The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-05-21
OFF FOR THE PHILIPPINES
CITY OF PEKIN EXPECTED TO sAIL
BEFORE NIGHT.

plies to Rear Admiral Dewey-Thc
Steamers City of Sydney and Australia
to Follow-Another Vessel, the Zea-
Iandia, Chartered Yesterday-She Can
Carry 500 Men.
Washington, May 20.--Advices re--
ceived at the war department to-day
indicate that by tomorrow night the
City of Pekin, which is to carry troops
and supplies to Manila, will have start
ed from San Francisco. Over 1000 men
will be aboard her. Following the City
of Pekin will be the steamers City of
Sydney and Australia, which the de-
partment was advised to-day, will be
turned over tomorrow ready for load
ing. This work, it is hoped, can be ac-
complished in a few days.
Secretary Meiklejohn to-day char
tered another vessel to be used for
transporting purposes. This is the
Zealandia, Of the Ocean Steamship
company, which can carry 800 men. She
is of $500 tons burden. The Zealandi
is now sailing under foreign flag and
Mr.. Meiklejohn has communicated with
| congress with a view to legislation that
will give her an American register.
General Merritt was at the war de-
partment nearly all day in consulta-
tion concerning the troops which are to
be allotted to him for the work he has
in hand. Up to this time it has been
decided to give him the greater portion
of the Fourteenth infantry, now on the
Pacific coast, the entire Eighteenth and
Twenty third regiments of infantry,
two batteries from the Third artillery
and four troops of cavalry. The re-
| mainder Of the expedition will be made
| up of volunteers.
Nothing Of special interest was given
out by members Of the cabinet after
to-day's meeting. The Philippine ex-
| pedition occupied a considerable por-
| t1on of to-days meeting. General
Greedy, who is organizing signal SER
vice for the Philippine expedition, was
at the White house about an hour dur
| ing the cabinet meeting. The discuss
| sion as to the Philippine expedition
bore on what the United States troops
| would encounter there. Statesments
as to the troops which General Mer-
rftt's forces will have to cope with were
| submitted. They ranged from 5000 to
| 10000 Spanish soldiers, but the conclu-
! sions reached was that the number
could be successfully counted on asS
about 10000 men. The force already Sc
| lected to go with General Merritt was
believed to be more than adequate to
cope with these troops, who were
I thought to be in none the best condi-
! ton as to discipline or equipment. If
the number was found greater the 4d-
ministration would send as many men
as would be wanted to reinforce those
about to start with General Merritt.
The department published in the
shape of consular reports to-day some
statistics from United States Consul
Williams at Manila. They show that
last year out of 322 vessels Of all kinds
departing from the Philippines "a were
from the United States, 100 from Great
Britain, 20 from Germany and Az from
! Spain. The arrivals were about in the
same proportion. Mr. Williams last
report is dated April 2, showing most
| flourishing condition Of the Manila cus4
toms, the receipts for February last ex-
ceeding by $67,940 the receipts for the
| corresponding month Of 1887.