The herald., 1898-05-27
PIGEONS FROM PfkING
REPORT ALL WELL AND THE
PROSPECTS GOOD
SEARCHING FOR TRANSPORTS
To Carry the Remainder of the FIFTY
ghousand Men to Occupy the
Philippines
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
SAN FRANCISCO. May 2s.-The follow
iag message was received from the Peking
~ carrier pigeon last night:
ION BOARD PEKING, May rs, 1888
Love to parents, wives and children, sisters,
brothers, relatives and friends. We will
ever remember the kindness, consideration
and the thoughtfulness shown by all. May
We be faithful to the trust reposed In us
and detract nothing from the distinction
won by California in this cruise.
JAMES F. SMITH,
Colonel First Regiment. California, United
States Volunteers
The Last Message
sAN FRANCISCO, May GA carrier
pigeon, Miss Dewey by name, brings the
following message to the Evening Post
from the City of Peking, sent when that
vessel was thirty miles at sea Off the Faral-
lone: Everything is working fine; all
pmens are propitious. We expect to make
good run to Honolulu.
(Signed) "W. c. GIBSON,
Commander U. g. NJ"
The Forces to Come
eAN FRANCISCO. May 26.-The trans
porting Of so, 900 troops to the Philippines has
set the government agents to work scour-
Ing the Pacific ocean for transport vessels.
30 far only 1900 troops have been sent to
Admiral Dewey's assistance. There are
1000 more in camp here and 10000 to come.
About fifteen more transports are required,
together with half dozen colliers.
The second expedition will not leave San
Francisco for fully three weeks, unless the
transports are sent out by twos and threes.
In the latter event the Zealandia and China
Qf the liner is finally chartered), might be
made ready to sail In about ten days time.
30 far as the Zealandia is concerned, 1t
will not take long to fit her up. The big
steamer was towed to the iron works yes
terday, where she will be docked and
cleaned. A force of ship carpenters were
put on board of her as soon as she was
turned over to the government. They will
convert the tween decks into quarters In a
few days time, and the ship will be ready
to receive her supplies and men.
The vessels so far secured for the second
expedition are listed as follows:
China will carry 1900 men
Centennial, $50 men.
Zealandia, 1000 men.
Ohio. 1000 men.
Peter Jebsen (re-named Brutus), collier,
could be converted to carry about 800 men.
Ming Chow, same as Jebsen.
Total number of men, 4S50
To this fleet must be added a number Of
other vessels capable of carrying the bal
ance Of the army of invasion. 1t is not
thought that the invasion will be rushed af-
ter the first 20.0 600 men are landed at Manila.
There Is large number Of steamers in the
coast trade, but the steamship companies
cannot relinquish all of their floating prop
erty. The list of "availables" may contain
the following craft that are in positions in
or near San Francisco or due at this port:
Queen will carry 1000 men.
Senator (new). $50 men.
City of Para (due June Sth), 1000 men.
City Of Pueblo 1000 men.
City Of Columbia, 1000 men.
Oregon, 800 men.
y Santa Rosa, 600 men.
Morgan City (due here), 500 men.
San Bias. 500 men.
St. Paul (new), $50 men.
wellington COLLIER. could be converted),
$50 men.
Briston COLLIER. could be converted), $50
men.
Indiana Cat sound), 1000 men.
Roanoke Qeft yesterday for sound, 800
men.
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 it
Is thought that the first ships chartered
will have returned. The total number of
men that could be carried on the ships
named above is $4,000.
The Strain Relieved
SAN FRANCISCO, May 26.-The depart
ure of the transports. steamers City Of
Peking, City of Sydney and the Australia,
with the $500 men who go to join Admiral
Dewey, has relieved the intense strain Of
the people of this city, who waited for the
departure Of the soldiers for two weeks or
more. The time for the departure of the
troops had been set so often and as often
changed that the friends and relatives Of
the men had been on the qui vive for so
long that the departure, when It finally did
come, came as a great relief to the over
wrought nerves of thousands of people.
All is quiet in this city this morning and
tense excitement Of previous days. The
people have once more settled down to busI-
ness, and the humdrum of everyday life
will go on unmolested until the departure
of the next fleet, save for the excitement
caused by the arrival Of more troops from
other states, which will be of almost daily
occurrence. But the arrival of tho soldier
boys has now become part of the routine
pf everyday life In this city, and beyond
the momentary excitement caused by the
welcomes given the visitors their coming
causes but little cessation Of business.
The ardor and patriotism of the people
have not in the least diminished however.
and everything possible that can be done to
make the incoming volunteers and those
already encamped here comfortable and
"at home" will be done. The Red Cross
Society is becoming stronger and stronger,
each day witnessing an increase in Its
working force, and the work of preparing
comforts for the soldiers Is progressing
more rapidly under the systematic geenral-
ship of the leading officers.
Only one company of volunteers is ex-
pected to arrive here today, and they come
from Utah. They represent troop Of cav
llry.
On Saturday 1920 men are expected to ar
nve from Louisiana, being the largest de-
aehment from one State to arrive here.