New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-16
PACIFIC CAMP NEEDS MANI S'i '
BEFORE TROOPS CAN LEAVE
FOR MANILA.

FOR MANILA.
Con Fr,ncisco. May 15-Au night long the
min which commenced falling yesterday hoon'
continued to drench the three thousand men
damned at the Preside, awaiting orders to pro-
coed m Maniln 10 relieve Admiral Dewey. Inc
Presid,o Is a sea Of mud, and the troops, most
Of whom lack proper clothing TO WIN
stand the cold and damp. are sunering greh''s ;
but the men do not complain Although the"
fonts are surrounded by miniature lakes anu
small rtyuets course through the camps, under-
meath cots and shaisedown beds not whin1per
is heard
Inst night was the most disagreeable one yet
experienced by the men; fires would not outh'
and the troops had to content themselves WIN
cold lunches and an occasional cup oI not coi
fee which the good people or the heu SrosS
prepared for the shivering soldiers Al
though blankets In plenty had been Distributed
during the day little sleep was obtainaoie o" =
Ing to the Inconvenience with which the men
had 20 contend The sentries suffered most OF
all All day yesterday and last night they
tramped steadily up and down their beats. wet
10 the skin Most of them lacked overcoats, put
one by one they were supplied with this COM
Portable garment by their more fortunate com
rades who could get under the shelter or tents
time in which TO do IT that it has been impossible
for the officers to look after every detail, ana
they were much Handicapped owing to their In
ability to secure the articles necessary for the
comfort Of the men. the stocks Of local mer-
charts being depleted early in The week.
The Charleston Is sill at Mare Island and
nothing definite can be learned regarding the
time Of her departure. or whether or not she viii
{ ,l,e 1tf,s ia
been chartered 70 take the supplies and men to
Admiral Dewey.
Il has been given out at the Preside. uno'-
Really. that the first shipload OF men WIN leave
tomorrow or TUESDAY but this is impossible
unless the men 60 almost totally unprepared Tor
the duties they may be required to perform in
the Philippines They have not beer supplied
with sufficient clothing. and ammunl-
ton. The troops need shoes oyerccats. under
clothing rifles and ammunition. II has been
determined ~ the officers TO ask FOR Krag
Jorgensen rifles. and z these cannot be secured
No ISL modern Springnelds Will be requested.
The Quartermaster's Department is unable TO
supply the thirty days ratons necessary for
the first mo this service. and these must 10
secured before any II the troops can leave.
The city OF Picking doubtless will be the first
vessel ordered the Philippines, and she Is
not In condition TO receive the troops. a large
force Of men 70 a. work on her. however. and
she VIII be- prepared for the reception o. men
on twenty four hours notice. orders have been
received to get the fret regiment ready for de-
parturc. but this cannot be done until the neces-
sary supplies have been received. several small
steamers and schOOners arc engaged in trans
porting supplies from Mare Island 10 this city
for loading on the ieking
The steamers Australia, City Of sydney and
Ohio are being gradually prepared for ser
vic. as trans ports. but IL will take at least
week or ten days before they will be ready FOR
sea Il Is given out to-day that the steamer
Conemaush has not been chartered b ythe Gov
eminent, as previously stated
Nearly three thousand troops from Minnesota,
Colorado Utah and oregon Will arrive here on
Wednesday and Friday next. and VIII 60 into
camp at the Preside The 18th Infantry Regi-
ment Of Minnesota. comprising ten hundred and
eighty men ana officers. VIII leave st. Paul to-
morrow and arrive here on Friday morning.
one complete regiment rom Colorado. num-
bering over one thousand men; battalion from
Utah numbering several hundred men and Of
ncers. and another special tra!nload or men
from Oregon will arrive here Wednesday morn
ing
The transportation OF troops and supplies is
testing The carrying capacity Of the southern
Pacific Company's lines 10 the limit. and there
is n shortage Of passenger cars in consequence.