The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-11-24


First New York Regiment Will be
brought back from Honolulu as fast as
transportation can be provided, and
on their arrival will be sent to New
York. The military authorities have
become alarmed at the prevalence OF
sickness in the regiment Typhoid is
epidemic, and with dysentery is filing
with patients the hospitals at Homo
lulu, both military and civil. The
death rate at Camps Mckinley and
Otis has increased rapidly during the
past month. Gen. Merriam received a
report of the conditions OF the camps
from Col. Barber by the Australia. He
was SO impressed with the serious con-
dition OF affairs that he Immediately
telegraphed the Secretary of War his
recommendation that the New York
Regiment be relieved at once from
duty and brought back to the CONT
nent. Yesterday an answer was tele-
graphed from Washington approving
Gen. Merriam's recommendation, and
directing that they be carried out
titles here have not yet been advised
as to what will be done with the New
Workers On their return to the East,
but the general belief among the oEs
hcers is that they will be mustered out
at once.
Col. Barber, the chief officer of the
regiment as we'll as the commanding
officer OF the District of Hawaii. is re-
lieved of the latter distinction by the
Washington order and will return with
his regiment.
The departure for Manila of Gen.
King and his command on the trans
port Arizona will leave as garrison of
the post only the battalion of engi-
neers, who now share Camp Mckinley
with the New Workers. On the de-
parture of Col. Barber the command Of |
the post and district will fall upon |
Maj. William c. Langfitt, in command |
of the battalion of the Second Regi- |
ment OF Volunteer Engineers. 1t is be- |
lieved here that Maj. Langfitt will only |
be a temporary commandant, and that |
an officer OF higher rank will soon be |
detailed for that position.
Immediately on receipt Of the order /
General Merriam sent for Depot Quar-
termaSter Long to advise with him as
to means of transportation for the
New York Regiment. Col. Long made
a preliminary report later in the day.
He found that ships could be secured
so that the regiment could be landed
in San Francisco between December
9th and 18th. 1t is probable that
contract viii be made for the use Of
the Australia TO bring a part OF the
regiment
Regarding the condition of Camp
Mckinley a prominent officer said |
yesterday: Gen. Merriam has feared
for some time that sickness would
greatly increase in that part OF the
camp occupied by the New York Regi-
ment. When he was there many weeks
ago he noticed the uncleanly condition
of the surroundings. The sinks were
in bad condition, and refuse was al
lowed to accumulate in the streets. On
the other hand, the engineers who
camp by the side of the New Workers,
kept a camp as clean as could be. As
a result they have had no deaths and
scarcely any sickness. An officer OF
the engineers told Col. Barber at that
time that typhoid would make its ap-
pearance among his men within a
month. Just two weeks later il broke |
out, and is now epidemic"
Ali of the New York boys about |
town were delighted to learn that they |