The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-05-31

AAf4AS the lNChS IN 11IS manner the
cabin passengers gave = hop. which
was greatly enjoyed by the men in
search Of q place to lzy their head.
At the end OF thirty-six hours the
men whose quarters have bean fumf-
gated are then required TO take a bath
and then deposit the clothing that has
not been fumigated in z small room
and then return naked 10 their quar-
tsrs, which have been opened M in
the meantime. and then put on a fresh
suit A large number OF recruits had
no change Of clothing. and were COM
PEELED TO remain in bed, unless some
old soldier took pits on them and loan
ed them clothes. They presented ln-
dicrous pictures in their misery. be-
ing bedecked in all manner of attire
Not few had overcoats and nothing
else.
In a small room about twenty feet
square over 400 men deposited their
clothes for Immigration, without any
order, and when the doors were open
the men were allowed TO rush in to
collect their own, which they did in
a body. The fumes of sulphur were
very strong. and the men emerged
AAOAA int AeAA = A-OAC IA q N0u-
dition. They eoughed for an hour aft
erward- They kept a tight grip. how
ever. on their little bundles.
The first men in got their pick, and
if they could not find their own
clothes would appropriate some other
soldiers, and the last men in could
only gaze upon the vacant space where
their clothes once rested This state
of affairs caused much unprintabIe
language. and it was several hours be
fore the men got quieted ~own. It
is to be sincerely hoped that there viii
be no more need for fumigation on
this unlucky trip
The man Kelly who broke out with
the smallpox evidently brought the
disease with him from point in Mis-
souri, where he enlisted. March 25. and
was Immediately sent to the San Fran
cisco casual camp at Presidio. He
was only in this camp four days be-
fore being assigned TO the 18th Infan-
try.
Good Recruiting Stations Needed.
The casual camp at Preside must
be badly managed, as the men who
joined our company from there were
suffering from hunger, and they at
tackled the first meal We gave them
like wolves. They did not act like hui
man, and the non-commissioned off,
GERS had their hands full keeping them
under control
Some years ago there were several
well-appointed recruiting stations in
the United States, where recruits were
kept about four months, and well drill
ed and instructed before being assign
ed to regiments
Now there is no such place. and the
men are shipped direct to their regi-
ments green, with the exception of
short stay at Bedloe's Island. Fort
Slocum or San Francisco. The men
obtain false idea of soldiers duty
at these places and it takes a long
time TO break him of his bad habits
after joining his company The old
system should be revived on a larger
scale
Thirty-five recruits Joined my COM
pany from this camp at Preside. with
out a change of underclothing, and
they have not had a chance to get
any to date. One of these men was
discovered TO be covered with vermin
when he had to remove his clothes
for bath and fumigation.
There is such a demand for recruits
these days that the recruiting officers
do not appear to be very particular
Out of 900 soldiers on this boat there
are over a hundred eighteen years of
age or less. and fully 200 of them are
totally worthless as soldiers for sew
eral years to come. The majority of
them are farmer boys from Kansas,
Missouri and Indian territory.
coaIing Under Difficulties.
The crew has been coaling the ship.
as the board of health will not allow
the regular coalers TO board a pest
ship. They bring out huge barges,
full of coal. which they leave along
side. and then return to the city. The
men are having excellent pastime div
ing from these barges. They do not
swim far on account of sharks, which
are quite plentiful in this harbor. A
few days ago one of the men dived.
and when he arose out of the water
huge shark made for him. but the
yells of the onlookers frightened him
away
The men are compelled to battle
daily, generally without soap. as the
saltwater brand is given out so spar
ingly that the men spirit it away with
in a short time after it is placed on
the stands
Stealing is being done on board by
the wholesale. and the men are guard
ing their small possessions continual
". The recruits are mainly to blame
for this. as have invariably found old
soldiers honest. Before the late war
soldier could leave anything OF value
around the barracks without fear OF
theft
Some recruits unfortunately get bad
advice at the outset. was a witness
to discussion the other day between
a recruit and his first sergeant, which
officer is as father to the men.
The recruit. with a number of 9th.
ers. had never been issued a mess kit
and he had been compelled to borrow
for ten DAYS. and he rightly thought
that he had right TO complain. He
asked for dishes in a very respectful
manner. but the first sergeant was in
a bad humor and answered the poor
recruit in a language not choice.
Queer Advice.
How in h can I give you am
iishes7s he replied. Il haven't goi
any and don't know where I can gel
any. There are plenty of dishes