The record-union., 1898-06-23
Practically Decided That Gen. Mer-
ritt Will Go With the Fleet.
Gov. Budd Names as the Twelfth Company Of
the New Regiment Of California VOL.
unteers to be Formed Company
{ Of Santa Rosa.

now practically decided that General
Merritt and his staff and headquarters.
including a large force of clerks, Will
take passage on the Newport with the
fleet that is to sail next Monday. The
War Department has been notified that
the third expedition of six transports
will sail on Monday, June 9TH, but the
eXpeditionary authority here still hold
to the privilege of two days more. 1t
is thought that they may not get off
until Wednesday, although every effort
will be made to follow the date given
to the War Department
The remaining expeditionary forces,
command of Major General E. s. Otis,
and will sail for Manila as soon as the
additional transports necessary can be
secured.
No troops have yet been selected to
go to Manila on the Newport. The
steamer will not hold a full regiment,
but there are no smaller organizations
in camp except the Utah cavalry, the
Astor battery and one, battalion of the
Fourteenth regulars The latter is COM
posed largely of recruits. Aa battalion
each from the Eighteenth and Twenty
third Regiments is to form part of the
expedition, and it is possible that the
remainder of either or both of those
regiments will be ordered aboard the
Newport. General Merritt Will have
a nah him baf cta
several regiments will begin to send
baggage to the vessels, but no troops
will embark.
Major General Otis says that the
troops for the next expedition will prob
ably embark before Sunday He quali-
fies the statement with the condition
precedent that the transports be ready
before Sunday to receive the members.
Shipping circles are very much con-
cerned in the news sent from Mashing-
ton that the Government intends to
give the army officers here free hand
to impress ships for transport re-
sources. There is a scarcity of ocean,
going ships at the present time on the
coast, and if the Government takes
possession of fifteen more vessels,
which number it is estimated is re-
CURED. business will receive a heavy
blow, but the owners viii be unable to
do anything in the matter. They are
all willing 30 help the Government in
every possible way, and it is not a
question of terms, but simply that own
70
ter their ships when it meant an abso-
lutte tie-up Of their business.
Major General Merritt to-day receiv-
cd orders from the War Department. at
Washington to organize the troops of
the Philippines expeditionary force into
ali army corps to be known as the
Eighth Whenever he deems such ac-
tioE advisable General Merritt is in
structed to turn over his command 20
Major General Otis. The new corps
will probably consist of three divisions.
two to be made up of the troops Of
the First, Second and Third Manila
expeditions, and the Third Division 70
be composed of all the troops going with
Major General Otis OF the fourth and
IaSt eXpeOllPOil. bIISduicr 0eIefdl
King will probably be the commander
of this division.
Major General Merritt who still ex-
poets to sail on the Newport next week.
will not likely relinquish command OF
the new army corps for several motnhs,
or until his duties as Governor Cen
eral of the Philippines interfere with
the discharge of his military duties.
Rrigadier General II. G. Otis has re-
ceiyed his official orders to accompany
the third expedition to Manila. He is
removed from command of the Fourth
Brigade, and Colonel A. S. Frost of the
South Dakota regiment is now in
charge of the regiments of the brigade.
The new regiment of California vol
unteers, which, according to the orders
of Governor Budd, will be taken equally
from the Second and Fifth Regiments
of the National Guard, will be mus
tered in as rapidly as possible. In
order to save expense, the Captains of
the twelve companies have been ordered
to have the physical qualifications OF
their men passed upon by local doctors.
This will not do away with the exami-
nation of the men on arrival at the
Oakland camp, but will prevent many
who are manifestly disqualified from
adding to the expense of assembling the
regiment
E. s. Heller of this city will be Quar-
lContinued on Eighth Pase.l