Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-16
HAWAII may
RECRUIT AIN
ARMY BRANCH
Organization of Battalion for
Regular Army Now Being
Considered
SIMILAR TO PORTO
RICAN INFANTRY
Give. HaWaiians the Chance to
Help Defend Hawaii is
Sentiment

The most important military move
relative to Hawaii since the announce.
ment Of the large permanent garTi
Son contemplated in the report OF the
general staff on the reorganization Of
the land forces of the United States,
some two years ago, may be expected
In the near future. This Is that Ha-
Waiians take an active part. in the de.
Tense OF their native land, not as a
part OF the organized militia, but as
ah integral part of the United States
army, In an organization similar to
the Porto Rican regiment OF infantry,
and the Philippine scouts. The re-
cruiting OF Hawaiian troops, for SER
! vice within the territory only, is COM
ing up for serious consideration
among the army higher ups, and it
is not unlikely that Congress will be
asked to pass an act for the creation
of such an organization.
The plan which is being consider
ed at department headquarters calls
Tor battalion of Hawaiian infantry,
TO be stationed either at one of the
existing army posts, or at some new
post on eastern or windward Oahu.
The men will enlist for the regular
period, and win receive the same pay.
allowances, ETC., that the other regu-I
lar troops serving on Oahu receive
The battalion, according to the tenta-i
live plan, viii be commanded by a.
line captain Of the regular establish
ment, with temporary rank Of major.
the same plan in force in the Philip
Eine scouts The company officers
will be selected from local material,
and VIII be permanently attached to-
the battalion.
There Is some doubt as to whether
fllll battalion strength could BE Sc.
cured using only pune Hnwaiians and
there Is chance that one or two,
companies may be recruited from
other nationaiities. The quick re-
sponse made BY the Chinese-A Ameri-
cans Of Honolulu, when given al
chance 10 enlist In the national guard,
has led to the suggestion that com.
pany Of natiye-bofn Chinese might be,
recruited for regular service here.
up TO the present time this plan
for a Hawaiian organisation similar
to the Porto Rican regiment of infan-
lIy dL1l Tl1ilpIluD ScOubSJ mas hot
been seriously considered" said Mai.
A. s. conklin, chief Of staff. "The de-,
partment has given its efforts only to
the establishment Of a full regiment
of national guard, and the efficiency
Of that regiment. A battalion of Ha-
waiian troops. however, might prove
a valuable addition to the defenses OF
Oahu, II such an organization could
be recruited. or course 1t would take
an act OF Congress to create II, but
that should not be out of the ques-
tiun."
That the regular army is bent on
increasing the efficiency Of the Ma.
tional Guard Of Hawaii, aId making
Il an important part of oahu's defen.
give scheme. is made even more ap.
parent by another scheme that is be. |
lug considered at department head.
quarters. This Is TO detail sergeant.
instructors of the regular army for
every company of the national guard. |
This would require IL sergeants in !
addition to Sergeant Roberts, now on
militia duty II Is probable that one
sergeant could look after the interests
OF the two companies on Maui, how.
ever, which would bring the detail !
down to 10. This matter is being in. !