illinois and Massachusetts, and the enemy retreated to Yauco, leaving tour dead on the field and sev eral wounded. The Porto Ricans are glad the Amer ican troops have landed, and sa.y they are all Americans and will join our army. The ro-ads are quod for mili tary pusposes. Our troops are healthy and Gen. Miles says the campaign w.H be short and vigorous. POXCE AXD YAUCO. Importance of the Ports Captured by the Amortcnn Forces. WASHINGTON, July ».— -(Special.)— The news received today from the Port of Ponce and from Gen. Mile 3 indicates, as has been expected by the war de partment oiHclals, that the conquest of Porto Rico is not to prove a difficult task, and that the campaign against San Juan will be as decisive as it will be short and sharp. Ponce, the surrender of which place to the commander of the auxiliary cruiser Dixie is reported, is a large city of the island, and the capture 13 important as furnishing a convenient and advantageous base of operations. War Notes of Porto Rico, a publica tion issued by the war department, gives the following details rey Wiling Ponce, the latest glace to witness the hoisting of the American flag: Ponce: A city of 22,000 people, with a jurisdiction numbering 47,000. It is sit uated on the south coast of the island on a plain about two mil?s from the seaboard. It is the chief to'vn of the district of Its name, and is seventy miles from San Juan. It is regularly built, the central part almost exclusive ly of brick and the suburbs of wood. It is the residence of the military com mander and the seat of an official chamber of commerce. There is an ap pellate criminal court, beside other courts; two churches, one Protestant, said to be the only one in the Spanish West Indies; civil and military hos pitals; theaters, a market, a municipal public library, hotels barracks, a park, a perfectly equipped fire department, and, commercially, is the second city of importance on the island. A fine road leads to the port (Piaya), Where all the import and export trade is transacted. Playa has about 5,000