The San Francisco call., 1898-06-10

military point of view which would re- suit from the encampment of the troops on land wholly under the con- trol of the Government.
 At Camp Merritt certain regulations cannot be enforced without violating the ordinance against closing the pub lie streets On the Presidio the mili- tary authority is absolute and unques- tioned. Regulations to exclude dis reputable men and women may be en- forced It was said by a prominent of ficer yesterday: We can exclude lewd women from the camp on the Presidio which we cannot do at the camp on the Bay District"
 It was ascertained last evening that all the regiments to arrive will be en- camped on the Presidio, and as soon as practicable the troops now at Camp Merritt, not included in the next Ma nila expedition, will be moved to the reservation. Hereafter closer atten- tion will be paid to the observance of sanitary rules.
 The action of the medical department of the army in taking steps to improve the sanitary condition of Camp Merritt is commendable and timely. If the neglect obvious at Camp Merritt should be repeated at Manila the results might be appalling. The Call yester- day directed an expert examination to be made of the camp and its drainage facilities. Following is the report of the expert:
 Camp Merritt is without proper sew craze facilities.
 The streets on the boundaries of the camp have sewers. Those in what was originally the Bay District track are without sewers. The plan for caring for the sewage of the camp consists in the construction of vaults for closets four for each regiment. These are dug ten or twelve feet in depth and each day are filled partly with sand and freely sprinkled with chloride of lime.
 "In nearly every regiment the cook tents are close against the vaults and the stench arising from the latter is quite noticeable. Small holes are sunk in the ground near the kitchens into which the dishwater and in many cases the garbage of the camps are dumped.
 ''The detail for disposing of the gar haze seems wholly inadequate, for in many camps piles of garbage are in evidence. notwithstanding the fact that garbage cans are provided for its re- ception.
 habitants, occupying one-tenth the enace ordinarily occupied by the same number of civilians. The camp IS With out sewerage facilities. and this In the midst of homes is a subject for consid- eration by the health authorities.
 Major General Merritt was a busy man yesterday at headquarters, Department of the Pacific. When asked if starI he had re, e, War urging hasty departure of the Phil ippine expeditionary forces, he replied that no such messages had been received.
 The sailing orders, as announced in The Cali yesterday, have not been changed. ,l,tIe nne copsiet sgudetVf of five ships
 Major General Merritt was vas, the G. chief chic ITnion Club last evening. under the direc- ton of Mayor Phelan. The general de- clined public banquet on the ground that he had not yet accomplished any thing In the present war to justify a pub lie function in his honor. He remarked fo the banqueting committees that he might feel like accepting a public dinner on his return. provided that he accom- nIished something at Manila, At the lit- lie affair last evening he met forty agree able citizens of San Francisco. gen. fleman who attended the dinner remarked that it was "dignified and impressive"