The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-13
TARTAR Held
Vessel on Which goth Kansas
is Returning
Detained at Hong Kong by
British Government.
REGULARS ON BOARD
Complain That the Vessel Is
OVercrOWded.
Kansans Anxious to Come Home
Remain Quiet.
MUCH TELEGRAPHING.
Metcalf ana Otis Are Asked
About the Trouble.
International Complications
May Result From Incident.
Complain That the Vessel Il
OVercrOWded.
Kansans Anxious to Come Home
Remain Quiet.
MUCH TELEGRAPHING.
Metcalf ana Otis Are Asked
About the Trouble.
international Complications
May Result From Incident.


the World from Hong Kong, says:
The United States transport Tartar
which expected sail today, has been
detained by the karbor authorities un-
der the British merchant shipping act,
whereby her capacity is limited to $50
passengers. although the Tarter has
licensed capacity of 1.34O.
Consul Nrndman. representing the
United States government. who took
the matter at once before the local gov
ernment authorities. maintaining that
the Tartar is an American trOopship.
although she is flying the British flag.
and is not subject to the merchant
shipping act
The authorities have been discussing
the matter all day and it is very prob
able that $50 OF the soldiers on board
viii be left behind when she is finally
permitted to sail for san Francisco.
Several of the discharged soldiers on
board the Tartar filed the complaints
of her unsanitary condition which
started the proceedings to detain the
vessel.
Washington, Sept. 13-The army
transport Tartar with the Kansas regi-
lnent on board, which is reported de-
tanned at Hong Kong by the British
authorities vas chartered by the United
States and is owned by the Canadian
Pacific steamship company. She sails
under the British flag. It is said that
under these conditions she is subject
to the British navigation laws, as be-
ing chartered by the United States does
not entitle her to American registry
The British consul can determine
whether she complies with the British
navigation laws and If she does not
she has authority to unload.
The quartermaster department does
not know why the Tartar went to Hong
Kong, but it is supposed that it was
for the purpose of docking her The
Tartar sailed from San Francisco July
"A. She carried 1,221 men, 1t is stated
at the war department that she was
under the supervision of the board Of
health at San Francisco and that she
would not have been allowed to sail
from that port if she did not comply
with the regulations. When she ar
rived at Manila Gen. Otis reported her
with all on board we'll and no deaths.
She sailed from Manila September 4,
with 1.2O3 men on board
METCALF IS WIRED.
Washington, Sept. 1s.-After Secre-
tary Roots return from the White
House he had conference with the
commissioner of navigation, Mr. Cham
berlain. and also decided to take up the
matter Of the Tartar with the state de-
partment with a view Of having the
ship cleared at Hong Kong
dispatch was sent 20 Colonel Met
calf, OF the Twentieth Kansas, who is
in command of the troops on the trans
port asking if in his opinion the ship
was overcrowded and if there was just
ground for complaint Of the subsistence
furnished the men. A dispatch was
also sent to General Otis asking for
further Information concerning the
Tartar, and the supplies with which she
was furnished. No definite decision
can be reached until the state depart
ment has communicated with our en-
bassy at London, as it is a question
which must be settled by the British
government.
The war department made public the
following dispatches:
Hong Kong. September 13-Corbin.
Washington: British authorities refuse
TO clear Tartar because overcrowded.
authorize eight twenty-four.
"METCALF''
Manila, Sept. 1S.-Adjutant General,
Washington: Tartar sent Hong Kong
TO dock as requested by Major Long
No dock large enough at Nagasakf. She
mas capacity for eleven hundred forty
nVe men and one hundred and eleven
cabin passengers She took back eleven
hundred forty-two men and sixty-one
cabin passengers On her trip from
san francisco she carried comfortably
eleVen hundred forty-five men and fifty
five cabin passengers. OTIS"
REGULARS COMPLAINED
Kansas City Sept. 13.-The following
cablegram dated today has been received
by the Star from its special correspon-
dent on board the Tartar at Hong Kong:
Tartar having on board the Twentieth
Kansas regiment has been refused clear
ance. Four hundred regulars on hoard
have made complaint of over-crowding.
No serious Sickness
KANSANS KEEP QUIET.