The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-24

~ WO days ago Il was learned that there
was n strong sentiment among the
officers and men Of the command
hostile 10 the St. Paul. which Ia smaller
than the Garonne. Athentan or Victoria.
and, In the opinion OF the officers OF the
regiment, not 10 well qualified 10 carry
the regiment on itG long voyage across the
Pacific AZ either one Of the ships named
In fact. It Is alleged by the officers that
the 81. Paul would be overcrowded II more
than 800. or at tho outside go. men were
put aboard Of her.
The St. Paul was officially inspected by
Col. Vessels and the other officers OF his
stan Monday afternoon. After the In
spectton a meeting was held. at which the
matter was thoroughly discussed. Al that
time II was understood that theyr would
be rs men on the St. Paul II was stated
In fact that Gen. Shafter had said the
ship had accommodations for cas- men.
When the officers had fully canvassed the
situation at the meeting Monday after
noon It became known that the practically
unanimous sentiment among them was
that the transport was too small to carry
such a large detachment on the voyage
across the Pacific without serious over
crowding.
Protest sent 20 sAafteP.
Col. iGreenleaf, assistant surgeon gen
eral on the stan OF Gen. shafter. officially
inspected the Sc. Paul Tuesday and pro-
nounced her NJ to carry 80 men That
the officers and men Of the Third do not
agree with the surgeon b evidenced by the
fact that notwithstanding his report to
Gen. Shafter. the board Of officers met and
formulated q protest 10 the commanding
general Of the department
The board was appointed by Gen. Wes-
sells and is an official body. It's president
Ii Mai E. T. Steever. The board met
M "a nj nh f0ryvp Ia cA
port TO Gen. Shafser. a synopsis OF which
was teiegraphed to San Francisco. The
report itself was mated yesterday morn
Ing. and should reach the department
headquarters tonight.
While the language Of the report n with
held from. publication by the officers. II
Il known that formal objection n made
to the 81. Paul as q transport for carry
ing 760 officers and men. No structures
are, however made on her soundness or
sea going qualities
The board further asks the consideration
Of the matter by the commanding general,
with the request that other and additional
transports he given for the regiment
Another ship May he Sent.
by this Is meant. IL is believed. a request
that another transport be sent 10 Seattle
to take the men OF the Third cavalry 10
Manila. IN such case the ship would
either take the surplus men or would he
large enough 20 carry the Whole command
comfortably.
The-a are many people In eeattl. who
believe that the quArtermssfer at San
Francisco has sought to Inconvenience Tn.
Third cavalry and to injure the enterprise
Ut ernbarking troops from this port to
Manila. II n now no secret that I'm San
Francisco transportation people. ana par
iscuiariy those who have To do with .hs
handling Of transports, including owners
agents and Quartermastcr's department Of
ficials, are extremely hostile to Seattle
In fact, II Ia claimed thar the influence of
the war department officials At San Fran
cisco II constantly exercsed agains, Sc
attic, Mai. Long. In his reports ard state
ments Ia Washington. IL considered 10 have
proven this in mere than one Instance
San Franrtsco'a Jea10usy
The truth OF the matter IL that at ono
time II was planned 10 send the transport
Hancock. formerly the Arizona which was
originally chartered AZ this port by Cant.
Robinson. 80 Seattle Ia take the Third
cavalry 10 Manila The Hancock h a
large and magnificent ship At the las,
moment she was ordered 10 San rrancs sss,
90 undergo extensive alterations ~ which.
II IL cisimsd, there was no Immediate need
and q ship smaller and less desirable than
those assigned as animal ships was placed
by the San Francisco officers 70 carry the
cavalrymen To the far East
I'VE do not have any interest in the
Quarreis between San Francisco and Seal
tie. said a high officer az the Third cav
AIRY yesterday. but we are interested In