greater reception than at Juan Diaz. In
fact, everywhere, as soon as the people heard of the landing of our
soldiers, the American flag was hoisted and kept hoisted, while the
Spaniards were driven from the towns where soldiers were stationed.

A large number of Porto-Rican refugees now began to return to the
island. These were men who had been engaged in revolution, and had been
deported by the Spanish Government. Their progress to their homes was a
continual ovation.

The returned refugees had a conference with the leading citizens and
there was no doubt in any one's mind but that ninety per cent. of the
people was in favor of annexation. They felt that the United States was
their deliverer, and they would rather join the American Republic than
have self-government.

There was also a conference between the most prominent citizens of
Ponce, and Mr. Hanna, the American consul at San Juan.

The Porto Ricans had views which they wished to have presented to the
United States, and were anxious to play some part in the new order of
things and to hold some of the offices themselves. They were
particularly desirous to know about the American school system and as to
the possibility of introducing it into the island. They wished that
their children should learn to speak English. Mr. Hanna explained the
public school system of the United States, and the Porto Ricans were
greatly pleased at what they heard. Then they again brought up the
question of how they could participate in the reorganization of the
island.

"Gentlemen," said Mr. Hanna, "the best thing you can do is to get
together and find out just what you want. You have, of course, very good
ideas as to what the American system of government is. You no doubt by
this time know whether you desire to be attached to the United States as
a territory, with a representative in our Congress. You may differ on
the point of having Americans for your own officials here during the
time that the government that is to prevail here is being put into
shape. But you can safely leave your wishes in the hands of President
McKinley."

A New York Herald correspondent has some interesting things to say as to
the new Ponce, a town which is representative of the entire island:

"Ponce, only yesterday the base for our military invasion, is to-day the
American capital in the West Indies. Ponce is deep in the second stage
of political evolution.

"Ponce is learning the English language. Po