The record-union., 1898-05-27
PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION.
More Steamships Needed to Convey
Troops to Manila.

w WASHlNGION,M May ZO-1lttle prog
ress was made by the War Department
officials to-day in securing transports
for the Philippines expedition, the only
addition being the Ohio a good sized
vessel, which will rapidly be transform
ed SO as to make her a valuable vessel
for carrying a large number of men
and animals. Assistant Secretary Mel
klejohn is still negotiating with the
agents of the Northern Pacific Steam
ship Company for the chartering of the
six vessels Of that line. He has fixed
an upset price which the Government
will pay for these vessels, and this fig
ure has been cabled BY the agents here
to the owners of the vessels in London.
The company does not seem disposed
to let the Government have it's vessels
at a material reduction from that which
American vessels can be obtained.
notwithstanding the fact that the War
Department will recommend to Con-
gress that an American register be
given to the Northern Pacific vessels
if they are chartered by the Govern
ment
There are many valuable considera-
tions, Secretary Meiklejohn point out.
which inure to the company's ships by
being placed under American register,
as it gives them the benefit of the
United States navigation laws, These
are such, he feels, that the company
should be willing to charter the vessels
to the United States at a lower figure.
There are now three vessels ON the
Pacific Coast chartered by the Govern
meut suitable for the second expedi-
tion to the Philippines. Such of them
as are not already there will be ordered
to San Francisco promptly to be put
in shape for the work for which they
are intended. 1t is hoped that this
may be done by some time next week,
SO that another detachment of $500
men will be sent to reinforce Admiral
Dewey
VESSELS SECURED AND AVAIL
ABLE.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 2G.-The
transporting of $4,000 troops to the
Philippines has set the Government
agents to work securing the Pacific
Ocean for transport vessels. So far
only 1900 troops have been sent to
Admiral Dewey's assistance. There are
1000 more in camp here, and 10000
more to come. About fifteen more
transports are required, together with
a half dozen Golfers.
The second expedition will not leave
San Francisco for fully three weeks,
unless the transports are sent out by
twos and threes. In the latter event
the Zealandia and China Qf the big
liner is finally chartered) might be
made ready to sail in about ten days
time.
So far as the Zealandia is concerned
it will not take long to fit her up. The
big steamer was towed to the iron
works yesterday, where she will be
docked and cleaned. force of ship
carpenters were put on board of her
as soon as she was turned over to the
Government. They will convert the
tween decks into quarters in a few
days times, and the ship will be ready
to receive her supplies and men. The
vessels so far secured for the second
expedition are listed as follows: China.
will carry 1,500 men; Centennial. 75O
men; Zealandia, 1000 men; Ohio, l 900
men; Peter Jebsen (renamed Brutus),
collier, could be converted to carry
about 300 men; Ming Chow. same as
Jebsen. Total number of men. {. $50
To this fleet must be added a number
of relief vessels capable of carrying the
balance of the army of invasion. II is
not thought that the invasion will be
rushed after the first 10000 men have
been landed at Manila. There is a.
large number of steamers in the coast
trade, but the steamship companies
cannot relinquish all of their floating
property.
The list of 'availables" may contain
the following craft that are in positions