CHAPTER III
The People of Puerto Rico
Their attitude toward the invading Americans — The proclamation of General Miles — Justice and the private soldier — Depravity of the native masses — Men and women of the better class — Local attributes of life — A hint to the weary.
BEFORE proceeding further with the story of our advance, it may interest you to know what manner of people we found the Puerto Ricans to be, and how they behaved toward us who came to them as dogs of war.
When we were first on the island, there is no doubt that the mass of the population regarded us with acute distrust, if not with dislike and fear. But the prompt measures taken by General Miles to disabuse their minds of any preconceived ideas of ensuing rape, robbery, or desecration, did much to soothe the more ignorant and childish of the
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