The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-11-10
ARMY BOARD HAS IN
SPECTED SITES
Continued from page ID

not believe it will be located on any
of the other islands, the most natural
site is Oahu, near Honolulu.
I'VE intend to visit the other ISL
ands of course, but hardly for the pur-
pose of picking site for a military
post. Still there are contingencies
where a knowledge of the lay of the
land in all the islands of the group will
be of the utmost Importance to the War
Department. We must be prepared for
any emergencies. There is always the
likelihood that the United States NAV
become involved in war at some future
time. Then an enemy might land on
one of the other islands. Hardly
though unless it wanted to be bottled
I'D.
1T is difficult to say just what the
United States intends to do in the way
of military post for Hawaii. Prob
ably quarters will be erected to shell
ter a regiment of infantry. 1t depends
upon Congress just what will be done.
The War Department can only recon-
mend and be prepared with plans to
carry out whatever may be decided up
on, or for which money is appropriated.
There is at present no money avail
able for an army post in Hawaii. There
was a general fund of two million dol
lars at the disposal of the War De-
partment for buildings and quarters,
; but it seems that the money could be
expended only upon already establish
ed army posts. This of course made
it impossible to use any of the fund
in establishing new post in the ISL
ands.
1.-THE fact is that there, are not enough
quarters in the United States at pres
ent to accommodate the increased
army. Most of the posts are being used
as recuperating stations for the men
who have seen service in the Philip
pines. The army in the Philippines is
to be reduced now, though. AS far as
/, I know it is not the intention to make
this recuperating station. Probably a
regiment of infantry may be sent here.
Hawaii is now a part of the United
States and must be taken care of like
the rest of the country. Plans have
been prepared to make Pearl Harbor
absolutely impregnable both by land
and sea. This has already been report
ed upon and the War. Department is
ready to go ahead as soon as Con-
gress appropriates the money. General
Gillespie, Chief of Engineers, has ask
ed for $526,000 in his annual report to
be used in Hawaii. This money is Cor
the acquisition of sites for the fortifica-
tions about Pearl Harbor and else
where. The plans for this work are of
course secret.
1--WE intend to leave for Hawaii in
tomorrow's steamer and expect to re-
turn again on Saturday. Some of the
members of the board may remain
| over to conduct further Investigations.
GENERAL GILLESPIE'S REPORT.
In the report of General Gillespie,
chief of engineers, some attention is
paid to Hawaii. Gillespie says:
/ THE degree of defense to be provided
for coaling and other naval stations,
scattered all over the world, for the
larger naval bases which must be
promptly established and for which ap-
preparations are asked of Congress by
the Navy Department; for the post of
Manila, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu.
and for the lake ports and the St.
Lawrence river, should preferably be
determined by tribunal similar to the
Endicott board as recommended in my
last annual report.
PLANS OF DEFENSE.
"In the absence of legislation on the