The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-09
WILL SEIZE VESSELS
TO USE AS TRANSPORTS.
Government ia Impress Pacific Coast
Steamers in the Military
Service.

Service.
WASHINGTON, June s--The following
are the names of the vessels just chartered
by the government:
The Indiana, now at Seattle; capacity
1000 men.
The Morgan City, now at San Francisco,
capacity 1000 men.
The City of Para, which will carry APP
proximately 1900 men.
The Victoria. which Is at Tacoma.
The Olympia. which will be al Tacoma
June Is.
The Arizona, which will be at Tacoma
july TO-
The last three vessels belong to the
Northern Pacific Steamship Company. and
their charter depends upon the granting
TO them by congress of American registers.
Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn made the
original proposition for them a week ago.
but the company held ont for some time
for higher figures than the government
proposed TO give them. The terms of
charter are entirely satisfactory TO the
department. The department also has the
privilege of taking the Tacoma and CO.
lumbia. of the Northern Pacific line, II
they are needed. The former vessel will
arrive at Tacoma on July u, and the lat
ter at Portland on August Z. The charters
may not be made. owing TO the return of
vessels already started or about TO start
two mentioned Will not be taken.
A distinct point in favor of the govern
ment in the charter of Northern Pacific
vessels is the privilege given by the com
pany TO redeliver them at Hongkong. This
VIII result In a material saving to the gov
eminent, rs the vessels may not be needed
after making one trip.
Il is with considerable regret that gov
eminent officials have been compelled 10
take the initiatory steps for impressing
vessels into the service Of the United
States government. This, however, they
nave found necessary IN the case of the
three vessels Of the Pacific Coast Steam
ship Company which are desired by the
department, and which they have been I'M
able 10 secure because of an inability 10
agree upon the terms of the charter. The
vessels referred TO. viz. the Senstor the
Queen and the City Cf Puehla. have not yet
been actually impressed into the govern
ment service, but viii be II after an ax-
animation by Gen. Merritt they are found
to be in satisfactory condition FOR trans
port purposes If the question Of COM
nensation for the use Of the vessels cannot
he agreed upon between the agents OF The
government and the company, il will be
ad1udicated hereafter through the court OF
claims ar through some other method that
may he devised by the government. This
Is he first instance In which steps for the
impressment OF vessels for the use of the
government has bean taken during tho
present war. but IL is understood that the
intention Of the wa department hereafter
is 10 adopt such measures wherever there
* "A disposition on the part OF agents or
owners Of steamship lines TO e!nharrasg the
government by holding out for fabulous
prices for the charter OF ships This Will
apply either 20 the Atlantic or the Pacific
coast, as the necessity may arise. Officials
characterize the action or the companie
"a showing lack OF patriotism and con-
saeration for the interests Of the govern
nent during the present emergency. and
say that they are not disposed hereafter
10 have this interfere WITH the active and
prompt procurement Of needed vessels.
The following is a list or the vessels OBJ
tanned hy the war department and those
in prospect, all for use on the Pacific coast !.
Australia. City If sydney City Of Picking
China. Colon. Iaalanaia. Ohio Indiana
Morgan CIty. City Of Para Tacoma. CO.
iumbia. Olympia, Arizona, Victoria, sena
tor. Queen. city Of Puebla.