The San Francisco call., 1898-08-16
SIMPLE FETES
 FOR VOLUNTEERS Gentle HaWaiians Show
 Hospitality. GRIM WARFARE FORGOTTEN GARLANDs OF FLOWERS FOR UNCLE sAM's BOYS. How Those Who Went With the Fourth Fleet Enjoyed Their
 Brief Stay at the Is-
 land Capital.
GRIM WARFARE FORGOTTEN
GARLANDs OF FLOWERS FOR
 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS.
Special Correspondence of The Call.


 ABOARD THE RIO DE JANEIRO,
 Honolulu Harbor, Aug. 2.-Our ship
 swings idly at anchor, while the light
 of a rising moon glitters across the bay
 and casts black shadows from the other
 ships. This afternoon we cast loose
 from the shore and early tomorrow
 morning the Pennsylvania and RIO
 start on the long 5000 miles Of tropical
 ocean travel for the Philippines: It
 seemed hard to realize in the midst of
 the quiet beauty of this tropical night
 that grim business is probably ahead
 of us. The transports are full of the
 sounds of laughter and song. The
 kindly spirit of this land of sunshine
 and flowers seems to have entered into
 the men. During our brief stay here
 all has been joyous and generous.
 There have been smiles and welcome
 everywhere for officers and men alike.
 While out with a party or men TOT
 signal practice yesterday we stopped
 in an open bit of ground. where the hill
 upon which the other party was sta
 toned was plainly visible A crowoo U U
 of native boys and girls soon assembled
 and they were followed by their elders.
 Soon a pail of ice water was brought
 Then came native fruits in profuslon.
 Then the women brought the circular
 wreaths of flowers, and soon the men
 were wreathed in flowers. All of 1t
 was done with such a lovely, simple
 grace that 1t was irresistible. And
 we of northern birth were taught a les son in artless good nature and geper- osity.
 From the drill we marched to the banquet, where the ladies of Honolulu had spread a flower crowned feast for the men of the Rio. The palace grounds, where the shaded tables were laid. was filled with men whom eight days of crowded transport life had given a keen appreciation or 1reSh fruits and the lighter articles Of food, for. although our men were well fed on the transport, the menu is neces- sartly somewhat limited, when the
 utensils consist of a meat ration pan, tin cup and knife and fork. Here, In the midst of palms and strange flower ing trees, with the band playing ana
 waited on by the ladies of Honolulu, the men had a feast which must have touched the most prosaic with its beauty and novelty. The officers were nicely entertained at the Officers Club on the palace grounds.
 There is something in this island paradise which robs men of all rest lessness and makes the panoply of wal seem absurd. If war consisted of moonlight concerts by the band, ban- quets adorned with fruits and flowers and the pleasing evolutions of march ing, I grant that Hawaii is eminently fitted for it.
 Beautiful, kindly land! AS I look al these quiet cottages standing back from the streets in their tropical gardens, can we'll understand why one Of the old residents regretted annexation. For 1 1t brings the cable, electric cars, north ern capital and energy, and the rest less surge of commerce and greed. The
 kindly natives, with their simple ways and garlands, will learn sterner lessons 1 and the dolce far niente life must give
 way to the practical. The officers and men of these transports have been, in- deed. fortunate to have seen Hawaii be- fore it Is spoiled As it is, we carry naught but loveliest memories of our halt at the midocean camp before we again face the long stretch of ocean travel and the great unknown of the Philippines. BY AN OFFICER.