Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-20
TO TAKE PRISONERS HOME
Bids for Carrying spaniards Wanted From
Shipping Companies.
The Guartermaster General Prepar.
Ing to Return the Troops From
the Philippines.

One of the last articles of the treaty of
Paris provided that the United States
government should carry back to Spain
the Spanish prisoners of war in the
Philippines. Moreover, a rather unusual
condition, it was provided that the
United States government should I'M
dertake this task without awaiting the
| ratification of the treaty. The War De-
partment has therefore begun the eXecu-
ton of plans to carry out this pledge, the
first step being to issue invitations for pro-
posa1s from shipping companies for the car
riage of the Spaniards. This is what was
done in the case of the Santiago prisoners,
and a result of the bids then received
the War Department made its eminently
satisfactory contract with the Spanish
Transportation Company, which resulted in
renewing the United States government
from all responsibility for the treatment of
the prisoners on the way. This was no
small consideration. for 1t was fully realized
that from their deplorabie condition the
prisoners were sure to arrive in Spain in
such shape as to excite wrath and criticism,
Notwithstanding the best treatment that
should be extended them on the way.
In the Case of the Philippines.
The undertaking in the case of the Phil
ippine prisoners is larger than it was in the
case of the Santiago prisoners, for, al
though their number is less they must be
transported almost three times the dis
| tance. The quartermaster generals depart
ment has accordingly issued advertisements
calling for proposals for the TRANSFORMATION
desired the prisoners to be taken up at
Manila, or the most convenient port in the
Philippines and landed at Cadiz or some
other Spanish port to be hereafter desig-
mated.
Terms and Conditions.
The terms and conditions arc SET ont nv
the department in the advertisement as fol-
lows:
Their number is estimated at about
5000 officers and enlisted men, Cabin ac-
Communications are to be supplied for the
officers and third-class or steerage accom-
n,Odations, having suitable galley accom-
modations, conforming to the United States
requirements as to space and ventilation,
for the enlisted men. The United States
government Will deliver the prisoners on
board the vessels at Manila or such other
ports as may be designated for their en-
barkation. Proposals will state the price
per capita for transporting officers and for
transporting enlisted men. and for their
subsistence and delivering them on shore
at the Spanish port ports to be deSig-
mated. and will he accompanied by a guar
antee that the prisoners will be comforta bly,
cared for and subssted while on the jour
ney.
THE subsistence is to be equal to United
States garrison rations, as follows: One
thousand complete rdtions. Meat-Pork
one-tenth. seventy-fiva pounds net weight
bacon, two-tenths, $50 pounds net weight
timed roast beef. SeVen-tenthS. 100 pounds
net weight Flour, or hard bread, net
weight, 1000 pounds. Vegetables - Dry
beans net weight, sevsntyfive pounds or
rye. net weight fifty pc lnds; fresh potatoes
net weight, 500 pounds; onions net weight,
2o1 pc unds: coffee. roasted, net weight.
eighty poUnds; sugar net weight. $50
pounds; vinegar net weight, eighty pounds
soap net weight. forty pounds; salt, net
weight. forty pounds; pepper, black, net
weight. two and ffve-tenths pounds.
Number of Vessels.
Proposals will state the number of YES
sells which are proposed to be used for the
service; the name and classification of each
the tonnage capacity of each: their speed;
the berth accommodations upon each, and
the approximate length of time required by
each vessel to make the voyage from Ma
Mia to the coast of Spain.
Proposals will also state the time at
which each vessels will arrive in the harbor
Of Manila and report to the chief quarter
master al that place ready for the embar-
cation of the prisoners of war.
Vessels of any nationality may be ten
dered and will be considered for the service
required.
Payment for the service will be made
when evidence is furnished that the ship
has arrived, with her passengers, at point
OF destination. The number of officers and
men counted aboard at place of embarka-
ton by the quartermaster is to determine
the number to be paid for.
Proposals should be addressed to the de-
pot quartermaster, United States army,
New York city. or to the depot quarter
master, San Francisco, Cal. at which
places they will be opened at u o'clock m.
standard time on the list day of February
1899. and submitted to this office.
The government reserves the right TO re-
ject any and all proposals submitted"