The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-08-26

Pleased at Suggestion That
Island Name Might Be
on Battleship.
BY Franklin Matthews, Special Core
spondent of the New York Sun.

spondent of the New York Sun.
|. ON BOARD u. 6. s. LOUISIANA
IU. S. Battle Fleet. Honolulu, July 22-
Lahaina had a distinguished visito1
within her borders when the warship.
were there. She was the ex-Queen Lii
Iiuokalani She was staying with 8
woman friend, married to wealthy
Chinese. Their home was modest but
delightful bungalow on the southern
edge of the settlement. A party of us
drove out there and asked if her ma
jesty would consent to receive us. We
were ushered into a large reception
| queen sent word that she would be
| down directly. Soon steps were heard
on the stairs. All arose. Then there
came slowly into the room the woman
whose name will be inseparably con
nected with these islands. She held
her head high and advanced slowly.
She showed something of her years,
sixty-nine, in her step, which seemed
to falter occasionally. She was dressed
in black holoku--Mother Hubbards,
we call such; it is the national every
day dress of women in all Hawaii, and
they even go to receptions in them. Tt
was of ordinary print cloth, and it had
small white figures in it. She was
dethroned monarch in calico gown
h,
band from which depended a gold crest
When well within the room the ex-
queen stopped and inclined her head
She was met by low bows by those
present. Then each person was intro, |
duced, and TO each Liliuokalani extend. |
ed her hand with the palm held upper |
most nearly as high as her shoulder |
She was playing the part of royalty in T
her manner. Then she asked all to be |
seated, and after a few commonplace T
words conversation began as if it were ,
an ordinary call. The ex-Queen said |
she was interested in looking at the |
and asked about the names
IF the four in the harbor She was told
that the names of states would soon run
put for battleships.
idea Pleased Queen.
s'Then make. Hawaii a state and
name battleship after her, said one
If the company. The ex-Queen s eyes
frightened and she said:
THAT would be most excellent
dea. Let us have an American bat,
,leship named Hawaii, and it will be
good to have Hawaii made a full state.
indorse that idea
The ex-Queen spoke at length of the
beauty of her country, the charm of
is climate aud the wonderful scenery.
She said she came frequently to Maui.
It was the home of her ancestors and
she liked it, she said. When asked if
the came away from Honolulu to avoid
he confusion of feet week she said
she did not She knew no reason why !
mere should be confusion. She said
Honolulu was amply able to care for
he sailors, and she expressed the hope
hat every one would have a good time.
She was most careful to avoid any
mention of the events that saddened
her life. Her retainers said that she
mas now resigned herself to American
sovereignty. She gave some hint of
his when some one said that Hawaii
vas unfortunately situated if she wish
ID to maintain a separate EXISTENCE;
he japanese were swarming over it
md the United States was on the othe,
tde Then some one remarked that in
few years there would have been
great danger of Japan selling it. The
x-Queen S eyes snapped and she smiled
lightly as she said to an American in
he party:
You people would have been oven
lere, too, in that case, wouldn t you"'
The ex.Queen talked at length of the !
ate Princess Kaiulani, her only niece.
The tears came to her eyes as she spoke, :
nd she used her handkerchief to dry :
hem Then she turned the converse
ion to the products of the island. A
beautiful Hawaiian mahogany settee !
vas in the room. She pointed to it to
how what fine wood there was. She
explained the scroll shape of the back :
" saying that the growth of the tree
made such a shape necessary.
1--WE do have such beautiful things
ere she added, "and | do love these !.
stands. . She said she hoped the feet
would have a safe and enjoyable trip. !
Reception at Honolulu.
But to return to Honolulu. The |
welve ships that went there direct got
he usual enthusiastic welcome. There
we're little steamers and tugs and row.
,oats and sailhoats out off the harbor. !;
he headlands were covered with folks,