The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-01-18
BUCK FROM
The ORIENT:
American Minister to
Japan Here.
OTHER NOTABL[S ON CHINA
Surprised at MotionIess Clouds Dur
ing Heavy Winds Call
on Governor.

Il noticed very strange thing when
we were coming into the harpor this
evening"" said the Honorable A. E.
Buck, United States Minister to Japan,
to an Advertiser reporter aboard the
steamship China last evening. 'sThe
wind was blowing over the mountains
at a greater rate than 1 thought 1t ever
did In these ATTITUDES, but, at the same
time a great bunch of water-laden
clouds, perching on the, tops of the
mountains, was not in thesleast bit dis
turbed by the fierce blow And though
the rain from these very clouds was
blown in our faces as the steamship
came up alongside of the wharf, those
clouds did not bulge. Many of the
passengers noticed the phenomenon,
and all declared it one of the strangest
things they had seen for a long time
Colonel Buck, together with his
charming wife and beautiful daughter,
is on his way to the States on a leave
of absence for a few months. Colonel
Buck has been United States Minis
ter to Japan for the past three and a
half years. He has left his first sec
rotary in charge OF affairs While he
takes a brief vacation, and at the same
time attenos to certain personal bust
ness in the States.
Mr.. Buck is a man advanced In
years, of great experience in matters
keen observer of condi-
tons and peoples, and a man of charm
ing presence and ready wit He was
born in Maine, and is Yankee to the
backbone. During the war of the re-
bellion he served in the Union army
and distinguished himself many times
for his daring and observation-disclosures
After the war was over the Colonel
made his home for some time in Geor-
gia, where he has property and host
of friends today. He is on his way TO
Georgia now to look after certain mat
ters which require attention as the re-
suit of the recent death of relatives.
He will spend about two months in the
States, the rest of the time being spent
Colonel Buck came through Honolulu
In 1897 for the first time, when he was
on his way to Japan to represent the
United States.
You get all the news of any impor-
lance through the Oriental newspa-
pers," said Mr.. Buck. land I don't
know that have much to say that
would interest people. have lived
long enough in Japan to grow very
fond of the country, and to learn
great deal about her people. Things
were very quiet in Japan at the time
I left, and there was nothing of any
particular Importance going on. I was
in China a little over year ago, be-
fore the trouble with the Boxers start
ed. l felt then that the time was
not long far off when there would be
some such trouble as we have lately
In fact, China had so long shown
signs of a coming storm that I was
not one bit surprised when the crisis
came. Indeed, had expectedIt much
sooner.
Isn't this wind something very I'M
usual for Honolulu. We wanted to go
UP town to the Hawaiian Hotel and
listen to the band, but the wind was
so very high and there were such
threats of rain that 1 thought it would
be best for the ladies not to venture
out
Il understand that you had a slight
shock of earthquake the other night;
lid it amount to much? We are used
% that kind of thing out in Japan
Why we felt a gentle quake just before
We left Japan.
In the morning intend to call upon
Governor Dole and Secretary Cooper,
Ind must also see my friend Judge
sstee. hear that you have Tahitian
n Honolulu who is going to walk on
vhite-hot stones. 1 wish that we were
lble to see the exhibition. have seen
similar things in Japan, however, and
guess it Is about the same kind of
hing"
Mr.. and Mrs. Jeremiah Curtin are |
-lso passengers aboard the China. Cur |
In is an author, linguist, and stu
ent of mythology: He has been gath
ring material for his pen in the
orient. Curtin has won great fame as
he translator of the works Of Sienki- I
vicz, the great Polish author.
Archdeacon and Mrs. Wolfe are re-
urning to England on a visit. They |
re from Foochoxy where thew have
een for several years.
Many of the through passengers on
he China We're at the Hawaiian Hotel |
asst night, listening to the band and
Meeting the people of the Paradise OF
he Pacific.
The late Charles Keene, the artist
f Punch, used to describe with great
elight. the method of certain man
HON he called "a pot-house Ruskin."
his person was sitting with friend
l an inn parlor and was haranguing
he other man on matters in eraneraI