Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-12-31

The year of 1912 marks an epoch
for the army on Oahu, for carefully
lsfd plans of the Geaerai STAFF for the
defense of the island were carried out
ir part, while a fair start was made
on vast scheme of Notifications and
defenses which Will 1T Oahu to bear
the name Gibraltar of the Pacific"
that has been attached to it in re-
cent months. When the last battery
is In place, and the last troops have
Tended, Oahu will be a tight little is
land that nothing short of a feet, COW
ering the landing of division, could
subjugate.
The year just closing saw the com
plefion OF the permanent post at Fort
Ruger, including commodious bar
racks for the enlisted men and pleas
ant quarters for the officers, all of re-
inforced concrete construction. This
work was finished about mid-::a;ar, and
q campaign OF land clearing, tree
planting, and general landscape inn
proYement has transformed the ap
pearance OF the post that leis in the
shaWod of Diamond Head.
Fort De Russy has been but little
changed during the year, the principal
event being the completion or the 3
inch battery, and the mounting of y
gins. The emplacements for the IA
irch battery were competed, but the
lie guns themselves have not arrived.
improvements at Fort Shafter IN
Glide the great enlargement OF the
hospital there, and the chainngg of its
Status from base hospital tosa de-
pertinent hospital. The cost of the
new wings. containing three additional
wards. Is about 100000. the contract
held by q local firm and the work be-
irg we'll towards completion.
At Fort Kamehameha. adjacent to
pearl Harbor. the 12-inch gun battery
has been competed. ana the pits ZOE
fhe mortar battery constructed. Nor
fars and carriages are now on their
way here from an easten arsenal
schofeld All-Important.
The scene for the army's most I'M
portanf work during 1872 was laid at
Schofeld Barracks, where construc-
zion work and improvements that az
greeate more than q million dollars
have already been started. Until
few months ago it was generally be-
lieved that the main strength OF the
mobile army to be ultimately station
81 on Oahu would be CHARTERED at
i ,eilehua. and that Schofeld, already
the Iartest post in the United States
army. would consist of eight regl-
ments and auxiliary troops, forging
ahead of any post in continental Unit
"a states, the Philippines, and Pa
mama Ia general importance, beyond
All comparison. Within the past
month. however, 1t has become
known that a change In the original
Mans of the general staff is contem-
Mated. and that Schofield will prob
ably be kept at not more than It's
present strength Of three and . half
regiments.
Early In the. year the constructing
onarfermaster commenced work on
the permanent cavalry post, for one
regiment, and his is considerably
more than half completed to date.
The post consists Of thirty-two sets
Of officers quarters, costing $5,l00
each: three squadron barracks, SsV.-
600 each; and twelve stables, $S,OOV
each.
More Money Needed.
The matter of expediting the cree
tion of the Cavalry Post has been
made the subject of special cores
n0ndence between Secretary Stmson
and the Speaker of the House. 1t is
desired to have the money necessary
made available at the earliest posi-
HE moment, and il is requested that
the x472,750 necessary be included IN
an urgent deficiency bill.
In the sundry civil act approved
March 4, 1909, congress appropriated
100000 for commencing construction
of a cavalry post in the Hawaiian
Islands. and in subsequent act APP
proved June %, 1910, authority was
given to enter into contract for not
exceeding $400, 600 additional to car
try on this s ork, but funds under the
latter act haze not as yet been appro-
priated.
All of the, $1,000 originally appro-
nriated has been expended in the pur-
chase of material, and in order that
the actual construction work might
nroeeed without interruption, con-
tract was On ared into at the close OF
last fiscal wear with the Hawaiian
Dreaging Go for continuing this work
tor IN amount not to exceed 100000,
payable when funds are appropriat-
ed by congress. . a -.
Included n the regular estimates
for the fiscal year 1914 is an item OF
ego 750 fcr completing this cavalry
post as ofiginalyI contemplated. but
nvginp. ia tie necessity for early ac-
ton in this matter it is recommend
ed that t..is ropriation be inciud-