The San Francisco call., 1898-05-04
READY TO
 AID DEWEY
 AT MANILA Troops at the Presidio Anxiously Await
 Their Orders. Belief That Regulars Will Be Sent to the Philip
 pine Islands. Quartermaster Long Is Max
Quarternaster Long Is Max ing Diligent Inquiry for
 Transportation.
THE ANGEL ISLAND BAND.
Musicians of the Third Artillery Came Over Yesterday and Gave
 Music at Retreat.

Aside from the feeling of suspense pre- vailing among the regular army stationed at the Presidio there is very little of inn portance going on. Each mail, however, Is expected to bring orders from General Merriam, commander of the departments of California and the Columbia, which 1t is hoped will break the monotony of wait ing and give some definite information re- garding the future movements of troops stationed at and near San Francisco. Many of the officers signify their earnest desire to go to Manila, and 1t is reasoned that such officers as may be designated by the Government to go with the troops from this coast should be selected from among the regular army officers stationed here, on account of their being at the nearest military post to the Philippine Islands and because they believe it to be the most feasible plan to adopt; be- sides, there Is the consideration or both time and expense.
 The artillery officers located at the va rious military posts in the harbor Of San Francisco, said to be the most efnclent Of any in that branch of the army, are especially anxious to make a practical demonstration of their ability, and for that reason desire to be sent to some point where there is a possibility or an early opportunity to do so-
 In speaking of the encampment or Cali fornia volunteers on the reservation, the officers as a unit express themselves as being emphaticalIy opposed thereto, but for sanitary reasons only. The place said to have been selected is west or the GolI Links, and lies adjacent to the lake rom which the Marine Hospital and military post water supply is obtained, and Is the natural watershed from the drainage or which the lake is supplied. It IS therefore believed to be a dangerous place to make camp as the seepage would impregnate the water of the lake and thus 1mper1I the lives of the men. Point Lobos and Polnt Bonita were suggested as being well adapted for the purposes of a camp; be- sides affording excellent landing places from the water, both points should be garriSone6
 The army regulations governing the po- hcing of military posts are being strictly enforced at the Presidio, and no one need be surprised to be commanoea to nit ndIr anu in The reservation. While visitors have not been altogether excluded. they are, how ever, kept at reasonapie qlstattoT inoatad iioii
 A portion of the road formerly used mas been closed to the public, and sentrles have been posted there 10 stoR aia aa,.,or,o miio as have been furnished with the neces, sary pass will be permitted to go beyond certain established lines
 ieIItenant Colonel Morris yesterday afternoon received a dispatch from the War Department at Washington lhstruGl- 1i- ing him to re-enlist Private Healy TOT the Third Cavalry and send him to Chicka- manga at once to join the regiment there.
 Some excitement was caused yesteToaS by the capture of man n the aGt oI stealing bottles from the Canteen. As the hoftIes were discovered to be empty, his captors concluded that the man must be demented, so after investigating the matter Lieutenant Nolan nad the culpllI escorted from the reservation
 The Third Artillery Band came over from Angel Island last night TOT perma- nent station at the PreSldlo-
 Captain Long, U. S. A., acting chief ouartermaster of the Department of Cal ifornia. yesterday made many inquirles
 s-Ioi,1 mi carrying capacity of vessels in port. It is surmised that the Government intends to charter ships to transport troops ana supplies to the Philippine Islands.
 The detachment of men sent from Wil- lets Point. N. Y. to join the Engineer Corps of the Pacific Division Isi, is now at work planting torpedoes and subma- rine mines for the defense of San Fran
 TALLEJO, Cal. May S.-It is reported at the navy yard that the cruiser Charles ton will go into commission Thursday morning and immediately thereafter she will get under way for the Philippines. She is expected to convoy to the Orient, under all possible speed, one or more of chased in San Francisco, which will be loaded with ammunition, coal, food, cloth 'A Hieutenant c. M. Perkins expects to lead one hundred marines now at the bar racks to the support Of Commander
 The Charleston was given thorough test to-day and was found to be in per feet condition for service. ..
 Lieutenant Moses of the Marine Corps left here on Monday evening for Norfolk navy yard. From there he will go to Cuba.
 The torpedo tubes have been removed from the bow of the Philadelphia and the vessel will be docked on Thursday.
 Cards were sent out to-day for orders for the making of eight thousand cart ridge bags for 5-inch guns.
 The number of men employed at the navy yard in all departments Is now 1859
 SEATTLE, May 3.-It is stated that ne gotiations are pending between the Gov Company for the purchase of the steam CTS Queen and Senator, which are to be used as transport ships in case troops are sent to Manila.