Lusty cheers greeted the men of a native Porto Rican battalion as they marched along with swinging gait in the parade that supplied the most picturesque feature of the second inauguration of President McKinley. Americans greeted as fellow Americans these men who, three years ago, were subjects of the King of Spain, but now belong to Uncle Sam. Certainly the Porto Ricans have well deserved the reputation of being ardent believers in American imperialism. After the fall of Spanish power in Porto Rico, General Miles reported that on his march to San Juan the people had literally overwhelmed him with their offers of service under the American flag. Had he possessed the arms, and had there been the necessity, General Miles is reported to have said he could have secured fifty thousand natives as volunteers against the Spaniards.