The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-21
Troops at Honolulu in
Good Health.
DISEASE ON TRANSPORTS
NO HITCH IN THE TRANSFER OF
THE ISLANDS.
Will Require Years to Perfect Per-
manent Military Quarters-No
Accommodations for Addi-
tional Troops.

Major General H. c. Merriam arrived
at an early hour yesterday morning on
the steamer Australia from Honolulu, and
is happy to be back in his old quarters in
the Phelan building. Speaking of a re-
ported misunderstanding as to the final
transfer of the islands to the representa-
tives of the United States he said yes
terday in relating his experiences that
there was no serious difficulty. A ques-
ton was raised as to the proper method
of obtaining possession of the public prop
erty, but this was readily settled satisfac-
torily to all parties concerned
1T is a mistake said the general, ito
say that there was even the slightest
friction in any quarter. On the contrary,
I found nothing but cordially and gooo
will on the part of the Hawaiian officials.
They are now exercising their func-
lions under the authority Of the President
of the United States, and business Is run
ming smoothly"
With reference to the soldiers now gar
risoned at Honolulu, General Merriam
said that the camps were located on lana
belonging largely to the Government, and
that little more can be done to improve
the temporary camps at present.
Before | left for Honolulu" said the
general, II recommended the erection of
barracks for the housing of the troops,
but so far as l know nothing has been
done in that direction. If the material
and funds We're at hand now the shelters
could be constructed before the rainy sea-
son sets in" He further stated that as
these things were not forthcoming at the
time of his departure, he had done the
and ordered floors put in the tents. Asked
II the accommodations provided were suf-
f1cient he stated that II no more troops
were quartered there those now in camp
could be properly cared for.
when 1t comes to the question of per-
manent camps" said the general. 'it may
laa s1fr u
large expenditure of money before it is
settled. 1t is a proposition that must be
adjusted from strategical standpoint
and when once settled should be per-
manent. There is no dearth of proper To-
cations, but it will require much time to
secure and properly equip them for for
Tense is the first item to be considered
and Congress handles such matters. I
trust that such arrangements as 1t is
possible to make will be concluded before
will be no serious trouble"
General Merriam's attention was called
to the fact that convalescent soldiers who
returned on the Australia complained
bitterly Of their treatment on board the
transport and In camp at Honolulu.
II haye sa heard I'd none of these com
duty to not only hear grievances, but to
correct them. The accommodations in
camp were the best that could be afford
ed and the hardships were incident to the
heat, to which the men were not accus-
toned. While the temperature is not
high, it is depressing and very disagree
able to those unaccllmated. l must con-
fess that l am glad to get back to the
cool weather of San Francisco.
AS to the command stationed there,
the men are in exceptionally good health
and nearly all the sickness tat has de-
veloped was carried there on the trans
ports. Naturally there have been sew
eral deaths. I realize the discomforts
that must exist on transports in the
tropics and that all cannot have state
rooms. Most of the complaints. think
come from the fact that nearly all the
volunteers in private life have been ac-
customed to travel in good style and find
II hard to adjust themselves to the hard
ships incident to time of war;
When asked IL he expected to go to
Manila. East or remain in San Francisco
General Merriam bluntly replied that he
expected to "obey orders" and did not
know what they would be. He further
stated that from his knowledge of the
work on hand when he left the islands, the
Hawaiian Commissioners need not be ex-
pected to return for two or three weeks.