half the number of inhabitants.  Largely Porto Rico is peopled by a better class than the mass of the Cubans.  Cuba is wretchedly provided with roads, one of the reasons why the Spaniards were incapable of putting down insurrections.  If they had expended a fair proportion of the revenues derived from the flourishing plantations and the monopolies of Spanish favoritisms that built up Barcelona and enriched Captain-Generals, and in less degree other public servants, the rebellions would have been put down.  The Spanish armies in Cuba, however, were rather managed for official speculation and peculation, were more promenaders than in military enterprise and the stern business of war.  With Weyler for an opponent, Gomez, as a guerilla, could have dragged on a series of skirmishes indefinitely.  The story of the alleged war in Cuba between the Spaniards and the Cubans was on both sides falsified, and the American people deceived.  Porto Rico does not seem to have appealed so strongly to the cupidity of the Spaniards as Cuba did, and to have been governed with less brutality.  The consequence is there has not been a serious insurrection in the smaller island for seventy years, and it falls into our possession without the impoverishment and demoralization of the devastation of war—­one of the fairest gems of the ocean.

It was October 18th that the American flag was raised over San Juan.  The following dispatch is the official record: 

“San Juan, Porto Rico, Oct. 18.—­Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.:  Flags have been raised on public buildings and forts in this city and saluted with national salutes.  The occupation of the island is now complete.

“Brooke, Chairman.”

On the morning of the 18th, the 11th regular infantry with two batteries of the 5th artillery landed.  The latter proceeded to the forts, while the infantry lined up on the docks.  It was a holiday for San Juan and there were many people in the streets.  Rear-Admiral Schley and General Gordon, accompanied by their staffs, proceeded to the palace in carriages.  The 11th infantry regiment and band with Troop H, of the 6th United States cavalry then marched through the streets and formed in the square opposite the palace.

At 11:40 a. m., General Brooke, Admiral Schley and General Gordon, the United States evacuation commissioners, came out of the palace with many naval officers and formed on the right side of the square.  The streets behind the soldiers were thronged with townspeople, who stood waiting in dead silence.

At last the city clock struck 12, and the crowds, almost breathless and with eyes fixed upon the flagpole, watched for developments.  At the sound of the first gun from Fort Morro, Major Dean and Lieutenant Castle, of General Brooke’s staff, hoisted the stars and stripes, while the band played “The Star Spangled Banner.”  All heads were bared and the crowds cheered.  Fort Morro, Fort San Cristobal and the United States revenue cutter Manning, lying in the harbor, fired twenty-one guns each.