Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-06
THE SOLDIERS TREATMENT
Fort shafter, Fl. T..

IOFt oHdlleTt n. j.,
Mag ), 1915. |
Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Sir: In your little city on Tuesday
evening there occurred an incident
which IL the facts as stated be true
should make the guilty enc or ones
cover with shame.
At about 7:I5 ! boarded a street
car en- route to KapIolani park, where
the mayor and people OF Honolulu
were entertaining the congressional
party from the United States. Now il
did not even occur to me that ! would
be allowed TO partake OF the repast
laid for these honored guests, nor did
] have any desire 10. but ] did think
TO stand in some remote and seclud-
ed corner and listen TO the words OF
those distinguished visitors and TO
the always beautiful Hawaiian music
that was to be rendered. II was sim.
ply n desire to go somewhere. To be
seme place where the long, lonely
evening could be pleasantly passed.
Imagine my surprise and embar-
rassment when upon attempting to
enter one OF the walks OF truly
public park. surrounded by al types
Of civilians, to be picked" out of this
thrCng and told that ] could not enter
there because I had no invitation
stepped back q little way and watch
ed the multitude walk by the officer.
! soon inquired OF this same indiVid.
ual II he was sure that all these 9TH
or people had invitations, he having
accosted no che but me. He then
very frankly and. ] will say, very po-
itely informed me that ! could not
enter wearing my uniform, as the
mayor had given the police depart.
ment orders that no soldier or Sailor
be admitted to this section of this
public park.
Think CT It. Had ! oonned a ciyili-
an suit, or even part of one. an old
pair of trousers shirt that had new
er been ON speaking terms with a
laundry. with no collar. tie or hat, and
had been drunk; yes even thus, then
/ wouiu have had the mayors invita-
ton. Witnessed many sof the so
called city hoodlums DRESSED as.
above, and In one instance ascfvilian
maudlin I drunk. singing or rather
making q loud noise, who attracted
the attention of all passersby. They
and he had the required invitation,
We have heard Of isolated instances
in the States where proprietor OF a
place Oft amusement has refused adj.
mission to his resort to those In uni
fern, bit to think that the highest
city official In an American city has
so little tact, so little Americanism
irnbued n his soul, and who must see
the folly OF his actions. giving an or
der such as was given yesterday
These isolated cases have been
) brought before courts and punished,
1t being3a misdemeanor in many Of
our united states TO discriminate
against the uniform OF Uncle Sam. but
is there a court that will punish the
guilty enc Of yesterdays disgrace?
Many citizens stood by and wit
messed the humiliation Of the soldiers
and sailors as they were In turn re-
fused admission. and many expressed
themselves. in no uncertain terms,
freely In sympathy with those dis
eliminated against One very digni-
fed and prominent looking old gen.
tleman remarked that Il was the most
asinine thing he had ever heard OF.
! say, bravo fer you. Mr. Citizen. You
are truly an American, an honor not
J enjoyed by some Of your higher UPS
or those la uniform last night there
was approximately SO, including sol
diers. sailors and marines. And not
ain enc instance did one appear to
have been drinking or was loud or
boisterous until pushed around rude.
" by a beyy of uniformed mounted
individuals who are termed police
men. one of whom / was informed
told the soldiers that they were not
III TO associate with civilians This
beast should be Immediately removed
from his place OF trust in the city de-
partment 10 which he now belongs
and severely dealt with. that he may
be taught the error OF his ways.
After being thus treated. few Of
the younger soldiers did take offense
and resontel such abuse. But tell
me, who Of their age, being true
Americans. and thus maltreated.
would net Shcw some resentment
one young man in uniform. good,
clean, bright and manly looking fel.
low. OF whom any mother would be
proud to call her son, remarked that
ne could at least 60 to saloon,
where he would be welcome Nice
thought, isn't ii? Leaves nice,
pleasant taste in our free American
mouths. doesn't II?
wonder what the congressman
who have just come from Gods coun.
try. and many of whom have done
much for the military during their
years OF service in Washington, think
OF the incident Of last night. | won.