The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-04-22
Minister Willis Ignored by Naval
Commanders.
SALUTNG BY NAVAL SHIPS.
Kate Field Investigates Rules for
Salutin1 Ofncials-Captain Wilder
Salunss without Consulting the
MISUNDERSTANDING Presidents Dole.

Honolulu, Feb 15.-EveF since that
JANUARY 17 imbrogliO discussions as 10
fhs status OF ths American naval and
civil ofleiais in foreign lands hnxe h0en
frsauent among people whose gossip
rises above the dead leVsI of parsonal-
itiea- a few cnntand. taking NP.
Blount's paramount" orders as author
ity, thai our navy has no existence in
Honolulu harboF except as this ex-
istence Is signif1ad through th6 Amer-
lean legation, and that IT is the duty
of the commanding officer TO take his
instructions from our minister, SO far
as they relate to this country. IL this
opinion be correct, Mr.. Willis did not
exceed his authority in withholding the
Hawaiian governments. invitation to
the Bennington to assist in the National
celebration OF last January, and Cap
tain Pigman showed proper difference
following the lead of his official super
dor. Most persons, however, argue that
unless President Cleveland. as COM
mander-in-chief Of the army and navy,
has invested Mr.. Willis with autocratic
power, the navy is it's own master, and
is responsible wholly to Secretary Her
bert Wanting to learn the truth /
have investigated for myself and place
before the readers of the Times-Herald
the rules for the navy Issued from
Washington in 1898. Whether before
or after the Blount episode, 1 don't
know. 1t is we'll to be informed ON
subject that, unless am greatly mis-
taken, is bound to excite universal
criticism.
Regulations of the Navy.
Section 4. Intercourse with foreign
ers.
Article 279-When not informed as
to the officials present at port visit
ed whom it is usual to visit, or as to the
interchange of other courtesies, he
shall send an officer of his staff to the
senior representative of the United
States at the port, or in the absence of
any such representative, to the highest
local official, in order to inform him
self.
Article 28O-1. He shall preserve,
so far as possible, the most cordial re-
lations with the diplomatic and con-
sular representatives of the United
States in foreign countries, and to ex-
tend to them the honors, salutes and
other official courtesies to which they
are entitled by these regulations.
2. He shall carefully and duly con-
slider any request for service or other
communication from any such repre-
sentative.
8. Although due weight should be
given to the opinions and advice OF
such representatives, commanding
officer is solely and entirely response
BILE to his own immediate superior for
all official acts in the administration of
his command.
Article 281-He will as a general
rule, when in foreign ports, communi-
cate with local civil officials and for
eign diplomatic and consular authori-
ties through the diplomatic or consul
lar representatives of the United States
on the spot.
Article 282-In the absence of a dip
lOndIIc OF cOHSuIdT OluCeF OIL the OuII-
ed States at a foreign port he has au-
thority,
1. To exercise the powers of a con-
sui in relation TO mariners of the
United States.
2. To communicate or demonstrate
with foreign civil authorities as may
be necessary.
8. To urge upon citizens of the
United States the necessity of abstain
ing from participation in political con-