Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-15
CAUGHT THE TARTAR.

1t is odd that nearly 1900 United States
troops should be detained against the will
OF most Of them by the British authori-
tbs at Hongkong. Under some circum-
stances such detention would be casus
belli. but in this instance really ii is an
act of friendship, Notwithstanding the
fact that it has irritated General Otis and
some Of the Washington authorities.
The Tartar is British ship, sailing, Of
course. under the British flag. She is
owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway
Company, and since the conclusion of
our treaty of peace with Spain has been
engaged in taking troops of ours TO and
from Manila She is now bound TO San
Francisco with about 1900 officers and
men on board. She stopped at Hongkong
10 20 into the big dry-dock there to have
her bottom scraped Arrived at Hong
kong, good many Of the discharged SOL
diers on board complained TO the port Of
ncers that the vessel was Overcrowdcd
Upon an investigation of this complaint
ii was found that the Tartar was carry
ing several hundred more persons than
her license entitled her to carry. 1t was
also discovered, as we learn from some
of the papers. that she was insuficicntly
provided with life-proservers and life-sav-
ing boats
So. 1t was given out by tho port author
tiles that the Tartar would not be per-
United to sail until the number Of her
passengers was reduced within lawful
limits.
on the part of our army people this ac-
ton IS characterized as Outrageous.
They state that since the license in ques-
ton was issued changes have been made
on the Tartar which, by turning her
freight holds into passenger wards, give
her the right TO carry an increased num-
Der of passengers. Nothing is said about
the lack of life-preservers. &c.
The detention of the Tartar has been
complained OF by our government, and it
may be that London. as an act of cour-
tesy TO US. will order her TO be released
without unloading any of the soldiers at
Hongkong. All the same the incident
shows that Otiss subordinates who over
crowded the vessel and started her upon
her long voyage are either incapable or
negligent officers.
Doubtless, the ''bull-headed British" at
Hongkong have done us a good service.
Hereafter, we suppose, more care will be
taken in arranging for the transportation
OF our sick and wounded ana discharged
soldiers. They are entitled to decent
oh chi mi a.
pear that they had them on the Tartar.
Anxious as the men are to get home, it
Is not likely they would have complained
without cause.
1t seems that the complaints came from
discharged regulars. and an effort has
been made to show that these fellows
were dissatisfied because, in their opin-
ion, better accommodations have been
provided for the discharged Kansas vol
unteers than for them. Possibly there Is
some truth in this story; but, after all,
the real question is, Has the Tartar suf-
ficient accommodations for 1900 men on
long voyage. and has she ample life
saving apparatus? We doubt IL she has.
We suspect that when am Investigation is
made there Will be found additional evil
dence OF the phenomenal incapacity which
has marked Otis's administration in the
Philippines.
IL is improbable that the incident will
give rise TO any controversy between our
government and England. Ii is not OF
sufficient Importance for that. England
may eheerfuily send the ship on its way,
and unload an responsibility OF the voy-
age upon our government.