The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-15
MILES CALLS FOR SHIPS.
IATEFToAN SHIPOWNERS WON'r
oHAhTER TO UNCLE sam.

TheS want ts seiI-HrItIsh owners oRsr
Plenty. but the REGISTRY HiI Has Get
Ield Ne somehow-siz British Ocean Llsers
oGerea for the Psrts RIeo RKpedItIen.
WAntod-For charter by the United States
Government, fifteen large, 6ne steamers to be
used for transporting troops and live stock.
For nearly two weeks Major J. w. summer
hayes, Assistant Depot QuArtormaster at New
York, has been trying to charter such vessels.
So far he has secured just four. and Of these
only two were American ships, the Lampnsas
and the Nueces Of the Mallory line. The other
two, the Arkadla and Catania, wore British
ships, only recently admitted to American reg
istry.
There are plenty OF steamships. but the owners
seom to have decided among themselves that.
while they arc quito willing to cell their vessels
to the Government, at . price which they con-
older fair. they Are not willing to charter them.
Tho worst Of It IT," said an army ofloer
yesterday, that this applies only to American
ship owners. Apply to the companies owning
ocoan-goings steamers and they will toll you that
they have no Bhips for charter, but they are
quite willing 70 soil. Their price has usu-
ally been found, upon inquiry, to be so
high that the Government wouldn't think
Of considering 1t. On the other hand, there are
plenty OF British steamships that might DO had
for the asking. These vessels cannot be char
tered. though, until they are admitted to Amer.
lean registry. A measure providing for the adj
mission Of foreign ships to American registry
was introduced in Congress some time ago. For
some reason 1t has never become a law. No
body seems to know why It 10 being held Zip.
Perhaps some OF tho American shipowners can
toll. AS 1t is now, special legislation for every
ship applying for American registry 10 required.
Tho Government lie particular about tho kind
OF ships 1t charters for transports. They must
DO in good condition; they must DO Of iron or
steel; they must DO fairly swift, and, II possible,
their bottoms must BIO sheathed with copper to
prevent their becoming foul after service In
tropical waters. There are plenty OF such ships
having American registry, but. as 1 said. tho
owners have thus far been unwilling to charter
them"
Gen. Miles telegraphod to New York yester-
day to hurry the transports to him at Tampa or
Key West, with all possible speed. He asked
particularly for six ocean liners. He specified
that these vessels should be capable of carrying
live stock. The names Of six vessels of a certain
transatlantic limo were sent to him. with their
dimensions. He telegraphed back to send them
along at once. The vessels were all Of British
register, however. and they cannot bo chartered
without a special act Of Congress In each case.
The owners were perfectly willing to charter
them, but they feared tho ships drew too much
wator to be used for the purpose Intended. Tho
draught Of each vessel was teleEraphed to Gen.
Miles.
1t was learned yesterday that, unless the
plan Of tho War Department 10 changed,
the transports wanted will be used, in great
part, to transport Con. Coppinger's command
to Porto Rico. This expedition. 1t was stated.
will not be started until Santiago has been
taken and tho Spanish feet In the harbor there
10 eithor captured or destroyed. In tho mean
time. some Of the transports may DO used to
send additional troops to Cuba.
To-day Major Sumnerhayes will examine the
Caracas and the Philadelphia of tho Red D line.
1t was rumored last night that the British
steamer Ailswald, which reached Quarantine
late yesterday afternoon. was ordered by her
agents. Spence & Young. to proceed at once to
Tampa. The rumor carried with 1t the impress
sion that she has been chartered by tho Govern.