The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-09-26
SOLDIERS FOR MANEAITHE DISCUSS Finances.
THE THOMAS ARRIVES FROM SAN
FRANCISCO.
Carries Bsttalions of the Fifth and
Eighth Infantry and Many Civilian
Passengers for the Philippines.

After an uneventful run of eight days
the u. S. Transport Thomas arrived
from San Francisco last night, en- route
to Manila via Nagasaki. The vessel
carries a large number of troops there
being battalion of the Fifth Infantry,
battalion from the Eigth Infantry
battalion of recruits and casuals, a
detachment from the signal and hospi-
tai corps, and a number of passengers.
Companies A, B, c. and D compose
the battalion of the Fifth Infantry.
Colonel r. Comba the commander of
the regiment, headquarters and band
being aboard. OF the Eighth Infantry
Companies E, f, G and H with head
quarters and band, under command of
Major j. s. Stretch are on the Thomas.
There are in all 1880 soldiers on board
and 118 cabin passengerS. In addition
to the officers of the two regiments
there are several officers of the 32nd, 18th
and 18th Infantry going out to Manila
to join their regiments. There are sew
eral nurses and a number of civilian
clerks who go to the Philippines TO
serve in various capacities. H. L. Col
Inns, managing editor of the PhiladeI-
phia Press is passenger He is now
taking a vacation, his intention being
to tour the world for year. Roy w.
Squires of the Minneapolis Journal is
another newSpaperman en- route to Ma
nila. Mrs. j. M. Bell wife of General
Bell formerly colonel of the First cav
airy in en- route to Manila to join her
husband. DR.. Barrows and Professor
Coulter are going to Manila in response
to the request of superintendent At
kinson for instructors for public schools
Several teachers are also going out with
them. Rev. j. G. Webb a member of
the Y. M. G. A. is a passenger to Ma
nila.
One of the most interesting charac-
ters aboard the big transport is Colonel
Comba who was made brigadier gen.
eral of volunteers for his gallant con-
duct at El Caney. At that battle he was
lieutenant-colonel of the 18th Infantry
and distinguished himself to such a de-
gree that hewas made brigadier general
of volunteers on his record alone and
when these offices, created shortly af-
ter the cessation of hostilities, lapsed
he was promoted out of the regiment,
and given command of the Fifth. This
| regiment did not see service during the
Santiago campaign but was sent to
| Santiago shortly after the retirement
of the Fifth army corps and for months
did provost duty through the district
| There were so many immune regiments
| in that city that the presence of body
of regular troops was thought neces-
sary. The regiment passed through two
! epidemics of yellow fever losing 100
men from this scourge. While the regf-
ment was in the province principally to
exert moral influence the men were
required on numerous occasions to run
down bands of brigands who used to
raid the various plantation and levy
blackmail upon the owners. The regi-
ment was ordered home July goth, and
| one battalion went to Fort Sheridan,
Ill. After reorganization the regiment
was sent to the Preside where it was
in camp for three weeks previous to
boarding the Thomas.
The Eighth Infantry is under com
mand of Major Stretch the senior regi-
mental officer Colonel Randall the
commander was recently made a briga-
dier general and sent to command the
Department of Alaska and the lIeute-
nant colonel is on sick leave, so the
command has devolved on Major
Stretch This regiment took part In
the fighting before Santiago and imme.
diately after the surrender of that city
was ordered home to Montauk Point
returning to Cuba in December of the
same year. The regiment did police
duty in the city of Havana for the
first few weeks after its arrival unit
a regular police force could be organ.
lied, after which the Eighth was sem
into garrison duty at Fort Columbis
just outside of Havana. The regiment
left Cuba July 10 last and went to For
Smelling, Mimi, where is was prepared
for service in China. Owing to the
capture of Peking these orders were re
cinded and the regiment directed t.
proceed to Manila. Both the Fifth anC
Eighth leave one battalion each in tn,
States on home duty.
This morning the two battalions OF
the Thomas were formed on the whar
and paraded about the city in order t,
give the men an opportunity of stretch
ing their limbs after being aboard shil
so long. Strict orders have been issuet
for the men to be back on the ship b!
sunset and no body will be permitted t
leave the vessel after that time withou
a written permit.
Captain w. NJ. Coulling is the quar-
termaster in charge of the ship ant
Captain M B. Buford Is the navigating
! officer. The vessel brought no mail 70
1t was thought the Australia would bea
her running down a feat which the "Oli
; Reliable" failed to do, much to tn
satisfaction of the crew of the Thomas
I The transport is now coaling and ex
! poets to sail Friday.