The record-union., 1898-05-25

| and he hopes that this will not be
| necessary, but that the companies Will
| come forward promptly and offer their
vessels to the Government at reason
| able rates. 1t is believed to be likely,
however, that a recommendation viii
/ be made to Congress granting an
American register to the Tacoma,
| Victoria and the Ardylle of the
Northern Pacific Steamship Line, so
that they may be fitted out for
use as transports as promptly as
possible. The steamer Ohio, a yes
sci of 1920 tons belonging to the
Empire Transportation Company,
has been offered to the Gov
| ernment, and the question of her ac-
ceptance is under consideration. She
is at Seattle. A large number of ships
have been offered to the department at
reasonable rates, but they were in
such condition that the officials
promptly refused them on the ground
that it would not be safe to send
troops in them.
Should the Government decide that
American register be given to all six
vessels of the Northern Pacific Steam
ship Company, and they be secured for
transport purposes, these, with the five
ships already secured, and the China,
Colon and Ohio would furnish accom-
modatiOns here, for between $4,000 and
600 men-just about the number
which the War Department will send
to Admiral Dewey. An effort win be
made to secure these boats, but it is
plainly set forth by Mr. Meiklejohn that
the officials will not lose further un
necessary time but will instead ask that
American register be given certain for
eign vessels or else impress American
steamers into service.
A dispatch was received by Adjutant
General Corbin late this afternoon from
Major General Otis at San Francisco,
which conveyed to the War Department
very gratifying information. The dis
patch is as follows:
The steamer Sydney with the troops
on board and prepared to sail, is anch-
ored in the bay beside the City of
Peking. The Australia is loaded and
expected to leave her dock at o'clock
this afternoon and anchor in the bay.
l am not sufficiently informed when
the Peking will complete loading naval
stores, but understand that it will be
this evening. The hour of departure of
the three vessels depends upon the
naval authorities. The strength of
General Anderson's command is III of
ficers and 23S2 enlisted men. The
naval contingent consists of II officers
and I6 enlisted men. Total for the
three vessels 12S officers and 2,43S en-
listed men"
Assistant Secretary of War Meikle-
john received a dispatch from Arthur
Sewall at Bath, Me, candidate for Vice
President on the Democratic ticket in
1896, Offering on behalf of Arthur Sc
wall q Co. the ship Roanoke, now at
San Francisco, to the Government for
transport purposes. The Roanoke is of
3,549 tons register and has a capacity
of 5000 tons.
Mr.. SeWall says the ship can be fitted
up for about $500 men and 800 tons
of freight. She is now under charter
for New York, but Mr.. Sewall expressed
the opinion that he can arrange to can
eel the charter if the Government is in
need of more vessels.
Secretary Meiklejohn Immediately tel
egraphed to San Francisco that an in
spection be made of the ship, and if it
should prove satisfactory the Roanoke
probably would be chartered.