The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-09-02
The Military Craze

The opposition Palace Party are parading
what they term q public grievance, and they
lose no opportunity Of introducing and com
menting on the phrase Military Craze AT
the late political dinner this subject was venti-
lated by some of the speakers. Now let US look
into this matter and find out the true parties
who are responsible for the ''craze." Any resi-
dent of ten years standing should remember
that the Bishop Ministry of His late Majesty
Lunalilo abolished the army. and the palace
was left without a soldier. This was after the
Barrack Riot when % native soldiers deied the
Government, aided by a volunteer force COM
posed mainly of foreigners.)
On the accession of His present Majesty. n
change took place, Mr.. Hartwell, the present
mOuthpiece of the Opposition Palace Party, "
who sounds the keynote, was a member of
the Ministry and the leading view OF his policy
was ''force, and that the Government of the
country could not be carried on without the aid
of an armed force and therefore II was re-
solved to have such q force at any cost; citizens,
foreign as well as native were invited TO enlist;
and Mr.. Walter NJ. Gibson, who was appointed
contrary to law, We believe, assistant Marshal
by the Attorney-General, assisted TO organize
this force. The men were arrayed in uniform
and armed with billies. Many will recall to mind
our present Prime Minister. filled with that
military ardor that animated his chief-march-
ing at the head OF a company of recruits, when
attending the funeral of the late lamented Luna
lilo. The city was kept constantly on the Qui
UtUe by the Issue OF Minister HartwelIs military
order; his PARTICLES of war, made and proclaimed
by His Majesty the King. To govern the royal
guard and forces, when Oh duty"-also rules
and regulations, made and proclaimed by His
Majesty to govern the military forces of the
Kingdom" General order No. l. Was promptly
followed by 2, 3, and 4, etc.-well-to-do ease
loving and corpulent ''Cits" were commanded
to arm and equip themselves and to report and
parade, and were so worried with parades, ETC..
that the Military Craze of Minister HartwelI
became intolerable and ridi ulous--consequently
the assistant Marshal satisfied with military
glory retired with his billy, but the germ of mill
tary craze then planted by Minister Hartwell at
the palace took root and is now hourishing there
to this day, and our only desire is to show that
this mouthpiece of the Opposition Palace
Party" was the actual creator of the MILITARY
Craze" He would now "hark back and is de
sirous of 8 offering the babe. The babe has
become a man and he now finds him too strong
to destroy.
Co tinuing this subject, what does this armed
force consist of. We find we have 50 men
tolerably well armed and drilled besides them
there are about $50 volunteers seldom drilled,
and presumably not accustomed to The use of
arms. Ex-Minister Hartwell recommended an
armed force of about 300 men.
A city like this should have $50 efficient
soldiers and as many more distributed through
the other islands. TIL Militia of the United
States represent one million efficient soldiers fit
for field service, being 1 to As of the population;
therefore, ON this basis, little Hawaii would be
entitled to q force of 1000 armed men simply to
preserve the peace within our own borders. In
q mixed population like ours there is no telling
what necessity may arise for the protection of
life and property, to employ an armed force to
quell any unlawful proceeding and therefore it
Is absurd to blame those in authority for provid-
ing against any such contingency. ITO be fore
armed is to be forewarned,"
We do not blame Ex-Minister Hartwell's plea
for an armed force, but his sneer at and denun-
citation of that of which he may very properly
claim the paternity.