New-York tribune., 1900-09-09
CRUISER BALTIMORE HERE
FIRST VISIT TO AMERICAN WATERS
SINCE THE MANILA BAY BATTLE.
FORSYTH TALK OF HER VOYAGE AND
CONDITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

CONDITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The protected cruiser Baltimore, the flagship
Of Rear-Admiral J. c. Watson anchored of
Tompkinsville at 7:45 a m. yesterday. Fresh
from an eighteen thousand mile voyage, the
vessel on which occurred the principal Aneri-
can casualties in the Battle Of Manila looked
ready for further service should occasion de-
mand. Her white sides bore no evidences OF her
long journey, and everything about her sug-
gested readiness to respond TO another call to
service If necessary. There was nothing but
an Insignificant little shell set in a bracket on
the deck, labelled Manila May l." to suggest
that she had ever been in a battle
Since she was built, eleven years ago. the
Baltimore has been in almost constant service
Twice has she circumnavigated the globe a
feat performed by no other vessel in the United
States or English navies, according 10 Captain
J. N. Forsyth, her proud commander She
now enters American waters for the first time
since her participation in the battle which made
Commodore Dewey an Admiral Her crew.
which is made Up of the invaids and those OF
the fleet in the Philippines whose terms of en-
listment have expired will be discharged and
she will go out Of commission and receive a
thorough overhauling
The Baltimore made the run Of three thou
sand miles from Greenock, Scotland to New
York, in ten days, which is speedy travelling
for a war vessel. On her arrival at Quaran-
tine she was detained longer than is customary
for vessels of the Navy, It was feared that
some Of the men might have been infected with
the germs Of the bubonic plague, as they had
had shore leave. The temperatures OF the crew
were taken and the vessel was released, only
case II typhoid fsser oeing found
Rear-Admiral Albert S. Barker, con1rnandaut.
Of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, went down TO pay
Fear-Admiral Watson an Official visit in the fore
noon. The call was returned BY Rear-AdrniraI
Watson. accompanied by Captain Forsyth his
chief Of staff, and Lieutenant F Marble. his
flag lieutenant, in the afternoon. They went up
TO the yard on the Navy Yard tug Wompatuck.
After calling upon Rear-AdmiraI Barker. Rear
Admiral Watson went aboard the Vermont TO
make an informal call upon Captain Taylor. He
then returned 10 the Baltimore which he board
ed at o'clock.
Rear-AdmiraI Watson said to a Tribune re-
porter while going down the Bay from the yard:
From the time I arrived in the Philippines. on
June 20. 1888 until left there on March IS
TINS year, l was unable 10 learn Of a single in
stance OF a cargo Of ammunition or arms being
landed for the rebels. One vessel left japan. I
be4leVe, but she was wrecked on the Chinese
coast There Is an enormous coast line TO be
patroIIed-oetWeen six thousand and seven
10 have plenty Of money, our fleet at one time
numbered ffty-One vessels
Regarding the situation in the Philippine
Islands he said
Everywhere our people have obtained con-
trol they have tried 70 deal justly with the
natives. Considering the large force of rrOOps
the number Of soldiers who get drunk seemed
10 be very small. I saw no scandaIous conduct
nor any abuse Of the people I believe the word
nigger,' used by some OF the soldiers in speak
Ing OF the FilipinOs. which was generally repro
bated by the officers must have had bad ef-
feet, as encouraging the idea. that looked
down upon them an inferior race.
had great confidence in General Otis. and
never ne2rd any one say he could pick out a
man VINO could do any better feel hopeful
about the situation in the Philippines, but would
feel more so II the Filipino could know the policy
which this country intends 10 pursue. The Fill
pinOs for a long time back have expressed the
belief that If Bryan is elected they Will receive
their independence
Captain Forsyth, speaking Of the voyage Of
the Baltimore, Faid:
We left Manila on the Brooklyn. which was
then Rear-Admiral Watson's flagship. on March
2S and went 10 Yokohama, where waited
for Rear-AdmiraI Remey who was relieve
Admiral Watson Admiral Watson transferred
ms nag then 10 the Baltimore, and l. being MS
chief Of staff was transferred with him. We
left Yokohama May l and stopped at Kobe
Nagasaki, Shanghai Hong Kong. Singapore and
Colombo At Colombo we first heard OF the
trouble in China From Colombo went
Perrin thence through the suez Canal After
leaving Port Said We stopped at Malta and
Gibraltar before reaching Havre, where
made first long stop. We stayed there
twelve days in order 10 give the officers and
men an opportunity TO visit the Paris Expo
sirion. From Havre we went TO Gravesend
where stayed ten days while all hands went
up 10 London. At Belfast. our next stop the
city authorities entertained US at a big luncheon
From Belfast went Greenock leaving
there on August % for New-York.
We We're received everywhere with a great
deal of attention. The English were especially
attentive. our crew is composed OF invaIds
and men whose terms OF enlistment have ex-
pired. Only about forty of the men and three
OF the officers the Baltimore at the
time of the battle. The rest Of the officers and
the from the different ships in the
Philippines The ship Will probably go out OF
commission. She has been in almost constant
service since she was built eleven years ago.
She needs new boilers. new batteries and
electric outfit"
The Officers attached to the flagship Balti-
more are. Rear Admiral J. c. Watson, Captain
J. NJ Forsyth Lieutenant Commander A Ward,
senior aide: Lieutenant F. Marble, flag lieuten-
ant; Lieutenant Commander w. @. Cutler
Iieutenant-C Commander T. II. Eldridge. Lieuten-
ant-Commander J. NJ Orchard, Lieutenant
Spencer s. Wood Lieutenant ". s Crossley.
aide Lieutenant Oleanie Tarbox. Lieutenant L.
NJ Everhart Lieutenant A 7. Chester, Lieuten-
ant Z. H Watson, Lieutenant O. s. KTepper.
Lieutenant n J. Mccormack. Surgeon +. B. Ste
phenson Passed Assistant Surgeon Lewis Nor
ris Paymaster +. NJ. Rogers, Captain Dion Will
isns L. S. NJ c.; Boatswain h r. Brayton.
Gunner A OLSON. Carpenter W. p. Harding,
Acting Warrant Machinst II. ". Bigga, Acting
Warrant Machnist ] J. Fuller, Acting War
rant Machnist r. D. Burns. Acting Warrant
Machinist ". r Quinn, and Pay Clerk J. 3.