Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-06
fHE SOLDIERS TREATMENT

p May -, 1919.
Editor Honolulu Star.BuIletln.
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 10 boarded a street
car en- route TO kapioIani 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
he allowed to partake OF the repast
laid for these lonored guests, nor did
] have any desire to, but did think
10 stand in some remote and seclud-
ed corner and Isten to the words OF
those distinguished visitors and to
the always beautiful Hawaiian music
that was To be rendered. II was sim.
ply desire To go somewhere. to be
some 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 all types
OF civilians, to be picked" cut of this
thrcng and told that could not enter
there because had no invitation. /
stepped back little way and watch.
ed the multitude walk by the officer.
soon inquired OF this same indiyid.
ual II he was sure that all these 9TH
er people had invitations, he having
sccosted no enc but me. He then
very frankly and, | will say, very pc.
iitely informed me that I 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 OF IT, Had | oonned civili-
an suit, or even part OF one, an old
pair of trousers. a 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 Of the So
called city hoodlums dressed as
above, and in one instance a civilian
maudlin drunk, singing or rather
making a 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 or
place Of amusement has refused ad-
mission to his resort to those in uni
form, but to think that the highest
city official in an American city has
SO little tact, SO little Americanism
imbued In 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
IL being a misdemeanor In many OF
our united states to discriminate
against the uniform OF Uncle Sam, but
is there court that will punish the
guilty one 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 Ii was the most
asrnlne thing he had ever heard OF
: say. bravo for SOU, Mr., Citizen. You
are truly an American. an honor not
enjoyed by some OF your higher ups.
OF those in uniform last night there
was approximately so, including sol
diers, sailors and marines. And not
IN one instance did one appear to
have been drinking or was loud OF
boisterous until pushed around rude
ly by a bevy OF uniformed mounted
individuals who are termed police
men, one OF whom ! was informed
told the soldiers that they we're not
fit TO associate with civilians. This
beast should be Immediately removed
from his place OF trust In the city de
nartment to which he now belongs
and severely dealt with, that he may
be taught the error OF his ways.
After being thus treated. few oil
the younger soldiers did take offense
and resented such abuse But tell
me. who of their age, being true
Americans. and thus maltreated
would not show some resentment:
one young man in uniform. a good
clean, bright and manly looking fel
low. of whom any mother would be
proud to call her son, remarked that
he could at least go to saloon
where he would be welcome. Nice
thought, isn't it? Leaves a nice
pleasant taste in our free American
mouths. doesn't its
/ wonder what the congressman
who have just come from Gods coun
try, and many of whom have done
much for the military during theiI
wears OF service in Washington, think
of the incident of last night. / won