The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-31
MERRITT TAKES COMMAND.
Preparing for the Second Expedition
to the Philippines.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 3o-Maj. Gen.
wesley Merritt. commander of the Manila
expedition army forces and governor gem
eral of the Philippine islands. moved his
headquarters from the Palace Hotel to the
Phelan building to-day He and his staff
occupy the rooms that have been the head
quarters of Brigadier General Otis who to-
day moved with his staff to Camp Rich
mond. where rented headquarters mad been
prepared for him General Merritt issued
an order to-day formally announcing that
he had taken command of the PhiIippine
forces and expeditions.
The work of preparing the steamers Ze-
landia, China and Colon for the reception Ct
troops is promising, though rather slow
The Zeiandia needs very little alteration to
hit her for service and can be prepared for
sea in forty-eight hours, providing her cargo
has been slowed and trimmed. The China is
still unloading at her dock. but a force of
carpenters is at work fitting hunks and
making other necessary repairs and the
same may be said of the Colon. The steam
ers Centennial and Ohio which. with the
three vessels named, make up the five yes
sells TO comprise the second fleet of trans
ports; have not yet arrived from Puget
sound. 1t Is not expected that the fleet can
leave here before the middle of next week
at the earliest. 1t is understood that the
Monterey, which is being coaled at Mare
island, will get away by the end of the
present week.
The question of what regiments will make
up the second expedition TO the Philippines
Is agtating the men at the camp greatly
They all want TO go, but as there are al
ready over twelve thousand men and more
coming and the second expedition is to~be
made up of only five thousand men, there
will be many disappointments. There are
now five volunteer regiments ready--the Col
orado, the Seventh California. the Mime
sofa, Nebraska and Pennsylvania Every
possible effort to get them into shape for
service has been made and. in view of this
activity to get these regiments fully
equipped ii looks as if they. with the regI-
lars now here, will constitute the major por-
ton of the second expedition.
Memorial day was comparatively quiet at
Camp Merritt, Fort Richmond is now
known Considering that ii was a holiday
the crowds which visited the city of tents
occupied by the soldiers did not reach the
proportion expected. The parade of veter-
ans and volunteers divided the population
but, nevertheless the boys out at the camp
were besieged by an army of admiring peo-
pie, few of whom visited the camps empty
handed. in spite of the orders issued by
Major General Merritt to the effect that no
more goodies" were to be given to the men
under his command. Ii people did not take
good things TO eat they took bouquets of
flowers, which pleased the recipients as
much as sweets and other delicacies The
Eastern men are particularly grateful TO
the givers of California flowers and every
tent gives a place to some receptacle for
blooms which they admire so much Wash
basins, tomatoe cans, coal oil cans. and In
faet.s anything and everything that will hold
water. Is filled with flowers at all times