The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-08-31
Delegate, Returning FromNWash-
ington, Threatens An Inves-
tigation BY Congress
DIRECTS HIS GAZE AT
SOLID IVORY CHAMBER
Declares He Is Going To Find Out
Who Il Was That Kept Ha-
Waiian Militia Out Of War

That highly interesting conundrum
about "Who put the skids under the
National Guardp' is still in order
The latest person to tackle the puzzle
is Delegate to Congress Kuhio, who
returned yesterday from Washington
and who announces that he is out for an
answer, even If it takes congress
ional investigating committee to do it,
The Delegate names no names, but
he hints most awfully strong, directing
his gaze, metaphorically speaking, in
the due direction of the Solid Ivory
Chamber, out of which emanated the
recent cordial letter of praise to DR.
y. Sehurmann, the well known local
writer on war subjects.
1t was the Governor who innOcently
forwarded to Washington request
that Anyone suggesting using tn ermy
transports as molasses carriers should
be sat on, because any army transports
Kicking around could be used very nice
~ to transport Filipino laborers to
Hawaii, where there was constant
demand, due to the activities of the
various county sheriffs.
That Spilled the Beans
1t was this suggestion that spilled
the beans, that labor is so short here
that transports should be used to aug
ment tine supply, that upset the chances
for active service for the guard. an
things are in such desperate condi.
ton in Hawaii, we cannot think ii
using the Hawaiian militia for any
thing except raising sugar., decided
z the war department, and the official
correspondence which has reuche !
Hawaii states exactly that in effect.
The innocent little suggestion about
Filipinos and transports hit Washing
ton at the crucial moment
"While the militia matter was pend
ingr says Kuhio, SAN effort was
made TO have more Flipinos brought
in on government transports. This
matter went directly over my head
but / am glad to say that Secretary OF
War Baker showed good judgement
when he fatty denied the request"
Wants the Exact Facts .-
The Delegate does not intend to al
low the status quo to stand. He says:
"The question of the Hawaiian mill
tia, which has so stirred the people
here, has been anything but pleas
ant one for me to attempt to solve
II was blow 10 me to be advised b,
the war department that our reorgan
lied militia was not to be called to the
Colors To my way of thinking, il ii
anything but complimentary to us Ha
Raiians to have the federal government;
deny MS the right to fight for our coun,
try when our country is at war.
Knhio Held the sack
81 notice that while those here In
authority made no effort to keep me
advised as to the situation and wha,
Recommendations had been made direct
70 the war department, when the set
back came ! was permitted to assume
a good share of the responsibility
3 This Is not n new condition Of affairs
but repetitions of it do not help tn,
Territory. If | am to be blamed fol
failures, | firmly believe that tn,
courtesy should be extended to my posi-
ton at least of advising me of all the
! facts in matters pending before tn,
federal departments and congress 81
that l will not have to work in the
dark. -, E.. ~
tWhile the militia matter was pend
ing an effort was made to have more
Filipinos brought in on government
transports. This matter went directly
over my head, but l am glad TO say
that Secretary of War Baker showed
good Judgement when he fatty denied
the request. " IT.
''We'n Plow; You Fight" T."
e Economic conditions in the Terri
tory are the sole reasons given for th'
failure to permit us Hawaiians at THU
time TO join the ColOrs. My under
standing of the matter was that if thu
militia were reduced to three Thousand
men, these men could be spared anC
that not the slightest loss would com
10 crop production. 1t seems to m,
that whoever had the ear of the wa
department, whether individuals or or
ganizations, played the economic AM
the 'let us pillow so that we will no
have to fight roe with great success
HI am determined to get the CON
plete record in the Hawaiian militii
fiaseO. ! am waiting until the next SEES
sion 0f the house when / will demand
. congressional inquiry.
People Should Know g"
1.-THE people of Hawaii should know
and they will know just what was sait
aa1 who said it to Influence the wa
department against the calling out o
o,l puarusmeg,, u Is my patriotic dut,
10 delay at this time Ia this matter
for 7 know that the war department
has its hands full in creating, equip
PING ahd drilling IFS first army. a mat
ia- that II NOW unaer way. BY white
this first army will be in the training
camps aud 1t will then be proper I,
find the real reason for the placing Q
.he .Hawoiian militiamen in the stay
at-home class, for the officers VIII
haNe ~ ma'tnr ~ hPnd viii be abl
10 testify without interfering will
Their important .dutics.ib 4,.