The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-19

| San Francisco, May 1S.-The Charles
ton has not passed through the Codes
Gate at 5:45 o'clock this evening, al
though she left Mare Island shortly af-
ter 10 o'clock this morning, bound for
Manila. 1t is generally understood that
her compasses are being adjusted near
Angel Island, but there may be other
reasons for the delay, as this opera
ton usually requires but two or three
hours. Her commander may be await
ing further instructions from the de-
partment at Washington, as mis- vessel
is within easy reach of the government
boat which plies between this city and
the garrisOns at Angel Island and AL
catraz Island.
Major General Otis, who arrived from
Denver last night, today assumed
charge of the organization, Quitting
and the sailing of the troops bound for
Manila. He held a long consultation
with General Merriam this morning,
and the first step decided on was the
inspection of the City of Pekin. which
is scheduled TO transport the first reg
iment to the Philippines. Her accom-
mOdatiOns were thoroughly examined,
and a few alterations will be made,
which Will delay the departure of the
vessel until Saturday next.
When ready for sea the Pekin will
carry lOuL 4Oul llOuIQ I1OlC41EAASS AGH4Q-
fire guns, two being placed in her bow
and two in her stern She is being
prepared for the reception of 1,400 en-
listed men, y army officers, eight navy
officers and 112 sailors. The latter, with
their officers, are to man the Spanish
ships captured by Admiral Dewey.
NOT RUSHING THINGS.
Work on the transports City of Sgd
ney and Australia is proceeding in
very leisurely manner. The former YES
sci is being cOaled and painted, and a
few carpenters are at work in her in
terror, but that is all. Unless a force Of
mechanics is put at work on her at
once the vessel Will not De ready to
leave for a week or more Little IS be-
ing done on the Australia, but as she is
less in need of repairs and alteration
than the other vessel il viii not take so
long TO fit her for service when orders
are once issued to get her ready for de-
parture.
There are now nearly 1000 men
camped at the Preside, and nearly as
many more Will be here by the middle
of next week. The second battalion of
the Oregon volunteers, under command
of Colonel Summers, arrived here today
from Portland. and were received with
great enthusiasm. They are a fine body
of men and are better equipped than
any Of the soldiers that have arrived
here from other states. They We're met
at the ferry depot by the Second artil-
lery band, and headed by a platoon Of
police. They marched up Market street
TO Van Ness avenue, thence to the Pre-
sidiO, where they We're enthusiastically
received by the soldiers already en-
camped there. There were $50 men and
officers in the second batch of men
from the WebbfOOt state.
The health of the men camped at the
Preside is generally good. in spite of
the hardships and exposure that the
men have mad TO endure. There are one
or two cases of incipient pneumonia and
a few cases OF fever, but that is about
all. One man from McMinnvtlle, Ore,
has been stricken with some disease re
sembIing measles. but the army ply
are not at all sure that this is
his malady. He has been Quarantined
as a matter of precautiOn.
Special notices to Pacific coast mari
ners were issued today by the hydro
graphic service to the effect that all the
principal ports on the Atlantic seabOard
have been mined with tOrpedOes, and
warning has been given TO captains of
vessels that an infractiOn of the law
may result in the shore batteries opens
ing fire on the intruding vessel