The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-09
VESSELS FOR MANILA
DEPARTMENT. HAS CONCLUDED TO
IMPRESS SHIPS.
cured TO Convey Troops Across the
Ocean TO Reinforce Dewey.

Washington, June s.-Assistant Sec.e-
tary Meikiejohn OF the war department
announced with considerable satisfaction
today that the problem Of securing an ade-
quate number of transports for troops 10
| the Philippines appeared to have been
j solved. He made this statement after hay-
1 ing chartered six ships in addition 10 those
already secured and has taken steps to OBJ
! tain five more II the latter are secured
the war department will have at its dis
posal altogether eighteen ships for tie
| Philippine expedition, enough 10 accom-
modate in round numbers as many thols-
/ and men should they be put to that use
exclusively. AS some Of them, however
VIII carry cavalry and some artillery the
actual number OF men the ships Sili take
| may be reduced somewhat and some Of tie
esse-s in all probability viii make seq
ond voyage before their charters are can
celled.
| AS result OF the acquisition OF the ad-
uluon2l vessels extraordinary activity IA
htiing them out for the WORK intended will
be started ana no time via be lost il
| preparing for the third and lst.r eXpedi
uons Tor the reinforcement OF Admiral
Dewey.
The following are the names OF the YES
sells Just chartered;
The India now at Seattle, capacity 1903
! men, tho Morgan City, now al san Fran
CISCO capacity 1909 men, ana the City Of
Para, which will carry approximately 1860
men.
The Victoria, which is at Tacoma. Wash
ths Olympia, which viii be az Tacoma on
the 18th instant. and the Arizona. which
Will be at the same place on the 10th OF
July. These latter three vessels beong to
the Northern Pacific Steamship company
and their charter depends on the granting
10 them by congress OF an American reg
lister.
Assistant Secretary Meilkleiohn made an
original proposition for these ships over
week ago, but the company held out for
some time for higher figures than the gov
eminent proposed TO give them. The terms
OF the charter are entirely satisfactory 10
the department.
The department has also the privilege OF
taking the Tacoma and the Columbia Of
the Northern Pacifc line II they are
needed.
II is with considerable regret that the
government offieia,s have ben eompereI
to take the iniiiatory steps for impressiny
vessels into the service of the United
States government. This however. they
nave found necessary In the casa Of the
three vessels OF the Pacific Coast Steam
snip company which are desired by the
department and which they have been un-
abe to secure because OF an inability to
agree upon the terms OF the charter. Tbs
vessels referred to. The Senator. Tho
Queen and tic CITY c. puebla have not
yet been actually Impressed into the CIV.
eminent service. but viii be. II upon ex-
ami alton by General Merritt. thew are
subject to be in satisfactory condi ion for
transport purposes. II the matter Of COM
pensa'ion for the vessels can not be agreed
upoA between the representatives Of the
COMPANY and TIE governm mt the subject
Viii be left to board Of adjudication here
after to be anpoiuted through the court o,
e'aims or through some other methods
which mAy be deNisaH hv The -n..arn.a...