Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-09
HARDOR BOARD IS
AGAIN CALLED ON
GERMAN SHIP MOVE
Second keIekollo Resolution
May Bring Out Some State.
ment on Reasons for Keep.
ing Vessels al Piers; Talk
OF Legislature Asking Navy
Department to Allow Steam.
erS al Pear Harbor


request Washington 90 take action for
the removal Of the refugee German
ships from Honolulu hal Dor is re.
port around the capitol developing
from the steps taken In tho house by
the two Kelekolio resolutions
This morning the house received a
report on the first res AlLtion of in.
quiry. the report throwing no Light on
the reasons why the harbor board has
not moved the vessels.
The second resolution, adopted Ly
the house yesterday, has been sent
by the committee to the har6or board
and at 10 this morning Chairman
Forbes called a special meeting Of
the board for 1870 this afternoon.
At 1:45 the meeting had not begun
and II was said that II would be con-
ference between the board and the
house investigating committee.
Indications before the meeting were
that the discussion this afternoon may
develop some Of the now unknown rea-
sons for the harbor boards changing
its decision to send the vessels out
side the harbor. .
The second resolution in effect lie,
mands a statement of tho reasons and
submission TO the house committee
Of correspondence relating to the
boards policy
In case the harbor board does not
feel able TO disclose its reasons, there
is talk that the legislature will take
the matter up with Washington. In
fact, one proposal Is that the legisla.
CE hn' IL a. A. -
low the vessels TO be sent to Pearl
HRrbor.
II is well known that the harhor
board would like the vessels sent
there but that up to the present the
navy department has not consented
TO the step, probably for strategic
reasons. - ..... 49,. .i
Strong Reasons Believed to Exist
That the harbor commissioners
have strong reasons for their policy of
allowing the Pommern and the Setos
to remain at their wharves-under
100000 bonds-is now generally be-
lieved. ..... ..
II Is also learned that the board has
carried out a policy of searching the
harbor and wharyes to safeguard
far as can be ascertained, the CON-
niss'oners do not fear that In case of
war the big refugee vessels will be
blown up at their berths.
One feature which developed today
was that the vessels agents, Hack.
field e Company, in a letter to the
governor-now q part OF the harbor
boards records secuted the idea OF
any danger from explosives and offer.
cd to allow any duly authorized and
responsible territorial official or agent
20 make such investigations aboard
the vessels as might prove this to be
a fact.
II is believed the board will act on
this offer.
House Proceeds With Resolutions
While members Of the harbor board
are working out serious questions Of
policy relating TO the proposed moving
OF the ships, legislators are carrying
out series Of steps aimed at calling
forth public statements on the harbor
boards plans and reasons for keeping
the German ships lying alongside ter
ritorial wharveS. o..
Representative Kelekolio's first reso-
luton of inquiry, introduced Febru-
airy &c, was reported on this morning
by the house military committee. This
resolution requested the harbOr board
to move the ships from the harbor.
Kelekolio's second resolution, intro
duced yesterday, demanded to know
why the vessels had not been removed
That is now in the hands of the mill
tary committee and was to 20 before
the harbor board at a special meeting
at 1880 today.
The first resolution has occasioned |
much comment, and ii was said around |
the Capitol that the military commit |
tee had been tipped off, mat the sub |
ject ought not to be discussed for |
diplomatic reasons.
Unofficially, the Star Bulletin was
told this morning by a member of the |
committee that inquiries Of various |
federal and territorial officials brought |
out, in substance, the following an
swerS:
please keep your hands out; don't
reddle.-GoVernor Ptnkhan.
I'VE don't want to give HoT legal =,
opinion on this question at III slime"
Attorney generals office.
This 10 delicate matter. Capt.
George r. Clark, U. S. N.
I'VE are not ready 10 act yet Don't