The Hawaiian gazette., 1891-09-01
AN EPISODE OF 1902



of the treaty was not broken, the
intent and design were thwarted. Il
was claimed that the spirit of the
treaty was violated.
Hawaii suffered in consequence
and claim was made for recon-
pense. The justice of the claim was
acknowledged by many, but the
United States determined to disallov
the same.
Promises were made that the mat
ter would receive attention. A bill
was introduced into Congress calling
for the formation of a commission
but the whole matter had been
allowed to grow dusty in pigeon
holes.
The Hawaiian Government at.
tempted TO get an acknowledgment
from the United States to the effect
that indemnity was due, but no such
Acknowledgement could be obtained.
or course the Hawaiian nation was
in no position to do anything except
10 offer suggestions and await the
pleasure of Brother Jonathan. In
1895 the Pacific cable was laid from
San Francisco TO Honolulu, with
branches from the latter place to the
Colonies and Japan.
The question of indemnity seemed
as far from settlement as ever when
an event happened that placed a
different coloring on the matter.
One afternoon in June, 1902, the
Government Observatory at the sum-
NIT of Diamond Head telephoned
strange air-ship from the northwest.
In a short time tie city of Honolulu
was thrown into futter of excite
ment by seeing a magnificent air-car
float gracefully over the city and dis
appear over the rim of Punchbowl.
Soon strange vehicle came swiftly,
but easily and quietly, down the
drive from Punchbowl, and took the
most direct course to the Govern
ment building. The vehicle con-
sisted of beautiful boat resembling
a whale boat, but made of aluminium.
1t was supported on four wheels,
which seemed intended to act as
wheels on land and as propellers In
the water, for it was evident at once
that the curious carriage was equally
at home on terra firma or in the
aquacious element.
The carriage was propelled by
some unseen engine, probably cleo
trio in principle. Within the am
phibious machine sat three men.
One, evidently the superior in com
mand, was a quiet-looking gentleman
about 50 years of age, dressed as
civilian; the others were in uniform,
of pattern new to the spectators,
and were very intelligent-looking
men. One of these controlled the
movements Of the car. At the rear
end was a short staff, from which
futtered a long scarlet pennant.
When the car arrived at the
Government House one of the men
in uniform stepped out and said, in
English, to someone standing near:
evil you please tell the Minister
of Foreign Affairs that a gentleman
desires to speak to him"
Permission was soon given and
the one in the suit of civilian
passed into the building. By this
time a thousand or more persons had
gathered around the car and its two
occupants. They said nothing in
reply to the many questions; but
they cautioned the crowd not to
touch the car, and those assembled
needed the caution with care.
After the lapse of an hour,
clerk from the foreign Office brought
a card and handed 1t to one of the
men in the car, whereupon the car
immediately moved of, and was
soon lost to sight up the Punchbowl
road. That evening about IL O'Clock
several private carriages stopped at
a certain spot near the base OF
Punchbowl, and soon there were col
lected the sovereign, the cabinet,
and members of the Supreme Court.
In a few minutes the strange car
moved silently to the spot, and the
whole party were taken on board,
and were soon gliding up the noun
tain road. Presently they saw the
immense air-ship resting quietly on
a level space near the summit. 1t
looked like an immense torpedo, and
it was evidently composed of alumni
NUN. Air-ships had been seen be-
fore in Honolulu, but nothing that
eaualled this. A neat stairway of
woven wire extended in graceful
curve over the side of the vessel.
The royal party were soon seated
on the broad upper deck, enclosed
by a shining metal railing. Soon
the crater seemed to sink beneath
them, and ere they we're aware they
were floating out over the silent city,
without a jar or seeming motion,
bathed in the lambent light of a
tropic moon.
In the morning the widest excite
ment reigned IN Honolulu. To be-
gin with the ADVERTISER contained a
special phonogram as follows:
LIHUE, June 1O.-A message by wire
from Niihau states that the small rock
islet of Kaula, lying about 10 miles south
west OF that place was DESTROYED last |
night. 1t is supposed that a submarine
earthquake must have buried 1t IN the |
sea. 4 tidal wave about three feet high
was noticed at many places on Kauai |
about P. n.
Rumors were flying thick and fast
concerning the visit of the alr-shlp |
and the interview with the Minister.
But the Minister was very reticent: