The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
THE TRANSPORT SCANDAL
Another Attempt TO Fix Response
bility in the Manuense Case.
Secretary Root Dissatisfied with the
Explanation of General shutters
Subordinntes-Thc story of n Noy-
age of Terror to lie OHicinIIy Re-
Inted-A Court-MartinI Mny Result.


Secretary Root has reopened the inves-
tigation OF the condition of the transport
| Manuense, which came near going to the
bottom with a battalion OF the Thirty
first Infantry. When the Manuepse
reached Manila in November she was al
most total wreck. Her engines had
broken down and the ship was half full
OF water. and only the bravery of the
soldiers saved her from sinking They
bailed out the water and kept the en-
gines going after the ships crew had
deserted their posts. Press dispatches
telling OF the trouble on the Manuense
were denied by War Department officials.
who telegraphed to San Francisco and
received replies that the Manuense had
| heen thoroughly inspected before she left
there, and was in every way seaworthy.
Reports have been received by Secretary
Root from Colonel Petit and Lieutenant
Colonel Hayes of the Thirty-fir which
confirm the press reports of the case.
How General Skaters inspectors could
have passed vessel in the apparently
bad condition Of the Manuense is what
Secretary Root is endeavoring to ascer-
tain. To add to the perplexity of the
department officials, Lloyd's agents at
San Francisco reported that they in
spected the Manuense and found her
Az" the highest rating that can be
given vessel. The investigation may
result in a court-martal for some of
General Skaters officers.
When Secretary Root received the re-
ports Of Colonel Petit, and Colonel Hayes
he Immediately sent for Quartermaster
&c neral Ludington and asked that an in
vestigaticn be made at San Francisco.
Copies of the reports were yesterday sent
TO Colonel Long. Superintendent Of the
transport service in San Francisco. for an
investigation. The Secretary OF War de-
termined, however that General Shafter
should also investigate the matter, and
. copies were sent him. with the direction
that he Investigate and report to the War
Department without delay
The officials of the department are much
concerned over the statements made by
Colonel Petit and Lieutenant Colonel
Hayes. The latter was in command Of
portion of the regiment which was on the
Manuense. while Colonel Petit with his
headquarters. was on the City of Picking.
Their reports are practically identical. The
officers report the arrival OF the transport
in Honolulu on November O. having left
san Francisco October Is. The departure
fiom Honolulu was made on November 5.
and on the same night the electric lighting
plant broke down, next the refrigerating
plant broke down, one of the boilers
leaked, the ship leaked. and there were
frequent delays TO enable the repair o.
the engines. When the first trouble ap-
peared Colonel Hayes signaled to Colonel
Petit. on the City Of Picking. 1t was
question on the Manuense whether the
ship could live through the voyage. and
the City of Peking kept by her at all times
to render whatever assistance it could in
case of such necessity. There was fire.
quent signaling between the two officers
each day. Colonel Hayes asked his SUI
perior officer for instructions. and reported
regularly how the troops were getting
along and the condition OF the vessel.
Their reports contain all OF the messages
transmitted between the two vessels. The
day the geratinspvszS'.Dpoke down it
was evident that the fresh meat could not
be kept, and 1t was thrown overheard; but
Colonel Hayes signaled that he had other
meat on board. He informed Colonel Pet
tit hat his men had to be used continually
to ,.Cmp the water oft of the vessels hold,
and during typhoon the soldiers were
used to assist the fireuen. several OF them
having deserted their posts. In this way
the transport finally reached Manila.
Seine time ago Secretary Root directed
that the following order be sent to Gen
eral Shafter. commanding the Department
OF the Pacific:
September 1G 1909.
Having reference to previous instructions on tho
subject the Secretary Of War enioius upon You
the importance Of careful inspection under your
special directions in addition to that made by
officers Of the transport seryice. OF all ships, III
Guiding hospital ships, on which troops are to
embark that you should in this way fully satisfy
youreli that the hest possible service in tie va!
pf transportation is being had
The purpose Of this order was to place
upon General Shafter the responsibility of
seeing that proper inspections were made.
When the question Of the breaking down
of the Manuense was first reported TO the
War Department by General Otis. Colonel
Long was telegraphed about the matter.
and replied that the vessel had been thor
uughly inspected and was seawOrthy.
1t was particularly noticed that Colonel
Iorg said that Inspectors General Maus
an. Darlington had made thorough inspec-
tiC.. of the Manuense but Major Maus
has officially denied that he either made an
official inspection or that he had ever been
given authority to do so. The depaT tment
is somewhat mystitied, however. over the
sudden breaking down Of the vessel after
leaving Honolulu. particularly in view OF
the number Of official inspections made
according to the report from Colonel Long.
Ii is because the Secretary of War is not
satisfied with this explanation Cf Colonel
Long that further investigation and
report has been asked OF both Culouel Long
and General Shafter