The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-04

Washington, September 30.-General
SchWan has been for some time past
inspecting sites for camps in the south
and is now at the war department pre-
pairing his report. He discussed the
matter Of sites briefly with General
COrbin today and was informed by
that officer that the desire of the pres
ident and the secretary of war was to
have the very best possible sites Sc
Iected for camps without regard to
whether they We're offered by the peo-
pie Of the community or whether they
We're paid for by the government. The
war department has the authority to
select and condemn ground for camps
and if it is found that desirable lOca-
tions can be secured in this way they
will be selected without regard to eX-
pense. The department is determined
to have the new camps the very best
that can be found in the south.
MCKINLEY $ TRIBUTE TO THE
SOUTHERN SOLDIERS.
Senator McLaurin. of South Carolina,
and a delegation from that state called
on the president today to urge that a
permanent camp be located at COlum-
bia, :. g., and that an army hospital
be established at Charleston. 1t was
also asked that Charleston be made the
point of embarkation for the troops to
be dispatched to Cuba and Porto Rico.
The president listened very attentively
to the claims in behalf of the state and
promised to give them consideration.
The president in acknowledging what
was addressed to him by the delega-
tiOn took occasion to pay an eloquent
tribute to the devotion and patriotism
of the soldiers of the south and said
he had not heard a murmur or COM
plant from that section.
SICK IN PORTO RICO TO BE
BROUGHT HOME.
The war department has posted the
following:
The president has given instructions
that all sick at Porto Rico be sent
north soon as they are able to travel
with safety, his purpose being to re-
1ieve General Brooke of the further
care of the sick and at the same time
enable the men to receive the treat
ment obtainable in the better appoint
eG home hospitals. These men will be
furlOughed as in cases of those return
ing from Santiago. About 700 VIII
leave today on the Relief and the Mis-
souri,"
In conformity with the above the
.quartermaSterS department issued
orders to the officers having charge OF
the shipping at New York, telling them
to send ships to Ponce equipped for
carrying the sick to this country.
There are several regular transports
now going to Porto Rico and Cuba.
Their route is from New York to San
Juan. Ponce and Santiago AS soon
I iS l.
ded to the points where the transports
will touch.
FIVE DEATHS AT PONCE.
Major General Brooke at Ponce re-
ported to the war department today
the death of five American soldiers.
which occurred yesterday.
GENERAL MERRITT'S REPORT.
The report of Major General Wesley
Merritt of the operations about Ma
nila was made public at the war de-
partment today. 1t is dated on board
the transport China, August 3lst. Al
ter giving briefly the story of his en-
barkation and arrival at Manila and
the disposition OF the troops there he
says:
Il found General Greenes command
.enCamped on Il strip of sandy lanC
running parallel to the shore of the
bay and not far distant from the beach
but, owing to the great QlluCuIlleS ol
landing supplies the greater portion
had shelter tents only and were suf
fering many discOmfOrts. the camp be
ing situated in a low, fiat place, with
out shelter from the heat OF the tropl
cal sun or adequate protection durlns
the terrific dOWnpOurS of rain so IRE
Quent at this season. | was at once
struck by the exemplary spirit of pa
tient. even cheerful. endurance show1
8 by the officers and men under sucf
"A circumstances. and this feeling OF ad
1niration for the manner in which the
American soldiers. volunteer and reg
al ufar alike, accepted the necessary
s. hardships Of the work they have un
81 dertaken to do. has grown and increas
ed with every phase Of the difficult arc
trying campaign which the troops o
III the Philippine expedition have brOugh
81 to such a brilliant and success sful con
@ clusiOn.
The FilippinOs or Insurgents forces
s# a war with Spain. had prior 10 the
rs arrival Of the American sand forces
been Waging a desultOry warfare Will
@ the SpaniardS for several months, anl
& were at the time of my arrival IN con
siderable force VaTiOusly estlma tee
ana never accurately aSCertained. Du
probably not far from 1000 men. TheS'
troops, we'll equipped with small arms
with plenty of ammunition and seVera
f1eld guns. had obtained positions o.
investment opposite to the Spanish iln'
of detached works throughout their en-
tire extent"
General Merritt then speaks Of Agu1
naldo's accomplishments previous Il
his arrival and continues: