Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-28
Appreciate Parade of Battle
ships Past MoIokai.
RESIDENT SENDS LETTER
Describes Passing of Uncle Sans
Around the World Patrol.
WRITES TO GOVERNOR FREAR
Hawaiian Executive Forwards Com
munication to Secretary of the
Navy-Mention of Benefits.

In its cruise around the world the
Atlantic fleet, at the suggestion of Gov.
Frear of Honolulu, passed near the Is
land of Moloka1 in order that the lepers
on that island might have the pleasure
of witnessing the spectacle of the big
warships steaming past their isolated
home. That the visit was appreciated
by the inhabitants of the leper settle
ment is shown by a letter sent by Joseph
Dutton, a resident of AIolokai. to Gov.
Frear at Honolulu and by him trans
mitted to the Navy Department.
That splendid fleet Of United States
battleships." Mr.. Dutton wrote. coming
from San Francisco to Honolulu. turn
ing from the big road. coming down the
lane-passing in parade our front yard
along the full extent of the Molokai
Ieper settlement. under tho towering
rear wall, over 1000 feet high. which
is flanked by majestic headlands and
backed by a reserve Of mountains that
are much higher. Thus precisely on
time and in exact order, with grave
and serious movement not like the cute
little steamer that clicks it's heels and
scatters the dust but like a powerful
warrior In battle array-came the six
teen, this around the world patrol that
Mr. Roosevelt is sending in the name of
Uncle Sam. These sixteen battleShfps
that have the full confidence of America
came down. the lane with a friendly nod
and passed on-so dignified and beauti
full this early July morning. The wealth
er is favorable, everything is, for this
wonderful visit: this visit SO exceed
ingly wonderful as to make the blood
tingle and the heart grow warm. 1t
helps to bring our inherent patriotism
to the surface. 1t makes us love our
whole navy-every officer every sailor.
fectiOnately. 1t makes us better Ameri-
cans. 1t is object lesson to all
Americans Or otherwise
And may God blass every one who
has even a little to do with bringing
about this great pleasure.
Speaks for the People.
THE writer had that good fortune to
think of and to suggest the possibility of
such visit. You have been, however, as
our discreet governor, the most active in
obt aiming it. Surgeon General Walter Wy
man has helped, also w. o. Smith and
the territorial secretary. F.. A. Mott-Smith.
Without this good recommendation the
proposition would hardly have succeeded.
The Interior Department and the Secre
tary of the Navy have been very nice in
forwarding the matter, and for final action
Rear Admiral Sperry, in command of the
feet, has given prompt attention.
I'm all this ] am speaking for the people
of the lerer settlement. Mr.. Waiamon.
representing the board of health i'm the
absence of Mr.. McNeigh, has asked me
to extend thanks. to all concerned in the
name of every one here, of all in the leper
asylum, place having I'm it some suf-
fering. ii cannot be DENIED, hut it is the
homo of sensible and contented people,
whose lot has become. after many years
of labor and improvement, d condition
not 40 very difficult to bear. having pa
thence as head nurse. \ people also be-
coming better acquainted with our Uncle
Sam and better satisfied to be Americans.
Gratitude Almost Beyond Expression
Thus do l express the most hearty
thanks. Personally, it is d gratitude al
most beyond expression. Am thinking
to myself: Did ever one deserve so little
and get so much?
There has been everywhere in the set
Element, so far as | have any knowledge,
the greatest possible praise. II anything
is lacking it is a new dictionary to supply
words for this.
Our abode has been called Molokai the
Best; it has surely been SO this day.
And the artistic temperament Is not
the least among the things benefited.
Such a coniuncture of wonders, both of
the creation. as seen in natures boundless
museum, and in the works that man has
brought to such perfection, could hardly
anywhere in the world have more i'm
pressive exposition than in the unique
grandeur of the mountains of MOlokai and
the silent stately movement of that col
umn of sixteen noble battleships as they
came in such precise formation down the
lane to the leper settlement"