The Mena star., 1898-05-25
SAILS FOR MANILA.
Steamer Charlston Given Big 0va. tion on Leaving San Francisco.
Explanation as to Delay in Sending Soldiers to Aid Dewey-Three More ships Leave Steamers Ready to Transport
 Soldiers to Cuba.

Steamers Ready to Transport
 Soldiers to Cuba
 SAN FRANCISCO. May 23. - The Charleston is we'll on her way to Manila. The big cruiser passed through the Golden Gate at s:20 o'clock yester- day morning, after having been an. chored in the stream all night. She adjusted her compasses at an early hour and then passed up the bay through the Raccoon straits and past the docks on the northern frontage of the city. Every steam vessel in the harbor blew au revoir to Capt. Glass and his crew. None of the forts in the harbor saluted the vessel but the de- monstration made by the 6, 900 soldiers gathered at the Presidio was tremen- dous. When the vessel was sighted coming down the bay the soldiers gathered on the beach to bid her bon voyage. They lined the beach for mile and cheer upon cheer rang out from the men who are to so soon fol low the Charleston to the scene of Ad- miral Dewey's triumph. The Charles toms big siren answered the boys on the beach time and again and the whistling was heard from one end of the city to the other. Never has war vessel leaving this harbor received such send-off as was given the Charleston.
 Transports Scarce on Pacific Coast
 WASHINGTON, May 24.-Much com ment and some criticism have been caused by the delay in forwarding troops to the Philippine islands to sup port Admiral Dewey. Both the com ment and the criticism had their origin in the desire of the people that the fruits of Dewey's victory at Ma nila should not be endangered by any Jack of assistance from the navy or war department. 1t is known now that troops would have been sent to Manila before this had it been possi- ble for the war department to secure transports on the Pacific coast. The utmost difficulty is being experienced by the department in obtaining such transports. The coastwise trade on the Pacific is not large as compared with that on the Atlantic, and a ma jority of the vessels engaged in the trade are Of foreign register. Of course, ships flying a foreign flag can not be used as transports by the gov ernment, as such use would constitute a violation of the neutrality laws of the nation whose flag the ship bore.
 Troops to Help Dewey.
 SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. May 24 The preparations for the first expedition to Manila are absorbing the energies of all the military departments of the state as we'll as the enthusiasm of the people. Nothing remains to be done but to finish loading the three vessels the Pekin, Australia and Sydney. The first expedition will be divided on the three vessels as follows: The City of Pekin, 59 officers and 1,044 men; the City of Sydney, 24 officers and gro men; the Australia, 37 officers and 646 men. The troops assigned to depart on the Australia and the City of sydney were ordered to report at the docks of their respective vessels at eight o'clock this morning. The organization of the second expedition to the Philippines will not be determined until the ar rival of Gen. Wesley Merritt. who is in command of the whole expedition and who will reach this city at the end of the week.
 chips Ready for Cuban Invasion. TAMPA, Fla, May 24.-Everything waits on news from the fleets. When the long g-looked-for and long-hoped-for meeting between Admirals Sampson and Cervera takes place-and military officers do not for a moment question the result-it is the general belief that orders will be given to put the army on board the transports at once.
 For Sampson and Dewey.
 READING, Pa, May 24.-On rush telegram from Washington, the Car penter steel works sent 150 13-inch projectiles destined for Sampson's fleet. These weigh 1900 pounds each and will go through anything Spanish afloat. Over 800 projectiles of some what smaller size are on hand and they go to San Francisco for Admiral Dewey, at Manila. The 13-inch pro- jectiles are popularly known as "Mc- Kinley's peacemakers.
 Is the Cadiz Fleet to Sail?
 GIBRALTAR, May 23. An unconfrmed rumor is in circulation here that the Spanish squadron at Cadiz is about to sail for Cuban waters. A Spanish battery of artillery has arrived at San Roque, seven miles northwest of Gibraltar. and has been placed in posi-