New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-28
K4LAKAUA /.
The Story of His Trip 4rOuHd the
World IN 1891.

William y Armstrong. Illustrated 3vo PIP.
xviii. geo Frederick A stokes Company.
This is the story Of the cIrcumnavigation o:
the globe by Kalakaua 7. the last king OF the
Hawaiian Islands The author was kalalSaCa
Attorney General and accompanied him I'm the
dual capacity % Minister OF State ana Royal
Commissioner OF immigration. the king having
appointed him TO the latter post with !nstruc-
lions TO seek over the world recruits 20 the
depleted population Of the kingdom" Although
II was IN 1881 that the tour was made. this IS
the first complete record OF its events. the delay
being naIyely attributed by MI. Armstrong 10
the fact that kings above all men. resent any
language but that or aduIation and II one
would avoid ceEsUre. he is wise 70 await the
cooperation % Death and reserve his narrative
until the subject % = is I'm the other world"
The Kings chamberlain. Colonel G. II. Judd
was also OF the party. and. with Mr.. Armstrong
must have been highly diverted by the many
amusing incidents that enlivened the tour.
KaIakaua. IL seems. had az first determined
10 travel incognito. but before the journey had
been well begun he showed that he had made
up his mind 10 don the trappings OF royalty
whenever possible His course was marked by
an almost uninterrupted succession OF state
banquets. many OF which must have sovely tried
the patience Of the suite. II not OF the monarch
ruler fell asleep while a Government House din
ner was in progress and the situation was
saved only by the quick wit OF the Governors
wife who ordered the band I'm the balcony TO
play Hawaii PonoL" the familiar tune speedily
arousing his majesty. Many an amusing cpl
sode occurred at other dinners. and now and
then the King put his foot in it. in A way
wonderful 70 behold. The most noteworthy oc-
casion OF this kind occurred at banquet at
"a, cd
then Prince of Wales, and presided over by
the Lord Mayor OF London. Kalakaua had
uemorzed a speech. but, when he rose, forgot
u corr letely and obliged TO extemporize.
From the English standpoint he acquitted HIM
self creditably. but the intersection OF SEN
teuce. Il have no political parties in my own
country: there are no Land Leaguers there;
would not permit such men 10 trouble my
peopIe" aroused storm of Indignation in
Ireland The King had planned 10 include that
island in his itinerary. but when next morning
Mr.. Armstrong assured him that he would be
erected bv showers Of decayed vegetables and
a mob Of the Land Leaguers." the trip was
forthwith abandoned.
Whenever possible Kalakaua endeavored TO
combine business with pleasure. While in Japan
he not only agreed TO the abrogation of a treaty
unfavorable 10 the Land of the Rising SUM- but
secretly conducted negotiations looking TO the
Japan and the Princess Kaiulani. his niece and
heir 10 the throne. Such alliance would have
enlisted the japanese government against the
movement 10 annex Hawaii TO the United States,
but it came to naught because, aside from
social reasons. the Emperor. with his advisers
would not aid in any scheme which impaired
the sphere of American influence over Hawaii
The incident did not the pleasure OF the
roya, visit 10 Japan. but the lavish entertain
ments we're suddenly interrupted by the an
nourcenent of the assassination Of the car
Mr. Armstrong states that the King, as re-
quired by etiquette. went into retirement aad
grief over the loss OF his royal Russian brother
for the rest OF the day, but. as matter or Iact'
most of the tine was spent in admonishins ROD
ert the valet because, while drunk, ne hau
seated himself on the royal silk hat and crushed
IT," Robert was one of the most important
personages in the party, in his own estlTnauoii'
and was continually occupied in addins 70 It's
excitement Time and again the Kings entouF-
age begged him 10 discharge the valet but hala-
kaua steadfastly refused and 1t was later as
covered tina; he had secretly commissioned him
70 keen a confidential diary of the trip. Rob-
ert's sole aim in life. however according TO Mr.
Armstrong. was TO keep himself inebriated an
aim which he had little difficulty III achieving