The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-28
OFF FOR MANILA.
Departure of the Third Military Ex.
petition to the PHILIPPINES.


SAN FRANCISCO, June 27-Another fleet
of transports has sailed out through the
Golden Gate to the broad Pacific This af-
ternoon the third fleet of vessels loaded
with soldiers and supplies for the Philip
pines hoisted anchor and amid the screech-
ing of hundred whistles and the changing
of bells and the booming of cannon pro-
ceeded down the bay towards the ocean and
by night will be we'll on their way to the
Philippines.
The orders to get under way were issued
shortly after noon, but it was nearly 2:3O
before the anchors of the transports were
hoisted and the propellers set in motion.
The first movement of the vessels compris-
ing the fleet was the signal for the crowds
which congregated along the docks to COM
mence cheering the departing soldiers and
for the steam whistles along the city front
to scream their good-byes to the ships and
men who are going to Manila to protect the
interests of their country and to spread the
doctrine of freedom on the other side of the
world. Tug boats small bay crafts of all
kinds lowered around the big steamers and
some went even close enough to permit their
passengers throwing oranges and other
things to the soldiers gathered on the decks
of the transports.
The scene on the transports was a thrill
ing one, the men were perched in the rig
ging like so many insects and handkerchefs
and flags waved and futtered from every
portfolio and spar. AS the vessels proceeded
slowly down the bay the noisy demonstra-
lions of the people on shore became more
pronounced and increased until the din was
awful and added to the noise of whistles and
bells was the booming of many cannon from
the batteries at Fort Mason.
The ships which left to-day carried about
1900 men, under command of General Ar
thur Macarthur who has made the steamer
Indiana his flagship. The City of Para the
Ohio and the Morgan City were the other
vessels to sail with the Indiana The
steamer Valencia was not ready for sea to-
day and will probably sail with the steamer
Newport on Wednesday. General Merritt
and his staff will proceed to the islands on
the Newport, which has been especially pre-
pared for the service.
The gunboat Bennington, which arrived
here yesterday from Honolulu, is now at
Mare Island, where she will be thoroughly
overhauled in dry dock. Her future move
ments doubtful. but her. officers hope
to be ordered to Manila. The war vessel
brought the largest consignment of mail
ever received here at once from the Ha-
waiian islands 1t consisted mostly of private
letters from volunteers bound to Manila, but
as the Peru and Coptic which left Hcno-
lulu before the departure of the Benning-
ton, have already arrived here. she brought
no news of the islands. The officers of the
Bennington speak in the highest terms of
the conduct of the American soldiers in
Honolulu. They were not allowed to spend
cent and they got al thew wanted IN cat
and drink. There not a single instance
where the hospitality of the islanders was
abused.
Now that the third expedition is under
way attention is being directed TO the
fourth. and much interest Is manifest
whether it will consist of all the troops
here or a division. The general opinion is
that an effort will be made to rush part Of
the troops off. as II is the desire to avoid
any contact with Camara's fleet. A prom
inent officer said to-day that the matter