Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-06-08
OWNERS NOT INCLINED TO ACCEPT
REASONABLE RATES.
Result II to Cause Great Delay to the
Philippines Expeditions-A Sec
ond Batch of Transports
Expected to Get Away -
ON Saturday.


and docks on the water front were crowded
with people anxious to witness the de-
parture of the formidable fighting machine
and the collier which is to accompany her.
Every steam whistle on the water front
blew farewell, and as the two vessels
moved down the harbor toward the Golden
Gate the crowds on the wharves set up
a mighty cheer. The Monterey has always
been a great local favorite. but the pros
poets are that she will never again enter
this harbor, as she is to be permanently
stationed In the vicinity Of Uncle Sans
colonies in the East. i.
Nearly $4,000 was paid out to-day to
the volunteers from Pennsylvania and Col !
orado. All day long lines of men were re-
ceiving the money due them for a months
past service and for one months service IN
advance. i !
That the second expedition to the Phil /
ippines will not leave here before next
Saturday seems almost certain at this
writing. Stores, supplies and ammunition
are being placed on board, but the work
will hardly be completed before the end
Of this week, though 1t is stated that the
vessels will get away on Friday. The
troops which are to embark on the Colon.
Zealandia and China are ready for serv-
ice, the last equipment being delivered to-.
day.
High rates of charter and scarcity of
ships is preventing the war department
from getting the third Manila expedition
under way. The three transports engaged.
the China, Colon and Zealandia, will con-
stitute the second expedition. The fleet
will not wait for the Ohio and Centennial,
and these two crafts will comprise the
third expedition. Ship owners are de-
manding extravagant prices for steamers
and they will not be met by the war de-
partment. Unless some Of them make
reasonable proposals, 1t is a foregone con-
clusion that a number Of steamers will be
seized and drafted into service.
The cheapest steamer SO far secured is
the Centennial This vessel is old but sea-,
worthy, and is about on a par with the
steamer Zealandia, which is twenty-eight
years old. somewhat slow. but, for all that,
serviceable and comfortable. though an ex-
pensive vessel to operate. The Pacific Mail
steamers City of Para and San Bias may
be chartered for reasonable rates, and the
government will probably secure both. The
Pacific coast steamer City Of Puebla has
met with Official appreciation and may be
chartered. The Morgan City is regarded
as a good steamer, but the quibble is over
the charter price, though her agents an
nounce that they will do all in their power
to secure a fair proposition to put before
the government.
Rear Admiral Kirkland has received In
structions from Washington to .expedite
work on the gunboat Yorktown. 1t is the
wish Of the navy department to keep her
in Pacific coast waters. The cruiser Phila-
delphia will be commissioned on July and
the Yorktown should be ready in about
two months. The torpedo boat Rowan will
pedo boat Davis has already been launched
in Portland. They will shortly be put in
commission and the government is of the
opinion that these boats, with the Phila-
delphia and Yorktown, will give ample pro.
lection to the coast. s.-,-..~ a-'.... !
The subscriptions to the local Red Cross
fund will soon reach the $4,000 mark. At
noon to-day there was a total Of $SS,649 in
the fund.
The Call prints an interview with Gen.
eral Wesley Merritt. in which, after prais-
| ing he7troops. he says: r.
MY only complaint now Is the delay
| in the furnishing OF transports. I have
represented to the war department that
the transports are coming in very slowly.
After make the shipments Of troops con-
templated by the three ves6els-the China,
| Colon and Zelandia-I will have forwarded
to the Philippines but one-fourth of the
| command. The want of transports is the
| crying want of the expedition. Twenty
thousand men are to be sent to Manila. The
three vessels which have mentioned will
| carry only about 2,5O0. There are now on
| the way across the Pacific $500 troops. so
you can easily see the situation. do not
wish to be understood as making any COM
plant or any criticism of the war DEPART
ment. / am merely making statement
| Of facts in reply to your inquiries"
WASHINGTON, June 7.-Assistant Sec
retary Of War Meiklejohn Is rapidly shap-
ing the question of ships for the transpor-
| tation Of troops to the Philippines. It
| was definitely decided tonight that the
l'steamship Centennial will not be Of the
| fleet. as she has been found unseaworthy.
| Acting on the reports Of the vessels con-
,dition. Mr.. Meiklejohn directed that she
| be thoroughly examined and tonight re.
ceived telegram from General Merritt
| stating that Lieutenant Lopez and Naval
| Constructor Snow had examined the ,ves-
| sci and report that she is not now in sea-
! worthy condition. and should not be per,
| mitted to sail. Acting upon this informa-
ton. Mr.. Meiklejohn Immediately tele-
graphed Peter Larson, Of Seattle. owner of
| the vessel, that her charter for the gov
eminent has been Cancelled.
i 1t is probable that the war department
i will impress into government service the
steamers Senator, City of Puebla and
| Queen. of the Pacific Coastwise Steamship
Company. Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn
to-day telegraphed General Merritt to have
| these vessels inspected, with q view to
| their use as troopships, and II found suit
able to impress them into service.
In addition to these vessels, the war de-
partment has in view several ships of the
Northern Pacific Steamship Company. This
is British corporation and the vessels
nre the Arizona. Victoria, Tacoma. Col.
umbia and Olympia Mr.. Meiklejohn this
evening received telegram from the COM
lpany stating that these vessels would be
chartered to the government. on condition
Of receiving American registry, at prac.
tically the prices the war department hat
proposed for them.
La Fayette Reaches Spain.
CORRUNA, June THE French steamer
Lafayette. from Havana and Vera Cruz
arrived here to-day. Her passengers in.
clude General Blanco's aide-de-camp, whe
bears oficial dispatches to the Spanish gov.
| ernment.
1 Austrian Disorders Renewed.
VIENNA, June THE disorders over tn,
promised decree authorizing the Official. US,
OF the Czech language in Bohemia ant
Moravio, which went into effect on Marci
Is last, on the understanding that 1t shoult
II