Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-05
GOVERNMENT WILL RUSH COAL AND
SUPPLIES TO MANILA.
TWO STEAMSHIPS CHARTERED
IMMENSE STOCK OF AMMUNITION
WILL BE TAKEN.
There Will BE q Total of More Than
2OO,OOO Projectiles-If Troops Go
They Will be From states
West of the Rocky
Mountains.

Washington. May 4.-The navy de-
partment has now secured two Ves-
sells in San Francisco. the Australia
and the City of. Pekin. which will be
loaded with coal ana supplies and rushed
off to join Commodore Dewey's fleet.
Whether or not they will carry troops will
be determined positively when the commo-
dore is heard from upon this matter.
The navy department is hurrying together
er an exceptionally large stock of ammu-
milton to &c forward by the City Of Pekin
to recruit the ammunition of Commodore
Dewey's fleet. The first shipment of pro-
jectiles left New York yesterday. and ad-
ditional shipments will be made until the
full quota of powder and shot will be in
San Francisco within the next few days.
There will be total of more than 10000
projectiles of various caliber and weight.
For the four big eight-inch guns of the
Olympia there will be 500 eight-inch steel
armor piercing projectiles, weighing about
800 pounds each.
For the six-inch guns of the Olympia,
Baltimore and Boston and other ships there
will be 1000 steel projectiles. The other
shipments will include about 10000 six-pound
rifle balls. 1900 flve-inch shells, 1900 three
pound balls and 5000 one-pound balls.
The navy department is fortunate in hav-
ing laid in an ample stock Of projectiles of
all weights and sizes, SO that there will be
no delay in getting a full supply ready for
shipment to Commodore Dewey. The sup
ply of powder is not so readily obtained,
as powder has been distributed to the sew
eral fleets and ships as fast as 1t has come
from the powder mills. But, owing to the
emergency in the case Of the Asiatic fleet,
powder intended fo- other uses will be for
warded to San Francisco and sent to Com
modore Dewey.
Should it be decided finally by the presi-
dent to send troops to assist Commodore
Dewey to hold Manila the war department
officials say that the small number Of reg
ular soldiers available are ready to move.
It Is thought, however, that If troops are
sent they will be made up largely from
the volunteer forces that could be con-
centrated at San Francisco from various
states west of the Rocky mountains. Such
regular troops as might be available are
several companies OF the Fourteenth infan-
try. stationed at Vancouver barracks (the
larger portion of this regiment being in
Alaska), the Eighth cavalry at Fort Meade,
s. D.: the Fourth cavalry, some Of which
are at Vancouver, and others in Califor-
MIA, and the Third artillery, also located
on the coast. 1t is believed however, that
the officials would be disinclined to part
with the artillery, as 1t may be needed
for the defense Of the Pacific coast, and
they do not think it at all likely cavalry
would be sent because of the great expense
detailed in the shipment of the horses and
the lack of transportation facilities.
San Francisco, May 4.-The steamship
City of Pekin, referred to in the Wash
1EYtOn chor fo <olyn
the troops to Manila, is now en- route
from Hong Kong and Yokohama, and IL
due here on the 7th inst. She is owned
by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
and is one Of the largest vessels in Pa
cific waters. She was built at Chester.
Pa, in 1874, is 42S feet long, forty-eight
foot beam, twenty-seven feet depth of hold.
She has cargo capacity Of 4,5OO tons, and
can easily accommodate 1000 troops The
City of Pekin is not noted as a swift ves-
sci, but could probably average fourteen
kncts an hour across the Pacific.
Much interest is being manifested in local
shipping and commercial circles regarding
the vessels available for the purpose of
transporting troops from this coast to the
Philippines. For several days past gov
ernment officials have been quietly making
inquiries and interviewing representatives
of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
]. d. Speckels. Bros. & Co., Goodall, Per-
kins & Co.. and other steamship companies
with that end in view. While no definite
action has so far resulted, It is evident
that negotiations are already under way
for the requirement by the government OF
some oc the finest vessels sailing from this
port.
In addition to the City Of Pekin, which
1t Is understood has already been secured,
the Australia. which ran for yeaSs be-
tween this city and Honolulu, is most cas-
lily available as she has been laid up for
over month past. She could easily be
fitted up to accommodate at least 1000
troops. The Mariposa, which arrived last
night from Sydney. could also be turned
over to the government at short notice.
The City of Sydney. now en- route from
Panama, is due here on the 9th, and is re-
garded as one of the most probable char
ters by the government, as she has room
for at least 1900 troops. Among the others
which could probably be utilized are the
crack vessels of the Pacific Coast Steam
ship Company's fleet, the Queen, City OF
Pueblo and Santa Rosa. the Senator and
the Alaska Commercial Company's new
steamer st. Paul. There are plenty of col
liers on the coast Mlicn cotti.