Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1898-07-30
FROM AN AMERICAN soJoURNER.
HONOLULU, July %, 1898.

ing had much to do with bring
ing on the present state of war.
The inhumanity of the Spanish
was the cause of ell the provoca-
tons. Now we hear complaints
of lack of food and water, and of
proper service on board the trans
ports bearing our troops to the
scene of action.
What shall we say of the men
who have contracted with our
Government to feed these troopsp
No doubt they are being adequate
ly paid. That they are weaken
ing the men and rendering them
less able to cope with the hard.
ships and perils before them, is
as evident as the motive which
prompts the committal of this
crime against our Government
and against humanity. What
shall we say to themp
Almost all the men are COM
planning, and all who complain
state the same facts. They are
over crowded in the transports.
They are required to wash with sea
water without fresh water to rinse
with and to use for their teeth and
their hair. The food is scant. A
pint of beans with slice of bacon,
some times accompanied by infe-
rior coffee in the same tin, is q
meal Some say their coffee was
served without sugar or milk. AS
to this then appears to have been
a difference in the service on the
different transports. The men be.
come disguised and turn from
what is offered them, though they
are hungry. Some throw the
tainted meat into the sea. They
say, ut has gone bad and stinks;
we can not eat it."
Two men, just arrived on the
Pennsylvania, called at private
residence this morning. The
spokesman said: EXCUSE US,
Madam; but we are very hungry
-"
Touching the hem of "Old
Glory" that hung by the
door, he went on.
Seeing this, L felt at liberty to
come in here, and to ask for some.
thing to eat ?"
Then they proceeded to tell
what all the men are telling about
how the troops are not properly
fed. There was evidently truth in
what they had to say. Having
heard so much since arriving here
yesterday, 1 resolved to know
something for myself.
In company with a resident of
your city, a gentleman of expert
ence and ripe judgment, 1 went
aboard one of the transports at the
dinner hour today and saw the
men receiving the MONDAY meal
1 pertook of it.
The manner of serving meal is
not appetizing. Each man, with
tin cup in the hand, came along
in single file past a place on the
narrow deck where the pint Of
soup to each was poured into the
cups; thence he proceeded tc
where the half pint of crackers fol
each was dumped in upon the
soup-this was the meal, the whole
of it;-and thence he went, like 6
dog that has received a crumb OF
a bone, to eat it where he might
could or would. Yet there
was lumber aboard the ship
and a deck which temporary
tables could be put.
We saw men eating pies. They
explained that they bought them
We saw two others eating mea
sandwiches. They had also
bought these Injuries. We asked
the other boys why they did moi
indulge in what the Chinamer
and others were offering for sale
They said, "We have no money
We have not received our pay.
We passed the officers mes
which was being served in tn
saloon on proper tables. The mel
could see also as they went to ge
their pint of broth favored wit
beef and onions. OF course tn
officers, and the men who hav
money in their pockets, buy wha
they get that is better than tn
fare on which the troopers ar
starving; but they are obliged t
eat it in the presence of thei