Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-26
Tour of Duty in
Hawaii May be
Three Years Only

| Especial star Bulletin CoTreSpofldt9cel
FORT SKATER, Sept. rs. The
question that is agitating the End In
fantry today is one in which all other
organizations OF the army on Oahu
are greatly interested That ques-
ton is whether the tour OF duty in
these islands for officers is to be
three years or four. There are indi-
cations that both views are held by
the authorities in Washington, If such
: thing were possible, since the past
week has brought to Fort Shafter two
decisions or announcements from that
source that may be interpreted in
Numerically opposite ways. Captain
Benz. H. watkins OF the End Infan.
try, desiring to continue his tour o.
duty for an additional period of for.
eign service, made application some
weeks ago through the regular chan
nels OF communication stating his de-
sire TO remain on Oahu for another
tour Of four years upon completion OF
his present four.year term which lat.
ter will expire in June of 1915. Dur
ing the weeR Just passed Captain
Watkins application for the favor
was returned with the official action
Of the secretary of war endorsed
thereon by the adjutant general and
that endorsement read that the tour
OF Captain Watkins was extended un.
! I'll June, 1916, or in other words that
his application for an additional four
years was granted only in part.
This action was in accord with the
previously announced plan Of the de-
partment and created no comment
other than that it was the first case
Of an officer applying for additional
service in these islands. Captain
Watkins could also read by implica-
ton that an application for the re-
manning three years OF his desired
extension might receive favorable
consideration il renewed near the end
Of the years extension granted. But
in the same mail with the communi-
cation above referred to there was
returned to Lieutenant Ira Longaneck.
er, also of the End, Infantry, an appli.
cation by that officer for, similar in
diligence and this latter request, was
approved for an extension of one
year, or until, the summer Of 1915.
This date will bring Lieutenant Long.
anecker's tour up to total of four
years only even when the additional
year that has been granted him is
added on to the length Of time that
he has served here and thue9is taken
to mean that there is strong posi-.
bflity that the department Intends to
figure the regular tour at three years
and the extraordinary tours as at four.
The matter is one of great import.
ance and the action on the applica-
ton of Captain E. H. Cooke Of this
regiment who also deemed 1t desir.
able to serve longer In Oahu, viii be
be awaited with interest by all con.
cerned. Captain Cookies application
was made at date some weeks sub.
seuuent to - ones referred to above
and It will not in all probability be
returned to the writer for anofher
fortnight. 1t was well known through.
out army circles here in the islands
that the war department has had the
matter Of shortening the TOUR ins Ha-
wall by year under consideration
and it would seem that It is posi-.
BILE that the decision was arrived at
to so do at about the time that Lieu
tenant Longanecker's application
reached the authorities! In any event
4 definite decision in. the premises
will be of moment and the whole mat
ter when considered In connection
with the strong rumor that over 40
officers now part of the Hawaiian
garrison are shortly to be returned
to the mainland for duty seems OF
import. If. in addition to shortening
the tour for officers to three years,
the department should decide to aban'
don the colonial plan for the req.
ments here stationed then the mill
tary service conditions in this part
Of the world would take on an at,
traction that does not at present %.
tain. Delightful as is the climate and
agreeable as other conditions may be
here in Oahu the enlisted men In par,
ticular would view with high favor
return to former conditions Of for.
eign service, as the tour in Hawaii
is at present officially regarded.
u - IL IL