e thoroughly delighted with the news that
the island was likely to be ceded to the United States. Wherever the
American flag went up, it was cheered with a vigor that probably was
never given to the Spanish flag during all the centuries it has been in
evidence.

Everywhere, the people rushed forward to welcome the invaders, and
showered them with hospitable attentions. Pretty women dressed
themselves in their richest garments and smiled their sweetest smiles to
charm the conquerors.

Food, cigars and wines were pressed upon the soldiers; the civil
authorities issued florid proclamations over the glad event of becoming
"Americanos," and the whole country blossomed with Star-Spangled
banners. The only reason why even more of them were not displayed was
because more of them could not be obtained.

It was one of the most unlooked-for and surprising things of this most
surprising war, as a writer in the National Tribune of Washington
observes.

The same writer goes on to say that really there is good reason for all
this.

"The substantial people of Puerto Rico know that it is immensely to
their interest to cut loose from Spain, and be grafted on to the United
States. The greater part of their trade is with this country, and Spain
has been bleeding them for the privilege of carrying it on. Now they can
send their coffee, sugar, tobacco, tropical fruits, etc., directly to
this market, get American prices for them, and buy American goods in
return at regular American prices.

"They ought to be mighty glad to get into this country, but, being
Spaniards, we hardly expected them to have so much sense."

Guanica was the first town taken by our soldiers.

The enthusiasm was unbounded, and numbers of the citizens called to pay
their respects to the leading officers.

At Guanica the following proclamation was issued to the people of the
island under the signature of General Miles:

"Guanica, Porto Rico, July 27, 1898.
"To the Inhabitants of Porto Rico:

"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 islands of Porto
Rico. They come bearing the banners of freedom, inspired by noble
purposes, to seek the enemies of our government and 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 j