The record-union., 1898-06-11

SAN FRANCISCO, June 1O.-The ru-
NOR that Camp Merritt is to be removed
to the PreSidio seems to have little
foundation in fact. General Merritt's
aides say they have heard nothing of
such change, and that it is not in
the Line of probability. The water
supply at the Presidio is inadequate
for such large number of troops, and
it is said that should it be decided to
again transfer the camp, that Benicia,
near the Mare Island Navy Yard, and
not the Presidio, would be the spot Sc
lected.
The transport Zealandia. is loaded to
the water line with provisions and
other supplies for Manila. Work on
the China and Colon is progressing sat
isfactorily, and the Morgan City can
be made ready in a short time. In
spite of activity among the steamers,
there is still doubt as to the sailing
date. though definite" unofficial an
nouncements have frequently been
made that the fleet will leave next Tues
day or Wednesday.
All efforts are being made to secure
as many transports as possible to con-
vey the troops to the Philippines, and
a board of officers has been appointed
10 inspect possible Vessels. IL the NeS-
sells inspected by the board are found
to be suitable for the service required,
the board will so inform the depot
Quartermaster. If the vessels inspect
ed are found unsuitable, a report in
writing showing the nature of the de-
fects will be made to the Department
The Depot Quartermaster will provide
the material and labor necessary to fit
the vessels for service.
So far as is now known the third Ma
Mia fleet will consist of the City of
Para, Ohio. Indiana, Victoria, Olympia
Arizona and possibly the City of Pue-
bla. The steamship Peru is the next
Pacific Mail vessel due from China. She
Is an American ship and may be taken
for transport The City of Rio de
Janero and the Alameda are also likely
to be chartered or impressed into SER
vice when they arrive from across the
Pacific.
The Government has fixed the fol-
lowing war valuation on Pacific Mail
steamers already taken: City of Pc
king, S6J0,O00: City of Sydney, $40
600; China. 10000 Colon, $3.50. 600
II any of these vessels should be de-
stroyed by the enemy the Government
would have to pay the valuation. If
any OF the vessels are lost by the ac-
tion of the elements, the company must
stand the loss.
The third sailing expedition will
probably be comprised of the regular
troops now here, whose organizations
are being rapidly filled up to the war
strength. The four batteries of the
Third Artillery, commanded by Major
Hess. the six troops of the Fourth
Cavalry, under command of Colonel
Kellogg and Major Rucker. and the
companies of the Eighteenth
and Twentythird Infantry not includ-
ed in the next expedition will be Sc
lected first, in accordance with General
Merritt's plan of taking all the best
trained regular troops as the advance
guard of his army. Colonel Morris
Fourth Cavalry, will dispose OF his sur
plus recruits by sending thirty to Troop
f. Boise Barracks. Idaho, and forty
two for Troops D and H, at Fort Yel-
1owstone, Montana.
The 500 recruits from Georgia can
not reach this city before tomorrow
night The trains We're delayed on
the desert. Troop A. Fourth United
States Cavalry, from Walla Walla, will
get here in a day or two. The Nevada
cavalry will also arrive soon.
conference will be held next Mon