The San Francisco call., 1898-05-21
N E AJOR OSCAR F. LONG, U. s. A,
 MI chief quartermaster of the de-

MI chief quartermaster of the de- Nl partment, yesterday received a wire from Washington that the Zeal andia of the Oceanic Steamship Com pany had been chartered by the Gov ernment for transport service in the Philippine expedition. There is talk of chartering other vessels, but no defi- mite announcement of further engage ment in this respect could be made yes terday. The fitting of the Zealandia for the voyage will be of the same char acter as that which has proved so ac- ceptable In the case of the Australia Patent berths will be installed and other features of comfort introduced.
 The Zealandia's regular run will be taken by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. The Doric will be the first vessel out.
 Regarding the City of Pekings fit ness for carrying troops without dis comfort to the men 1t was remarked by Major Long yesterday that the ship had been prepared for the expedition under the personal supervision of Cap tain Gibson of the United States navy and MT. Schwerin, an ex-officer of the navy. The ship had been inspected by the Sanitary Commission and by Gen. erals Merriam and Otis The Govern ment has now decided to limit the number of soldiers to go on the Pe- king to one regiment. The former plan was to send a regiment and battalion on this ship. In consequence of this change much of the space for berths will be given to cargo, and the men will not be crowded. It is said that
 ,,x,Tr h .1, been removed and the Chinese crew discharged. Changes have been made to insure perfect ventilation by ad- hitting an abundance of fresh air and exhausting the impure atmosphere.
 General Merriam, commanding the Department of California, has been ad- vised that the extensive barracks at Benicia, which can comfortably shelter 1000 men, are now vacant and can be used if desired. General Merriam be- leves that the incoming troops should be encamped in San Francisco, where the supply department and subsistence stores are established. It is thought to be better to have all the troops for the Manila expedition concentrated here under the immediate direction of the officers appointed to command the forces It is estimated at department headquarters that the space on the Bay District ground is ample for 10000 men. As troops go forward to Ma nila places will be vacated which may be filled by regiments arriving later
 Concerning the mishap to the Charleston. Irving M. Scott remarked yesterday that he had taken condenser tubes from his own ship to enable the Government to make the needed repairs on the cruiser The Charleston was constructed fourteen years ago and no doubt new cOndenserS were needed, but the fact remained that the Government plant at Mare Island was not able to supply condensing apparatus. In all the rush of war preparations the man agers of the Union Iron Works have not been solicited to rush the work of any ship at their yard On their own motion the Scotts have advanced the work on the torpedo-boat Farragut and will soon have the vessel ready for service.
 The change of climate and open air fife have given the troops on the tented field of the Presidio an anDetite that the army ration hardly satisfies. There Ie some complaint that the food Is not sufficient in quantity for the demands of these robust youngsters The in- adequacy of the ration may be due in Q measure to the inexperience of the regimental commissary officers and the company commissary regiments, but whatever the cause may be. the fact still remains that troops encamDed in California should have all the food they want. Tn the volunteer distribution of fruits and dainty good things the men from Washington and Oregon may rot have been so bountifully provided for es the men of the California organi- cations. whose friends and kin folk daily troop out 10 the camp with of per,ngs of good things to eat. It would he in good form and in line with broad nrinciples of hospitality for our reople hora ,n San Francisco to pay especial nt+ar+for +o the wants of the ragi- n,ents from other States thsn Califor- hia-