The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-05-21
MORE MEN TO AID MERRITT
REGIMENTS FROM TAMPA.
As Military Governor of the Philip
pines the General Wants LAR
ger Force-spRin's Expedition to
Go Against Dewey mt Manila
Purchase of British Steamers.

Washington, May l7.-Inspector Cen
eral Hughes was at the war department
today in connection with the assignment
OF troops to accompany General Merritt to
the Philippines.
The department realizes that General
Merritt viii have a delicate and import
ant duty to perform as military governor
and should have a we'll disciplined force
to deal with the discordant elements.
There are not enough regulars in the west
TO furnish what Merritt thinks would be
necessary, and Secretary Alger has been
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of withdraw
ing three regiments of regulars from
Tampa.
General Greedy is making arrangements
to send with the expedition six officers
and 30 men, made up largely of telegraph
operators and electricians.
VIII Get the Men.
New York, May ia special to the
Times from Washington says:
The attention of Adjutant General Cor
bin was called to the dispatch from New
York stating that General Merritt refused
to go to the Philippines with less than
5000 regulars and that he said he would
not leave with a lot of recruits only.
That can not be true" said the adiu-
tant general. General Merritt never said
he would refuse to 90 anywhere where his
orders carried him. He is not that sort of
man. However you may say that the
department is now arranging to give Gen
eral Merritt the regulars he wants"
General Corbin declined to say where
the regiments to accompany the Manila
expedition will come from, but as prac-
tically the entire regular army, with the
exception of few companies scattered
throughout the Indian country, which it
would be unwise to withdraw from there,
is modified at Tampa, it is considered
certain that some of the troops now at
the Florida posts will be sent across the
country to San Francisco for General
Merritt's command
Denies the Interviews.
Washington, May l7-Secretary Alger
has received telegram from General Mer-
Iitt saying the published interviews with
him in New York papers are incorrect and
unauthorized
Dewey's Purchases.
San Francisco, May II. - Hong Kong
papers received here state that as soon as
authority was Received from Washington
Admiral Dewey bought the two large
British steamers Nashan and Zeafiro for
transports, with the understanding that
they were to be cleared of their cargoes
within "A hours. The price for the former
was not given, but for the Zeatiiro the
United States paid $4,000. 1t is said
Dewey drove a good bargain as he Sc
cured a clause that the former owners will
take back the ships at the close of the
war at a good price.
The rebellion in the Philippines has
scattered to the island of Cebu, the center
of the hemp and sugar trade. 1t is stated
all foreigners other than Spaniards are
safe and that the natives will not seek to
modest them.
Ordered to the Raleigh.
San Francisco, May II. - Lieutenant
Commander Thomas b. Phelps, Jr., u. S.
n, has been detached from the command
Of the United States naval recruiting office
and rendezvous in this city and ordered
to depart ON the City of Pekin for the
Asiatic squadron, to take command of the
United States steamship Raleigh.
Mules Wanted.
st. Louis, May IA telegram was re-
ceived from Washington last night by
Lieutenant Colonel Smith, the head of the
quartermaster's division in this city, or
dering the immediate shipment of l2O
mules to San Francisco to 90 with re-en-
forcements to be sent to Rear Admiral
Dewey at Manila. The mules are heavy
draft animals and were shipped last night.
Making Uniforms.
San Francisco, May l7.-MajOr Long of
the department of California said last
night AT least 10000 workingmen and
women in San Francisco are today occu-
pied on government contracts. We have
ordered 5000 uniforms, identical in color
with the ordinary fatigue uniforms, but
lighter in weight. We have also ordered
1000 canvas uniforms for wear i'll Ma
Mia, all to be delivered in few days"
Last night the ordnance department of
the First infantry received 100000 rounds
Of ammunition. There are now 100000
rounds at the camp.
/ Lieutenant Delamore Skerrett, recruit
ing officer of the Third artillery, Z. S. A.,
has already enlisted 600 of the 800 re-
cruits wanted for that regiment.
More Appointments.
Washington, May l7.-Among the nom
nations sent to the senate today were: