The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-07-25
TO CONTINUE
REGULAR SERVICE TO HONOLULU
REMAINS.
Captain Baker, Quartermaster of the
Transport Grant Explains why ves-
sells Will Stop at Honolulu.

Contrary to adverse reports the trans
port service to this port is not to be dis
continued Quartermaster General Lud-
ington was quoted recently as saying
that the transports would not, in future
stop at Honolulu as they were - go to
the Philippines by the Great Circle
route. Captain Baker the uuartermas-
ter of the transport Grant is the au-
thority however, for the statement that
the service by way of Honolulu it not
to be discontinued.
In official circles it has been unofi-
cially announced that an order will go
into effect August 1. directing that the
regular transport service of two yes
sells month to the Philippines. py way
of Honolulu will be continued. The
transport leaving on the 1st of each
month viii stop at Guam after leaving
here while the vessel on the 10th of
the month goes straight through to
Mania, after stopping at Honolulu. The
southern route is regarded as the most
natural and proper for the reason that
Honolulu is an important port and is
destined to be so as long as vessels ply
the Pacific Ocean.
Were il not a matter of coaling the
transports would return by way of
Honolulu. Captain Baker states that
the present system Of takin the north
ern route on the home voyage is made
necessary by the fact that sufficient
coal deposits for the coaling Of vessels
nave not yet been discovered in the
Philippines. As soon as such deposits
are discovered however il will be no
longer necessary for the transports to
go TO Nagasaki to coal as is now re-
qulred and the vessels can receive the
necessary amount of coal at Manila and
so come home by way of the Hawaiian
Islands.
Had 1t not been for an unnecessary
scare which was felt by people in army
circles the transport Hancock with the
adjutant general, surgeon general, com
mlssary general and Congressional
party aboard would have come by this
route last month. Some yarn to the
erect that six white people had died
of the plague in Honolulu caused the
officials on the Mainland to fear lest the
Hancock be detained after touching
here so it was decided at the last mo-
ment, to change her route and leave
out Honolulu altogether. 1t was stated
that such course would be unneces-
sary. DIR. Carmichael the quarantine Of
hcer at San Francisco advising the Off
GERS that they would not run any risk
of being quarantined should they stou
here. 1t was decided not TO take the
risk however as the various heads of
department were anxious to complete
their respective tours of inspection
within certain time so they said they
would leave out Honolulu.
captain Baker has been in charge of
the Grant over two years and a half
ana his views on the subject Of routes
70 the philippines are given more con-
sideration probably than those of any
other officer He is a strong advocate
for the Honolulu route and is confident
that the War Department does not CON
template making any change.
Dufln" the present StOD here the
Grant has not taken on any coal as
she was given a sufficient amount to
make the complete trip to Manila.
Ihere are sufficient supplies on hand in
the Philippines to last five months or
more so it was decided unnecessary
Dy the war Department to pile up more
supplies when they were not required.
Instead of loading the Grant therefore
with supplies she was given a special
ballast of coal. The Logan will prob
abb be the next transport here and the
Thomas the second.