The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-13
ORECON'S BOYS ARRIVE
Whistles Shrek, Bells Clang Can
non Boom in San Francisco,
GOING OUT TO MEET THEM
Unless the Orders From Washington Are
Rsscinded. However. the Regiment
Will Not Land at the Golden
0ate-Are Disappointed.

San Francisco. July l2-The United
States transports Newport and Ohio,
bearing the oregon volunteer regiment
from Manila arrived here early this
evening. The vessels We're sighted
some miles out at sea early in the aft
ernoon, and soon the shrieking of
steam whistles, the changing of bells
and the firing of cannon announced to
the people of San Francisco and vicin-
ity that the first batch of returning
volunteers from Manila were nearing
the peaceful shores of California, and
within a few minutes after the an
nouncement was made the streets lead
ing toward the bay shores were throng-
ed with people vending their way to
ing the bay, all intent on catching a
glimpse of the transports as they
steamed up the ha1'bor under the es-
cort of score of vessels which had
been made ready for the arrival of the
steamers.
Along the water front proper all was
excitement. Whistles and bells kept
up a continual din. The roofs of the
warehouses were crowded with peo-
pie and from scores of flag poles
streamed into the breeze the stars and
stripes for which the boys have been
lighting for so many long weary
months. Steamers, tugs. yachts and
even small row boats were soon max
ing their way as fast as possible to-
ward the Golden Gate, all bent upon
adding to the welcome given to the
boys from the Webfoot state The
reception committees appointed to ar
range for the home coming of the Ore
gonians were soon safely aboard the
tug boats Sea Queen and the Govern
or Irwin. and headed for the ocean.
On board the Irwin were the harbor
commissioners, the officials of the ma
tional guard of California and Govern
or Geer of Oregon and his staff. On
the Sea Queen were the representatives
of the press, the band furnished by
Mayor Phelan and many invited guests.
The revenue cutter Golden Gate, bear
ing federal officers, was soon under
way, and was Joined by the federal
quarantine boat from Angel Island.
Then there wers boats at the disposal
of the Red Cross and other societies
and many chartered by private parties.
AS the transports slowly steamed up
the harbor the soldiers on board gath
cred in excited groups on deck and
some climbed into the rigging, where
they shouted and cheered like mad.
The band on the Sea Queen played pa
triotic airs and the screaming of many
steam sirens created a pandemonum.
The health officials boarded the ves-
sci. which changed their course to-
ward the quarantine stations. where
the doctors will make a thorough ex-
animation of the men. 1t is yet un-
decided whether the Oregon volunteers
will be allowed to land in San Francis
co before returning to their Oregon
homes. The department at Washington
once ordered that there be no delay
in sending the men north from here.
but recent developments may possibly
cause the department to rescind it's
former decision. AS soon as it was
positively known here that the Oregon
soldiers would stop here, committees
were appointed to arrange for a fitting
reception to the brave men. and every
thing progressed finely toward that,
when word was received from Wash
ington that the soldiers would not stop
here more than long enough to permit
fresh supplies being placed on board
the transports.
This decision. of course, put dam
per on the work of the committees, but
they recovered from the first shock
and decided to go ahead with their
preparations and trust to influence to
obtain the desired permission. Govern
or Geer of Oregon and his staff come
to San Francisco for the express pur-
pose of receiving the volunteers and,
since their arrival here, have been in
constant communication with the de-
partment at Washington to have the
men granted permission to land here,
but so far their efforts have been un-
availing.
General Shafter would like to have
the men landed here, but must, of
course, obey the instructions of his
superiors. He puts the matter in this
light:
THE government is anxious to have
all the volunteers in the Philippines
returned here, and if the Oregon boys
We're allowed TO land here it would de-
lay the necessary dispatch of the
transports to the Philippines for the
regiments of other states"
General Shafter fully appreciates the
anxiety of the people of San Francisco
to give the oregon boys a fitting re-
ception, but so far has been unable to
give any encouraging information upon
the subject
THE situation is this" said Lieuten-
ant Colonel Pmmmer General Shaft
er's aid: General Shafter has receiv-
ed a number of anxious inquiries from
Washington concerning transports. The
government, it must be understood is
anxious to get as many of the vessels
to Manila as possible for the volun-
teers from other states are as eager
as those from oregon to return home.
General Skaters orders have been to
hurry the incoming transports back
to the Philippines and. while he fully
appreciates the good intentions of San
Francisco citizens and the wishes of
the people of oregon who are now rep
resented here by Governor Geer, he
must follow his instructions as nearly
as possible This means that unless it
is absolutely necessary for the New
port and Ohio to remain here. they will
be hurried up to Oregon as soon as or
ders can be conveyed to their COM
manders"
The vessels entered port with COM
parative bills of health, there being
but one or two cases of sickness among
the soldiers but there are ~ men on
the transports suffering from wounds
received in the Philippines. There were
no deaths or other casualties among
the soldiers during the voyage from
Manila. No stop was made at Homo
lulu The soldiers are all anxious to
have their discharge papers issued here.