Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-06-02
NEED MORE SHIPS.
Big Fleet of Vessels Necessary to
Transport Remainder of Re-
Inducements to Dewey.

San Francisco, May 27.-The trans
porting of $4,000 troops to che Philip
pines has set the government agents to
work securing the Pacific ocean for
transport vessels. So far only 1900
troops have been sent to Admiral
Dewey's assistance. There are 1000
more in camp here and 10000 more to
come. About Is more transports are
required, together with a half dozen
golfers. The second expedition will
not leave San Francisco for fully three
weeks unless the transports are sent
out by twos and threes. In the latter
event the Zealandia and China Gf the
big liner is finally chartered) might be
made ready to sail in about ten days
time.
The vessels so far secured for the Sec
ond expedition are listed as follows:
China will carry 1900 men; Centennial,
$50 men; Zealandia, 1000 men; Ohio,
1000 men; Peter Jebsen (renamed Bru-
tus), collier, could be converted to carry
about 300 men; Ming Chow, same as
Jebsen. Total number of men, 1850.
To this fleet must be added number
of the army of invasion. 1t is not
thought that the invasion will be rushed
after the first 10000 men have been
landed at Manila. There is large num-
Der of steamers in the coast trade, but
the steamship companies cannot relin-
quish all of their floating property.
Key West, Fla, May 27.-Soon after
the sailing of Rear Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron, Commodore Schley's squad
ron having gone to the south of Cuba
a day or two before, there were left at
Key West II vessels of war, these con-
sisting of converted tugs and auxiliary
gunboats of small size, but considerable
fighting power. Far back in the harbor
are the captured Spanish vessels, swing
ing at their anchors and affording the
sailor man happy prospects of large
prize fund. The prize vessels consti-
tute a fleet almost as formidable as
that waiting at Fort Tampa to carry
the troops to Cuba, and in view of the
fact that these 81 transports can only
accommodate from $4,000 to 10000
troops, army men are wondering if the
Spanish steamers might not be made
available for the purpose. The work Of
fortifying Key West has gone along
rapidly.
At Tampa there are now about Is, 900
regulars and many thousands of vol
unteers. There are daily arrivals of
troops at Tampa, Port Tampa and Lake
land, but some of the volunteer regi-
ments have not yet received their COM
plete accoutrements. though they will
soon be forthcoming. The southern
portion of Florida is beginning to re-
alize how difficult a matter it is to sup
ply this great army of new residents
with necessaries and comforts. Here
at Key West, after dry season of five
months, the rain has come at last and
renewed the drinking water supply.
This at least was an opportune vista
ton of Providence, and with it all the
soldiers are making merry. At Tampa
they are tenting in the small hills about
the town, strictly disciplined, kept
closely to regulation diet. with not
much amusement, anxiously waiting
for the order to move on Cuba. This,
it is generally believed by army men,
will not be received at an early date,
for there is, first of all, the estate of
Florida expedition" to be heard from,
an expedition to supply Gen. Maxine
Gomez with arms and ammunition.
There are a score or more additional
transports to be harbored in Tampa
Bay, under guard of the gunboat Hell
ena. Additional thousands of troops
are to be modified in southern Florida,
and the oueStiOn of Droperly arminp
them has become, it is said, one of no
little seriousness.
Chickamuga National Park, Ga, May
81. - Including Thursdays arrivals
there are now $4,000 men encamped at
the park. The various commands are
beginning military life in earnest. All
the regiments that are permanently
encamped here were given regimental
drill Thursday, and this will! be con-
tinued from day to day.
Field Uniforms of the Army.