The Washington herald., 1915-12-10
~ r.. u. JOHNS.

The Hawaiian Islands are setting a
pacc IA military preparedness which the
United States could well follow. accord
Ing to reports that have reached the war
Department. The Hawaiian senate haN-
ing rejected compulsory military training
on account OF the Iapanese ISSUE. over
20 p.r cent of the citizens OF the country
have volunteered to serve in the organ
iyed militia of the islands. If there was
such movement in the United states
to strengthen the National Guard the
organized militia would soon consist OF
Spa O01 or t.uppO citizen soldiers.
Volunteers for the militia in Hawaii
are offering themselves in such great
numbers that the War Department has
not sufficient equipment to arm those
who are willing to go into the guard.
But this does not keep them from voiun-
teering, and hundreds of them are be-
ing drilled with poles. A brigade is now
IN the process Of organization. One regi-
ment has been formed on the island OF
Oahu, one on Hawaii and third on
Maui Aside from these three regi-
ments of infantry. troop of cavalry.
company of engineers and a machine
gun Company have been recruited.
Most of the officers are composed OF
the superintendents and foremen OF the
sugar factories. The enlisted men come
from the employees of the factories, and
by- this arrangement all the men that
can qualify physically are enlisted in sep
arate organizations. Adjt Gen. samuel
7 Johnson. superintendent OF one of the
factories. has been appointed commander
of the Hawaiian militia, with the rank
of briaadier general. The work OF organ
wing and instructing the militia has been
Jone bv First Lieut. william c. White
nor infantry. and he has rendered re-
norts to the War Department which ere
ale a very favorable impression as to
the spirit and patriotism OF the people
OF the islands.
Tho task of handling the new organiza-
tions has become too great for l.iuet
Wbitener and the department has de-
cided to detail an additional inspector
Instructor for Hawaii. II is urged that
there should be at least three officers
assigned to the islands and this may
he done IL Congress makes sufficient IN
crease in the number OF extra officers.
The refusal of the Secretary of Navy
Yesterday to extend the Christmas vaca-
tion period of the midshipmen at An
ma polls until December y. VIII seriously
interfere with a social affair which was
arranged in Washington for that date.
A committee OF young ladfss who were
arranging the affair called upon the Sec
retary but ne was dudIndut " tueh dp-
peal. The Secretary said that the mid
shipmen could not be spared from the
Academy longer than three days which is
the extent Of their Christmas vacation
this year II begins on December "a and
extends to December %.
Rear Admiral Thomas b. Howard.
president Of the Naval Retiring Board
at the washington Navy Yard, discussed
i with Secretary Daniels yesterday after
noon the proposed naval personnel legis-
lation. Although Admiral Howard il not
a member Of the personnel board his
opinion on personnel matters is held in
such high regard by the. Secretary that
II is stated that he was called in to dis
cuss the general principles OF the De-
partment's bill.
Opposition will develop In Congress
to the adoption OF a policy by which
all Of the battleships are to be built
In government yards. Although 1t
may be admitted that Secretary Dam
iels Is Justified in awarding 80 and ~
to the New York and Mare Island
Navy Yards. there Is stropE senti-
msnt in nsCongress against turning all
OF this work to the government yards.
In former Congresses the fight be-
tween. the advocates, OF governnep1
yards and private yards took the form
! q an ansadnsnt = the appreprisstsP