The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-10-29
War With Spain Brought Soldiers
to Hawaii.
CAMPS M'KiNLEY AND OTIS
The Permanent Garrison - Regi-
ment and EngIneersATroo
Held Here-Transports

Almost ever since the war with
Spain opened, there have been thou
sands of soldiers in Honolulu every
day. 4 score Of L. S. transport ships
with troops for Manila have touched
and each one has remained in port for
from three to ten days. In July there
was established a permanent post gar
risoned by the First Regiment OF New
York Volunteers. There are about
1900 men in this command and they
are at Camp Mckinley. In the same
camp is battalion of United States
Volunteer Engineers. There are more
than 400 of these. The New York
boys have made themselves quite at
home. There has been talk from time
to time of moving to another place,
but the garrison will most likely re
main where it is, in Waikiki, near
Diamond Head, for the winter. The
boys have made themselves quite at
home in Honolulu. They have estab-
lished many town friendships and are
a part of the life of the city. Good
order is maintained easily.
Inside of the race track in Kapiolani
park, there was established two
months ago Camp Otis. Here have
been rendezvoused soldiers from the
coast, getting a taste of tropical eli
mate, pending continuance Of the jour
ney to Manila. There have been about
a thousand men in this camp. The es-
tablishment Of the camps in Waikiki
has been a great thing for the Tram
rrNt,, iah Hxr. hn
to have an electric line rival, and for
the small traders in town. All of the
men have been free with their money.
A mounted provost guard is main
tanned.
There is considerable in town in the
way of military establishment. A large
hospital has been opened. Brig. Gen.
King, who has been in command of
the District of Hawaii, created by Maj
Gen. Merriam, and lately abolished.
has had his headquarters in the new
Progress block. Gen. King and his
staff and the men at Camp Otis, are to
leave by the transport Arizona, lately
arrived in port from Manila. The
Arizona is the biggest, handsomest and
speediest steamship in the Pacific, so
far as boats touching the coast OF
North America is concerned.
In town there are the headquarters
of the paymaSter and of the commits
Sary and QuartermaSter departments.
The paymaSter uses Hawaiian Govern
ment vaults of the treasury for the
storage OF money and papers and is TO
have an office on the grounds of the
Executive building. The qUartermaster
is in the Progress block and the COM
missary has headquarters in a cottage
near the Hawaiian hotel. Both the
commiSSary and quartermaster de-
partments have extensive warehouse
plants near the waterfront. Near the
waterfront also are a half score OF
enormous piles of coal stored by Uncle
Sam. Lately ground has been secured
at the harbor edge here by a special
agent of the Secretary of the Navy for
the establishment of navy repair sta
ton. A large amount of space has
been taken.
The L. 5. Government transports
now in harbor are the Arizona, await
ing Gen. King and the Camp Otis men,
the Senator, with more than 200 men
aboard, and the Valencia, with about
500 passengers. Two or three more
ships of this expedition in command Of
Gen. Miller are expected within the
next three days.
BY the movement Of men in the
direction of Manila the local harbor
facilities have been greatly taxed. but
by special effort room has been made
for all corners.
The soldiers touching here have been
we'll received in town and have in
variably conducted themselves with
credit to their country. They have
spent q good deal of money here and
have enjoyed the visiting The place
has been a revelation to all of them.
Honolulu may expect now to have q
considerable soldier population right
along. There are yet to be built the
harbor defenses and the naval station
requisites, such as shops and dry dock.
After the cable is laid, which will be
within twelve months. il is believed
very heavy army and navy forces will
be maintained here constantly.