The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-08-27
AN EPISODE OF 1902.
The DESTRUCTION OF THE UNITED
STATES CRUISER MILPITAS OFF
DIAMOND HEAD.
How the Whole Theory of Modern
Warfare was Suddenly
Oycrthrown.
By E. ELLSWORTH CAREY.
(Concluded.)

Washington, and the answer came
back:
1.-THE United States positively re-
fuses to entertain the question of in
demnity. Ten millions can never be
given to your paltry Kingdoms de
mand."
The United States representative
in Honolulu was very much sur
prised the next day to receive a
polite note from the Hawaiian Min
lister of Foreign Affairs, requesting
him to take his departure from the
Kingdom. "The stand taken by
your Government in the indemnity
matter will render it impossible for
cordial relations to exist between
this Government and your own, and
I am very sorry that I have but one
course to pursue in the matter, etc."
The Hawaiian Minister at Wash
ington was ordered home, and ar
rived in a few days.
At this time there happened to be
no United States cruiser in Homo
lulu harbor, although the North
Pacific squadron numbered thirty
nine cruisers. The next thing was
an order closing Hawaiian ports to
American vessels, a copy of which
was duly forwarded to Washington.
Great was the indignation which
prevailed at Washington upon the
receipt of this edict; cable
dispatch was at once sent to
Honolulu, demanding the i'm
mediate recall of the order, or
force would be used to compel COM
pliance with the demand. No atten-
ton was paid to this threat, and the
foreign representatives in Honolulu
kept the cables warm with messages
to their governments. The United
States ordered six cruisers to pro-
coed to Hawaii and maintain the
authority and dignity of the United
States. To be thus defied by one of
the smallest of nations was very pro-
voking to great country. The cab
met thought the presence of a few
monster ironclads would be all that
was necessary to compel Hawaii to
retract. So on the 18th Of June,
1902, about s am, the signal station
on Diamond Head reported a feet of
cruisers. Some were flying the
American colors and the others be-
longed to different nations, and were
About the time the fleet was
sighted three large air-ships fioated
almost imperceptably over the city
and settled on Punchbowl. The
quiet-looking gentleman in civilians
clothes had private signal station
at the Government Observatory on
Diamond Head. He was there now,
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs
was standing by him.
"You are confident that our calcu-
lations are correct?" said the minis
ter anxiously.
ooh, certainly" answered the civil
ian. "You remember Kaula?"
Eyes, yes, that is true" replied the
minister. Zone shell certainly de-
stroyed that rock, and another, ex-
ploded In the sea, caused terrible
upheaval and tidal wave. as we
learned the next morning. Still it
would be beyond endurance should
we fail"
'HRve no fear" said the other,
as he flashed a heliograph towards
Punchbowl and began to interest
himself with that instrument.
An immense concourse had
gathered about the observatory on
Diamond Head. AS soon as the fleet
was signaled the cable lines running
to Diamond Head and vicinity were
taxed to their utmost. By this time
the people of Honolulu had sus.
picion that the government had a
power behind it that was little
dreamed of. So all anxiety had
given place to curiosity. All felt
that crisis of some kind was ap-
preaching, but none had any definite
idea on the subject.
A government launch put out, with
a white flag flying. Then the war
ships that had gathered to see Ha.
wali subdued steamed slowly by Dia-
mond Head and saluted the Royal
Standard, which had just been I'm.
furled. The launch had now reached
the United States flagship, Sacra.
mento, and delivered a note. 1t was
brief, and the admiral read it to his
staff:
1.-THE prohibition concerning Am.
erican vessels is still in force. Any
of your feet that crosses the line Of
Diamond Head must expect serious
trouble" It was signed by the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs.
"That is pretty COOL" said the adj
miral to his officers, as he read the
note.
81 wonder what those fellows are
up to" said the captain, as he strokeo
his moustache. sit don't seem pos
sible that they mean to bluff u.s."
Il don't think they would do any
thing like that" replied the admiral
sit looks as though they mean bust,
ness. They evidently came out tc
have a picnic. Just look at that
mob about Diamond Head! I won
der if they have the blanked harbo1
full of torpedoes? We had better &C
slow. Mr.. Brown, you will signal
the feet to fall in line, and let the
Milpitas lead, carefully, with tor
pedo nets ready; have her captain
send down some torpedo hunters, >
IN armor, to see what they can find.'
The signal officer quickly gave the
l cn,.dn,..- ri AZ 81 Il l.