The herald., 1898-06-05
AN UNSEAWOR1 HY CRAFT
TO CARRY TROOPS
TO MANILA
Centennial NOT WELL NAMED
For the Vessel Was Built Quite Little
Less Than Half Cene
tury Ago
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
SAN FRANCISCO, June 4.-The charter
ing of the steamer Centennial to carry
troops and supplies to the Philippines has
created somewhat of a sensation in busi-
ness circles and much adverse comment is
heard. The Centennial was built 80 years
ago, and an afternoon paper says that she
has been condemned by the British and
Japanese governments, and was sold to
Puget sound syndicate for $4,000, and that
the syndicate has chartered her to the
United States government for $500 a day.
The vessel is not rated by Lloyds and Is
not named in marine records.
The transport steamers now being pre-
pared from the trip to Manila have not re-
ceived any stores from Mare island yet.
and but for this fact the vessels could be
made ready to sail by Wednesday at the
latest. But the report is circulated at
Camp Merritt that the vessels will get
away on that day. How this is possible
is a mystery The men who are to go on
the vessels are almost ready to embark.
only a few lacking the necessary equip
ment.
The Monterey is still in the bay. awaiting
the arrival of the collier Brutus from
Mare island. The Monadnock arrived from
Port Angeles today, and will be made
ready for service at once. A large force Of
men will be put at work on her, and she
will probably be ready for sea within two
weeks.
The governor has not yet received any
instructions from the war department as
to the second call for troops. Capt. Car
rington, the mastering officer. is likewise
in ignorance Of the governments inten-
tions as to when the men allotted to Cali
fornia will be given the privilege of being
sworn in. In the meantime the army otti-
GERS are mastering in men for the regular
infantry and artillery.
The North and South Dakota and the
Utah volunteers were inspected today The
men from the Dakotas are woefully lack
ing in equipment. but the Utah men were
found to be fully equipped and ready for
service.
The Engineer Corps
SAN FRANCISCO, June 4-The COM
pany of engineers from Willett's Point go
men and three officers, has orders to re-
main here for the present and recruit to
total of 150 1t will be necessary to get "a
men. six of the company being away but
available AS this is the ranking arm of the
Service, and as the men receive a little bet
ter pay than in the infantry, no difficulty
lis expected in securing the required num-
Der on short notice.
Immense supplies of mining stores, imple-
ments, etc., are being bought, under the
direction of Capt. Potter Of the engineer
corps of the regular army. He is an expert
on the subject and will take with him to
Manila everything necessary for mining the
harbor and strengthening the Notifications.
Capt. Thompson, chief signal officer to
Gen. Merritt. is also buying largely. He
has charge Of the signal service Of the
army of invasion and will have under him
over 100 experts.
1t is probable that the different Islands
will be connected by cables, which are be-
ing purchased Armored cables of suffi-
cent strength were not obtainable here and
were sent from the East.
Bryan's Regiment
LINCOLN. Neb., June 4.-Adjutant-Gen
eral Berry has received a telegram from
Secretary Alger saying that the Third reg
iment Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, or
ganized by w. J. Bryan. has been accepted
by the government and that it would be
added to the contingent going to the Phil
ippines.
After this news was received, Mr.. Bryan
was so notified and went to Governor Hol-
combs office and a conference was held,
the outcome of which, although it has not
vi hean rI1h1tc1v annoupcad Woc tbof
Bryan was appointed Colonel Of the reg
iment and given his commission Adjutant-
General Berry at once issued the first gen.
eral order in the history of the new regi-
ment. 1t was addressed to the members
and officers, urging them to drill perfect
their organization and be ready for the
call to mobilize in this city.
Later news from Washington was to the
effect that mastering officers would be
sent here in the near future and the regi-