The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-27
About Fifteen More Steamers Are Re-
quired, and the Government Has
Only a Few I'm Sight.
MERRITT At SAN FRANCISCO
WORK OF FITTING OUT THE MON
TEREY TO BE HURRIED.
Spanish Advices from ManiIa-Insur-
gents on the Warpath-MOn-
tejo's Ships Rotten.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26.-The trans
porting of fifteen thousand troops to the
Philippines has set the government agents to
work securing the Pacific ocean for trans
port vessels So far only 1900 troops have
been sent to Admiral Dewey's assistance.
There are seven thousand more in camp
here and four thousand more to come.
About fifteen more transports are required,
together with a half dozen golfers. The sec
ond expedition will not leave San Francisco
for fully three weeks, unless the transports
are sent out by twos and threes. In the lat
ter event the Zelandia and China (if the big
liner is finally chartered) might be made
ready to sail in about ten days time. So far
as the Zelandia is concerned it will not take
long to fit her up. The big steamer was
towed to the iron works yesterday where
she will be locked and cleaned. A force of
ship carpenters was put on board of her
as soon as she was turned over to the gov
eminent.
The vessels so far secured for the second
expedition are listed as follows: China, will
carry 1.500 men; Centennial, $50; Zelandia.
LOCO; Ohio, 1000 men; Peter Jebsen (re-
named Brutus) collier, could be converted
to carry about 300 men; Ming Chow, same as
Jebsen. Total number of, men, 1850 To this
fleet must be added a number of large YES
sells carrying the remainder of the army of
invasion. 1t is not thought that the invasion
Will be rushed after the first twenty thou
sand men have been landed at Manila There
Is large number of steamers in the coast
trade, but the steamship companies cannot
reinquish all of their floating property. The
list of available" may contain the follow
ing craft that are in position at or near San
moi or n
carry 1000 men; Senator new, $50; City of
Paris (due June s., 1000; City of Puebla
1000; City of Columbia, 1000 Oregon, 500
Santa Rosa. 800; Morgan City, 800; San
Bias, 800; st. Paul new, 80; Wellington
(collier) could be converted. $50; Indiana, at
the sound, 1000; Roanoke 0eft yesterday
for sound), 800. The Golfers San Mateo and
Mineola might be secured from the Pacific
Improvement Company to send coal to the
fleet. By the time the second fleet is fully
under way 1t is thought that the first ships
chartered will have returned. The total
number of men that could be carried on the
ships named is about twelve thousand.
The troops of Utah cavalry arrived this
evening and went into camp at Fort Rich
supplied with clothing and other neceSsa-
rles by donations from local business men.
The kansans served for some time in their
own State before coming here and had no
opportunity to repleniSh their wardrobes.
Each member of the Thirteenth Nebraska
volunteers to-day received S. the money
having been appropriated by the Legislature
of that State.
The Red Cross fund now amounts to ST.
IA A contribution of 81 600 was received to-
day from Claus Spreckels.
Orders have been received to place the
Yorktown and Philadelphia in commission
as soon as possible, also to transfer the boys
from the training ship Mohican and to fill
up that vessel with seamen and ordinary
seamen.
The United States steamer Philadelphia,
after being thoroughly refitted, was UNI
locked at Mare Island navy yard this after
noon and the Monterey took her place on
the dock. The bottom of the Monterey will
be scraped and painted, after which she
will be ready for her trip to Manila.
The collier Peter Jebsen (renamed Brutus),
purchased by the government with her
cargo of 1880 tons of coal, for $270,000, is
also being prepared for sea. Her boilers
In excellent condition. Rapid-fire guns were
put on board at once She will make the
trip to the Philippines in company with the
Monterey. A crew of naval militia from
San Francisco, numbering fifty-six, has
been ordered to the Mohican, which will de-
part soon with ammunition and stores for
the Hawaiian naval station. There are now
at the navy yard fifteen United States ships,
as follows: Philadelphia, Monterey, York
town, Alert, Mohican, Pensacola, INDIE
pendence, Unadilla, Monitor, Comanche,
Hartford, Thetis, Ranger. Mimi Chow and
Peter Jebsen.
of the Philippines, arrived in this city to-
night. All future movements Of the Manila
expedition will be subject to his orders
General Otis will accompany the second
expedition; which is expected to sail within
three weeks The work of equipping the
troops will now be in charge of Col James
W. Pope, chief quartermaster of General
Merritts staff. who also arrived this even