Seattle’s Grand Welcome: The Battle for the First Washington Volunteers’ Homecoming

Hopes to Land First Washington Volunteers In Seattle Instead

San Francisco.

HAS ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION To Ascertain the Facilities Here for Mustering Out the Troops Also Notifies Senator Turner Today to That Effect.

Early this morning The Star flashed two messages across the country to cabinet officers in Washington. The first, addressed to the Secretary of War, read as follows:

SEATTLE, Wash., May 16, 1899. To Hon. R. A. Alger, Secretary of War, Washington, D.C. Can you bring First Washington volunteers direct from Manila to Seattle instead of by way of San Francisco, so that volunteers may be guests of honor at a big homecoming celebration arranged here? Kindly wire answer. Editor Seattle Daily Star.

The second message was sent to the Secretary of the Navy and read as follows:

Secretary Navy Long, Washington, D.C. Will request wired you by Seattle City Council last night be granted for battleship Iowa to come here to assist in homecoming celebration upon arrival of First Washington volunteers from Manila? Kindly wire answer for publication. Editor Seattle Daily Star.

Following are the answers received:

To the Editor of the Seattle Daily Star, Seattle, Wash. WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16. I have telegraphed Senator Foster today as follows: "The only difficulty about sending Washington and other troops from northern states to Puget Sound is that there are no facilities for receiving them here... It takes from three to four weeks to muster out a regiment after returning home. I am having the matter investigated as to the feasibility of the care of these troops upon their arrival. If practicable would like to have them sent to their homes direct instead of via San Francisco." R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 1899. Editor Seattle Daily Star, Seattle, Wash.: Request From Seattle City Council for Iowa to assist in reception First Washington Volunteers has not been received. CROWNINSHIELD.

Celebration Committee Meets Next Thursday

Mayor Hume issued a call this morning for the meeting of the joint committee who have in charge the arrangements for the celebration for the homecoming of the Washington volunteers, to be held Thursday afternoon in the chamber of commerce rooms at 1 o'clock. R. A. Chadwick has been appointed temporary secretary by the Mayor, to serve until a permanent selection is made, and he has been busy today notifying the different members of the proposed meeting.

Mr. Chadwick, in speaking of the approaching celebration this morning, said: "The citizens are fully awake to the importance of the event, and hope for favorable consideration of the proposition that the volunteers shall be brought direct from Manila." Yesterday John Lavery approached me and asked me when the committee was going to meet. He stated that he was ready to contribute $100 to the celebration fund.

Secretary Probst, of the chamber of commerce, received a letter from Assistant Secretary Melville this morning in reference to the Washington boys being brought direct to Seattle. It was in the exact wording of one received by the Star two weeks ago and published.

The public interest in the project for a grand celebration in honor of the Washington volunteers has by no means flagged amidst the uncertainty regarding the time and the way the boys will reach this city. The people have made up their mind and nothing will be allowed to stand in the way to give them a royal welcome. In the way, if it should happen that the Fourth and the date for the arrival of the volunteers should come close together, there is no doubt but what the city will turn its energies to ensure the homecoming celebration.

City Council Seeks to Get a Battleship.

The city council, at its meeting last night, passed a supplementary resolution, introduced by Orton, regarding the celebration in honor of the homecoming of the Washington volunteers. It was addressed to the Secretary of the Navy, and read as follows:

"Whereas, It is the manifest intention of the people of Seattle to celebrate the homecoming of the Washington troops from the Philippines by an appropriate celebration; and

"Whereas, The national holiday will also be fittingly observed by a celebration on the Fourth of July; and

"Whereas, The presence of one of the battleships which have won such glorious victories for our country in the recent war with Spain would arouse the enthusiasm of our loyal people and add to the success of these patriotic demonstrations; and

"Whereas, The battleship Iowa will, about the time of the proposed celebration, be in Puget Sound waters for the purpose of docking at the Port Orchard naval station; now, therefore, be it

"Resolved by the City Council of the City of Seattle, That the Secretary of the Navy is requested to direct that the battleship Iowa, or some other one ship of our navy, sail to Seattle harbor to take part in these celebrations..."