The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-22

s8ATTLE - A fRANsFORT POfyT.
Persistent endeayor 20 have Seattle
acknowledged ~ the most suitable place
for Transporting troops ana war mate
rial to the Philippines has been reward
ed By recognition on the part OF the
military authorities The order to ship
horses Tor the cavalry may not be OF IT,
self very important concession. but IL
II the beginning. and the result cannot
fail to convince the war department
that representations have been truthful.
The advantages are % many that II
seems strange 10 determined a resist
ance was made, except upon the n.y.
pothesis that Influences controlled from
San Francisco have been at work. One
Of the chief benefits Of shipping horses
TO the Philippines by way Of Seattle IL
that they will become gradually accli-
mated TO the excessive heat If southern
waters. Going from San Francisco they
would almost Immediately be subjected
TO q semi tropical climate, and by the
time they reached the Philippines they
would be. after their long voyage, en-
tireIy unified for their arduous task.
Going by way OF Seattle they win skirt
the northern waters and gradually en-
ter ATTITUDES which are trying even for
men and would be fatal to all but the
strongest animals. The Journey can be
broken by landing the horses on one OF
the islands of the Aieutian group: they
can stretch their legs and have change
Of food When they reach their destina-
they would be In q good condition.
The same reasoning applies to men.
At this season OF the year-and. indeed.
during most Of the year--the change
from the temperate climate OF the
United States to the enervating atmos-
phere of the Philippines is VIGOROUSLY
trying, and 1t is unnecessary cruelty to
subject soldiers to a test OF endurance
which would be severe even IL II were
not TO be followed by incessant activity
In the field.
The superiority Of Seattle over San
Francisco will be demonstrated at the
military post Here the climate IL al
ways moderate, while at San Francisco,
especially during the summer months.
there is much sickness. No better proof
OF this could be given than by the ex-
perience of the returning volunteers.
who in the middle Of July We're shiver-
ing with cold and orders had to be is
sued for q supply OF overcoats. The
authorities were warned OF the danger
OF bringing men directly from the
tropics to San Francisco in the summer
penetrating mist. but the comfort Of the
soldiers was sacrificed to the commercial
demands OF San Francisco.
The climate is only one Of the advan-
tages possessed by Seattle. Another i'm
portant consideration should be the fact
that there are running into Seattle prac-
tieaiiy four main railroad lines. The
Great Northern and the Northern Pa
cific run directly east. while the Union
Pacific could be utilized for more south
erly states, and the Southern Pacific for
those going directly south. In case OF
an emergency there Is no doubt that
permission could be had, also, to trans
port men over the Canadian Pacific.
Objection has been made that supplies
cannot be purchased so cheapiy in Sc
the demand being so much greater I'm
San Francisco larger quantities are kept
In stock. or regular traffic for supply
established. but /: the trade tustines il.
the same arrangements could be made
here, and IL Is well known that the aver
age OF prices liz fully as low as In San
Francisco.
The success Of the effort 10 secure rec
ignition by the war department shows
us that we can command attention By
persistent work. Routine is not easily
disturbed In public Offices. bat now that
a breach has been made we should not
relax cur perseverance until. both FOR
the good 81 Seattle and the comfort and
welfare % the soldiers. this has been
made the transshipping point on the Pa
eiflc caas. for the Orient.
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