Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14
REGULAR MANILA SERVICE
Transports to leave San Francisco Semi
Monthly for That Port.
FINEST TrOOpshfp AfiOat Will BE on
the Lfne-PrOpOsed for the
SueZ Canal Route,

Acting upon the recommendation of Quar-.
termaster General Ludington the Secretary
OF War has given orders for the establish.
ment of semi-monthly transport service
between San Francisco and Manila, P L
This action is due to the heavy traffic be-
tween the two points caused by the active
military operations in the PhiiIppines. and
Is prompted by desire to leave nothing
undone that will contribute to the health
comfort and convenience of the troops in
that far distant quarter of the globe.
The service will be inaugurated by the
troopship Sherman, which will leave San
Francisco for Manila on the 18th or 10th
instant, to be followed at regular inter-
walls of about fifteen days by the other large
ships of the Pacific transport fleet includ-
ing the Sheridan, Grant, Logan, Thomas
and Meade. These vessels are acknowl-
edged to be the finest of their class in the
world, and were specially fitted out at
neaFy expense for the TRANSFORMATION OF
troops and munitions of war between this
country and our newly acquired territory
in the far east. They are each about >, IoI
tons burden and capable of high rate OF
speed over long stretch of water.
A Monthly Service From New York
The authorities of the War Department
are also considering the advisablity of the
similar lines, between New York and Ma
Mia, over the Mediterranean and Suez
route. No action has been taken, however
with regard to the establishment of a regu-
lar transatlantic transport service, but the
officials are encouraged to believe in the
entire feasibility of such an undertaking
and action to that end in the near future is
not at all improbable. The transport Sum-
ner is now being fitted out at the Norfolk
a to hp -,-o,,
ton of nearly regiment of recruits from
New York to Manila over this route, start
ing early in March. This vessel will prob
ably form the nucleus of the proposed At
lantic transport fleet, which may be in
creased by other transports now either at
Manila or on the route to San Francisco.
Col. Bellinger of the quartermasters Of
flee, wEo has direct supervision of the
transportation service, is enthusiastic over
the character and possibilities of the nu-
merous first-class vessels now engaged in
the military transport service, and is con-
fident that a regular service can be MAIN
tanned between New York and San Fran
cisco and Manila.
Chartered TroopShips Given Tn,
In accordance with the policy of reducing
the number of chartered transports as rap
idly as the conditions of the service per-
nit, the quartermaster has given directions
for the annulment of the charters of the
Columbia, St. Paul Pathan and Ohio. All
of these vessels were engaged TO take
troops and supplies from the Pacific coast
to the Philippines The transport Manau-
ense, which broke down while carving a
portion of the 30th Volunteer Infantry
under Lieut.. Col. Webb Hayes to Manila,
was discharged from the government SER
vice on the 9th instant, Immediately follow
Ing her return to San Francisco The pay
ments due under the terms of the charter
OF this vessel are being withheld until the
investigation now in progress dscloses the
responsibility for the breakdown of the
machinery on her last voyage out.