The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-09-02
LIEUT.. MOSS
Writes From Manila HarbOr-
Tells of the Burial of a Ha-
waiian Queen and Other
Items of Interest.

Latitude, 100 g. North,
Longitude, 1900 ~ East.
On board u. =. A. Transport Sheridan, }
July FL, 1899.
My Dear Father presume the letter
wrote to mother from Honolulu was duly
received.
We were very fortunate in reaching Homo
lulu the day of the funeral of kapiolan, the
Queen Dowager of the Hawaiian Islands
Being exceedingly popular among the whites
and the natives, Honolulu turned out en-
masse to pay a last tribute of respect to the
dead queen. A fine opportunity was thus
afforded to see something of the native
character.
The funeral services were held in the his
toric Kawaiahas church, most gorgeously
decorated with flowers, draperies, kahilis,
affairs resembling large feather dusters) etc.
The procession, which required about
forty minutes to pass given point, was
headed by four natives bearing torches
made by binding kukui nuts between ii
leaves. Then followed the mounted police,
the foot police, native cadets, benevolent
societies, clubs of Hawaiian women gowned
in black; tenants, employees and retainers of
the late queen; Hawaiian National Guard
and u. S. Army soldiers; servants of kapio-
lani, the clergy and the surpliced choir.
After this came the Royal Catafalque drawn
by $50 natives, with small yellow silk capes
thrown over their shoulders, and wearing
white canvas hats, white trousers and black
sweaters. A number of carriages with Pres
rcsen,atves, Judges of the Supreme Court,
Foreign Ministers, ETC., completed the pro-
ccssion. Here and there along the line of
march native men and women could be
heard singing weird, mOurnful chants.
The services and the procession were the
greatest combination of heathenism and
christianity have Witnessed.
What saw of Honolulu and the natives,
impressed me most favorably. The city is
Just a little different from anything l had
ever before seen, and possesses n certain
charm that completely Crptivated me.
1t was our misfortune to leave san Fran
cisco without a banl on board. The day
reached Honolulu / started Il Subscrip
ton lis: among the officers, and secured
about 500 with which to buy musical inStru-
ments. From among the ISon soldiers on
the Sheridan, Succeeded in organizing an
orchestra of seven pieces, and we have been
having daily evening concerts on the saloon
deck. a quartette from my detachment
also favors with songs. These concerts
very popular and do much toward
breaking the mnnotony of the voyage.
About 4 o'clock a. M, July IS, we passed
within five Or six miles of Farallon de
Pajaros, active volcano, and could
plainly See volumes of smoke and tire COM
ing from the crater. 1t is on the norther-
most island of the LaGrone group, and lies
in Lat. 200 So N. and Long. 144o 49,
East.
The air seems to agree with me, and
my health is now better than it has been at
what have read the subject, we'll
from what l have been able to learn from
persons who have lived in Manila, the Phil
iprines not unhealthful, and with
due care there is no reason why one should
not enjoy good health there.
Since leaving the United States l have
read several magazine articles on ''Expan-
sion'' and ''Anti- Expansion. with the re-
suit that my mind is now filled with doubt
and uncertainty. Indeed, am what may
be called 'sPhilippine Agnostic' '-for 81
know not.'' Read what Carl Schurz says
about ''An,i- Expansion, and you are con-
WINGED that the Philippines should not be
annexed-read what Whitelaw Reid says
they should be annexed. However, l worry
but little about the matter-as a soldier my
duty plain-follow the flag and fight my
country's enemies!
We expect to reach Manila next Monday,
July "a Upon our arrival, I'll add post
script, giving the exact time.
You will find herewith some kodak views
l took while in Honolulu.
I will write home often possible, but,
on account of being in an active campaign,
my letters will necessarily be very irregular.
1 know how both you and mother feel
about my going to the Philippines, but
beg of you not to worry too much about me
UNNECESSARY anxiety will do me good,
and will do you both harm. l chose the
army as my vocation of my own free will
and accord, and am still perfectly satisfied
and content with my lot. In case of any
thing serious Detailing me, you will at ouee
be no tilted by cable-in the absence of such
news, you will, therefore, know that 1
getting along all right.
Your loving son,
JAMES a. Moss.
p. $. In Manila Harbor, $50 p. M,
July "a, ISoo.-Entered the harbor at 10
O'Clock this morning, and now anchored
about three miles from the city.
My company and three other companies
of the 24th arrived yesterday on the Zeal
andia, and now at Caloocan, five miles
north of Manila, and where myself and de-
tachment will join them within day two.
Mrs. Zephirin Martin, the veuer
able mother of Assessor Martin,