The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-08
OFF FOR MANILA.
The Monitor Monterey and the
Collier Brutus
Sail to Join DeWey's Fleet in
the Philippines.
Il CAPACITY OF OWNERS
Of Ships is Delaying the Send
ing of Troops.
Government May Soon Begin to
Seize What 1t Needs.
RAPACITY OF OWNERS

San Francisco, June S.-The principal
event in the local war situation was the
departure of the monitor Monterey and
the collier Brutus for Manila. yester-
day. The order to get underway was
issued about 1 o'clock and shortly aft
erwards the wharves and docks on the
water front were crowded with people
to witness the departure of the form
liable fighting machine and the collier
which is to accompany her. Every
steam whistle on the water front blew
a farewell and as the two vessels NOV
ed down the harbor toward the Golden
Gate, the crowds on the wharVes set up
a mighty cheer. The Monterey has al
ways been great local favorite, but
again enter this harbor, as she is to be
permanently stationed in the vicinity
of Uncle Sans colonies in the east.
Nearly 100000 was paid out today to
the volunteers from Pennsylvania and
Colorado. All day long lines of men
were receiving the money due them for
months past service and for one
months service in advance.
That the second expedition to the
Philippines will not leave here before
next Saturday seems almost certain at
! TINS writing. Stores, medical supplies
and ammunition are being placed on
board but the work will hardly be COM
pleted before the end of this week.
though it is stated that the vessels will
get away on Friday. The troops which
are to embark on the Colon, Zealandia
and China are ready for service, the
last equipment being delivered today.
Hlgh rates of charter and scarcity of
shlps is preventing the war department
from getting the third Manila expedi-
ton under way. The three transports
Ola, will constitute the second expedi-
ton. The fleet will not wait for the
ONO and Centennial, as these two craft
| VIII comprise the third expedition
| snip owners are demanding extra
giant prices for steamers and they will
not be met by the war department.
Unless some of them make reasona BILE
| proposals, 1t is foregone conclusion,
! that number of steamers will be seiz-
| ed and drafted into service
! The cheapest steamer 50 far secured
! is the Centennial. This vessel is old
| but seaworthy and is about on a par
with the steamer Zealandia, which is %
years old, somewhat SLOW but for all
/ that serviceabIe and comforta BILE, though
| an expensive vessel to operate The
! Pacific Mail steamers, City of Para and
| San Bias may be chartered for reason
able rates and the government will
probably secure them The Pacific
| coast steamer City of Puebla has met
| with official appreciation and may be
| chartered. The Morgan City is re-
| garded as good steamer but the Quib-
| bic is over the charter price, though her
agents announce that they will do all in
their power to secure fair PROPOSE
! ton to put before the government
| Rear Admiral Kirkland has received
instructions from Washington to ex-
pedite work on the gunboat Yorktown.
! 1t is the wish of the navy department
to keep her in Pacific coast waters. The
cruiser Philadelphia will be commits
stoned on July 1st and the Yorktown
should be ready in about two months.
| The torpedo boat Rowan will soon be
tested in Portland and the torpedo boat
! Davis has already been launched in
Portland. They will shortly be put in
commission and the department is of
! the opinion that these boats with the
Philadelphia and Yorktown will give
ample protection to the coast.
| Word was received at army head
| quarters that the 500 recruits from
Georgia would arrive early Friday
morning.
News was also received that two bat
teries of the Sixth United States artil-
/ lery have been ordered to this city.