The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-01
AT THE BARRACKS.
The Men Show Their Loyalty and Dis
cipline-A Council Of War.

cipline-A Council Of War
Yesterday afternoon and last evening
until late hour was an exciting and
busy time around the military head
quarters of the Provisional Government.
The determination of Commissioner
Blount to witt draw the y. S. Protect.
crate, which would throw the whole
responsibility of maintaining peace and
quiet in Honolulu upon the Govern
ment, found them ready and willing to
assume that charge.
The officers in command were busy
at the barracks making the necessary
preparation for the change, which was
to take place at II O'Clock this morn
ing. Everything, however, was done
without unnecessary excitement or hur-
ry. The men of Company f, were
put through the regular drill of defense
and ohense and everything was found
to work with clock like regularity
In the meantime a Council of war
was held at the Headquarters of Colo
mel Soper in the Palace. The officers
of the battalion we're to be seen con-
stantly fitting between the barracks,
the drill shed and the palace; and al
though the troops were not yet in the
secret they were aware that some i'm
portant movement was on foot, as all
the new uniforms had been issued and
frequent whispered consultations were
taking place between their commanders.
Their suspicious were shortly strength
ened when Ministers Porter and King
accompanied by AttorneyGsneral Smith
passed the drill shed on their way to
the barracks, shortly to return escorted
by an orderly who conducted them to
the Military headquarters at the Pa
lace.
BY nine O'Clock it was learned that
the determination had been arrived at
by the Council Of war, in consultation
with the Provisional Government, to
"hold the fort" at all hazards and await
developments. The news acted with
electric effects on the men at the bar.
racks, and the excitement visibly in
creased when, few minutes later the
officers, in full service uniform, accom-
panied by President Dole and the
Cabinet arrived among them.
Their appearance was the signal for
a renewal of drill practice, and, al
though many of the men had gone to
bed, when the bugle sounded the
doors were closed and secured and the
men were under arms and at their
posts, many of them half dressed,
within the space of two minutes
President Dole expressed his appre-
citation and pleasure at the efficiency of
both men and officers, and shortly
afterwards returned to the palace with
the officers of the battalion to complete
the arrangement of future details which
have been already partially carried out
Orders were issued last night for the
volunteer companies to assemble this
morning at 10 o'clock at the drill she'd
Company A was first under arms.
Company b soon followed and in a
few minutes companies c and ID APP,
peared and the big drill shed resounded
with the steady tramping of the soldiers
and the clatter of the arms of those
going through the regular maneuvers.
There was large number of spect
ators present many of whom were
natives They crowded the doors and
walks around the barracks watching
the preparations in silence.
At half past ten o'clock the battalions
was drawn up facing the lawn, prepare,
tory to marching to the government
building, and at few minutes before
eleven o'clock the command to move
forward was given and the battalion
filed away down Palace Walk.