The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-12-22
Uncle Sam WIH Deed site for a
New ArmOry as Asked by
Governor.
LONG UNCERTAINTY SETTLED
The National Guard Officials Are
Taken Unawares, but
Much Pleased.
tFrom Thursdays Advsrtiser)

(From Thursdays Advertiser)
News received yesterday from Wash
ington that the federal government had
definitely decided to give back to the
Territory the "Armory Lot" at Hotel
and Miller streets, upon which to erect
an armory for the national guard of
Hawaii, was q surprise and Joy in many
quarters. Naturally there was much
rejoicing at headquarters in the "bun-
galow'' on the capitol grounds and at
the Governor Office, while at the head
quarters of General Macomb, com
mander of the department of Hawaii,
the news was equally pleasing.
From the war department the good
news came in lengthy communication,
to the effect that the much coveted
s'berracks lot would be formally
turned back by the government to the
Territory of Hawaii June 80 next. This
is in exact compliance with the re-
quest by the territorial authorities that
they be allowed to commence building
the new armory July l, that is if the
United States intended to give them
back the site as had been talked about
for some years.
United States to Deed Site,
The Washington communication states
that June 80 the Territory win be given
a deed to 200 by 24O feet of the lot,
This is considered ample for the cree
tion of the regulation size regimental
armory. Upon the completion of the
armory building, the communication
states, a further grant Of land for the
purpose of serving as site for store
houses and other necessary buildings
will be made from the original parcel
of ground The first grant will inclnde
that portion of the land upon which
the old drill shed now stands, and the
second win take in the oldtime quarters
of the once household guards of the
Hawaiian royal family.
oficers Pleased.
At national guard headquarters Col
onel Jones, adjutant general of the
territorial forces, and Captain johnson,
o. s. A., inspector general and in
struetor attached to the home militia,
were in high spirits. Colonel Jones ex-
pressed himself as much elated, and
said that he fell sure the concession on
the part of the national government
meant much for the future of the ma
tionaI guard in these Islands.
Captain johnson who, though a reg
ular officer, has put heart and soul into
his national guard work, said that now
fine, new home for the local soldiery
was in sight. He had no doubt but that
the territorial appropriation of 100000
would be used wisely and well and that
an armory which would be credit to
the city and to the Territory would
grace the site. Captain johnson ex-
pressed himself as greatly pleased with
the decision of the war department to
relinquish the land in favor of the ma
tional guard.
VIII Mean Much.
81 feel that it will mean a great deal
to the territorial army said Captain
johnson 'The money for the cree
ton of a fine armory has been waiting
for employment, but there was no
available lot for the purpose. Now
however, with money and land both in
sight there win be but little delay in
providing a home for the Islands ?
soldiers.
"They deserve it, too continued
Captain johnson. fOficers and men
are taking great interest in their work
and too much cannot be done by Ha-
wall or by the national government
oward fostering that spirit.'
The decision of the Washington
authorities puts an end to 4 long stand
ng uncertainty as 10 the final DISPOSE
lion Of the "old drilling grounds. -
These have been historic grounds in
he story of Hawaii as monarchy, re-
public and Territory, passing in turn
rom the hands Of the royalty 70 those
pr the young republic aud finally into
possession Of Uncle Sam.
General Wood s Plans.
General Leonard Wood, chief Of stah
u the United States Army, when con
idering the matter Of permanent
quarters for the national troops At
honolulu. was DO favor Of utilizing the
and ~ the site o. Tegimental barracks.
'or long time Il was thought that
ueh disposition Of the properly would
u made, bot the objection was adj
aneed that the plot wac not sufhei'
nily large 10 aeeommodate tHo o.
hTee regiments, as waf proposed, snd
b purchase additional mnd enough for
M purpose Hould entail go enormous
Epease upon ihe goYfTamenf since
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