The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-05-23

WELLINGTON, N. h., April 30
America has settled down permanent
ly at Hawaii, fortifying Pearl Harbor
until it has become another Gibraltar
Has it an eye to the Japanese, or is
It concerned only with trade routes?
These interesting points we're discuss
ed with your representative today by
the Rev. w. d. Westervelt, a promi-
nent resident of Honolulu, who has
almost completed long holiday in
New Zealand.
Quite surprising was his account of
the military forces now at Honolulu.
They include between two and three
thousand United States infantry, while
there is a cavalry camp containing the
crack United States regiment, the
Fifth. Then there is another large
camp Of 900 to 500 marines As for
Notifications, Mr.. Westervelt explain
ed that the United States government
has spent several millions sterling on
that class of defence and the equip
ment of the forts with modern guns
and an immense mortar battery.
Diamond Hill, which overlooks the
whole harbor, is tunnelled through and
through like another Gibraltar" says
the Honolulu visitor, land it can be
regarded as absolutely impregnable.
1 notice attempts in New Zealand to
get up a Japanese scare. We have the
Japanese as servants in Hawaii-about
10000 of them. Surprising a Japanese
fleet anchored outside our harbor, the
first thing we would do would be 10
! put the servants under supervision
while. as for the fleet, with our fortif-
cations, we would not have the least
fear. New Zealand, with it's insular
position, is practically safe, for the
reason that it is difficult to bring
enough drilled soldiery with fleet to
accomplish anything. They can't
touch you here, with your men of fine
physique. and nearly every man a gun
ner"
why is America so concerned about
the Pacifc?"
We'll, it's not a case of more coun-
try, for we could not get it unless
volcano sent bit more up for us"
continued Mr.. Westervelt I'VE are
in Hawaii because there the United
States is at the crossroads of the Pa
cific. All the main steam lines touch
there, and when the Panama Canal is
opened, its Importance will become
more obvious to the world at large
There WIS strong party against an
nexation once, but the feeling is gen.
eral now in a-{merica that, while we
don't want more country than is
bounded by the two oceans, we don't
want foreign Power to settle down
on an island so close to our doors"
Mr.. Westervelt was asked If there
is any prospect of the coastwise ship
ping regulations being suspended in
regard to Hawaii so that this serious
bar to New Zealand shipping trade
with that group and with the United
States could be removed. He answer
ed that the feeling against the regu-
lations is very strong in Honolulu
Public meetings have been held in
protest, and petitions signed by most
influential residents have gone to the
United States Congress, praying for
their removal 1.-THE question has Sc
cured consideration in Congress-" con-
tinued Mr.. Westervelt, "and we have
been able to impress some of the Con-
gressmen personally with the unfair
ness and inconvenience of the present
position. Parties of legislators have
been invited annually to Honolulu, and
many of them have paid return visits.
Sometimes it has happened that the
American steamer has been too full,
and they have had to wait for the
next, although there were British or
Japanese liners sailing to the same
port, but not allowed to carry passen-
gers to or from Hawaii"
Mr. and Mrs. Westervelt left Well
ington today for Auckland, whence
they go to Australia for a MONTH
Auckland Star.
Visit to Christchurch.
Christchurch Press, April 90: The
Rev. W. D. Westervelt, well known
authority upon the folk lore of the
Pacific, is at present on a visit to New
Zealand. He is accompanied by his
wife and son, and by DR.. ]. M. Whit
ney and his wife, also of Honolulu.
Mr. Westervelt is the President Of
the Hawaiian Historical Society, and
is known here as the author Of a
book on the various legends of Maui,
the demi-god of Polynesia. The Ma
orr legends, he says, notably those OF
the fishing up of the islands and the
pOooino ~ fha o,,n ara Identical rroo