New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-01
ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
ENERGETIC MEASURES TO PREVENT The
SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

Washington. July 31.-Surgeon General wy
man. of the Marine Hospital Service, had
conference with Secretary Gage to-day on the
yellow fever situation at Hampton, va Inc
Secretary agreed with Dr. Wyman that every
possible precau:ion should be taken 10 prevent
the spread Of the disease. A GORDON VIII De
thrown around the affected district and thor
ouob quarantine established. The Marine Hos
initial officials are astounded at the presence OF
yellow fever in that locality. The steamer from
Old Point arriving here this morning was
crowded with passengers.
Surgeon General Sternberg has received the
following dispatch from Lieutenant Colonel
De Witt. at Fort Monroe:
At 4 o'clock p. yesterday Surgeon Pettus'
United States Marine Hospital Service, quaran-
tine officer, officially stated that yellow fever
was at National Soldiers Home, Hampton; thlr-
ty-four cases with six deaths. Commanding or
1cer took immediate measures for quarantine
Surgeon Pettus states Surgeon General Marine
Hospital Service was notified yesterday after
noon.
GENERAL CORBINS VIEWS.
Adjutant General Corbin and Major Johnston,
Assistant Adjutant General, were at Fort Mon
roe yesterday and were present when Surgeon
Pettus made his report to Lieutenant Colonel
De witt. General Corbin says that from all &C
! counts there is little doubt that the conditions
are serious and there is no telling how far the
| infection may have reached. There is a trolley
! road along the beach for more than six miles,
and excursion parties have been coming to Old
Point and adjacent places and have taken the
trolley to Newport News and the Soldiers
Home. Many Of the visitors have mingled with
the soldiers
General Corbin says that one way In which
the fever might have been brought to the Home
! is that one Of the soldiers recently visited San
tago. He returned some time ago. suffering
! with what the physicians thought to be dengue
1t not until the inmates of the Home began
| TO die that the disease was discovered TO be
yellow fever. General Corbin says there is not
the least question about the character Of the
disease, physicians who were present at the
post norton on some of the victims declaring
that yellow fever was surely present.
TROOPS TO LEAVE FORT MONROE
Orders have been issued by the War Depart
ment removing the garrison at Fort Monroe to
some point on the Northern coast to be selected
by General Merritt. Two officers and twenty
enlisted men will be left as a guard.
The troops at Fort Monroe consist Of Batter
les G, n and c Of the 4th Artillery. together
with the headquarters OF that regiment, under
command Of Colonel F. L. Gunther.
| Surgeon General Wyman had a conference
with Secretary Alger to-day. The Secretary as
sured Dr. Wyman that the War Department
would assist in every manner possible to con-
troll the epidemic, and that as ex-offlco presi-
dent OF the Soldiers Home he would issue such
orders are deemed necessary. Dr. Wyman
says that it may be necessary to take many Of
the inmates of the Home away.
Speaking of the situation Surgeon General
Sternberg said to-day: The matter Of dealing
with the epidemic will be entirely in the hands
Of the Marine Hospital Service. but Of course
We shall cooperate in any way possible. | shall
ask to have yellow fever expert sent to Fort
Monroe for the protection Of Army interests
there"
General Sternberg said he had no theories to
advance as to the origin Of the outbreak. Sur
gcOn General Van Reypen, Of the Navy also
declined 10 discuss the origin Of the outbreak.
Asked if he did not think it might be due to
the presence Of the old Spanish ship Reina
Mercedes at the Norfolk Navy Yard. he replied
emphatlcally in the negative DR. Van Reypen
also said that he did not believe 1t would be
necessary to suspend operations at the Norfolk
Navy Yard. The yard would. however be quar-
the only vessels at the Norfolk yard, an" II is
understood that they will be removed III case
their crews should appear to be endangered. 1t
IS also well understood that in such emergencies
the Navy Department pays little heed to quar-
antine regulations and would not hesitate to
send the ships out. bound for Northern port.
Secretary Alger has directed that the Josiah
| Simpson Hospital at Fort Monroe be turned
over to the Marine Hospital Service II it is
wanted. This hospital contains a thousand
at Newport News last summer. The Marine
Hospital Service to-day hurried number Of
surgeons to Hampton
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