Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-12


In making public the news that the
United States has decided to COM
mandeer the two big liners, Mr.. Ten
ney said:
The message plainly indicates that
the Maui will be taken over by the
government on her arrival at San
Francisco from Honolulu, and the Mat
sonia when she completes her next
round voyage.
Schedules and Freight Upset
With our two largest boats In the
service Of the United States, our
schedules will naturally be very much
disrupted. With our present tonnage
We have all We can do to take care
of San Francisco Honolulu general
cargo and Honolufu-San Francisco SUI
gar.
Unless the government can give US
two Of the ~ex-GermanS freighteFs such
as the Pommern and o. ]. d. Alters,
we will be unable to fulfil our sugar
carrying contracts. These two freight
ers can carry as much cargo and pos
sibly more than the Maui and Matso-
mia, but whether we can get them is
only surmise."
Commenting on the opposition Of
Hilo to the announcement that the Ho-
nolulu-Hilo service would be discon-
ttnued through the summer, due to
the cessation of tourist business On
account Of war conditions, Mr.. Ten
ney said that the needs of the United
States are probably considered para
mount to those of the territory of Ha-
waii. Today's cablegram means that
after this month both the Maui and
Matsonfa will be taken off the island
run entirely, so that Hilo will fare no
better than Honolulu so far as pas
senger and freight business is con.
cerned. Two boats less will mean
lever mails to and from the islands.
The local Matson agency has no
idea whether the two Matson liners
will be taken off the Pacific run, or
what use will be made of them by the
government. Both the Maui and Mat
sonia are equipped for conversion into
auxiliary naval cruisers under the
Act of Congress Of 1893, and have
bases for four 6-inch guns each.
The MatSonia was built in 1913, but
the Maui has only been running for
two months. She came to this port
on her maiden voyage April 13, from
San Francisco. Both liners are of
the same size and their cargo capacity
is 10000 tons each. The Matsonia
can carry 251 cabin passengers and
IS steerage, while the Maui Is licens-
ed to carry 252 cabin and s. steerage
passengers.
Officers are Enrolled
Most of the salon officers of both
liners have been enrolled in the naval
reserve since the declaration Of war
with Germany, as have the officers Of
the Hill liner Great Northern, news
of the communicating of which may
be received any day.
On account of their big cargo space
both steamers, it is expected, will be
used to transport supplies or NUM-
tions. Speculation as to where they
will be sent is rife One theory is
that in view of the American mission
to Russia they may be placed in trans
pacific trade, plying between Vladi
vostok and San Francfsco.
If the coastwise laws are suspended.
DIS LAS DSSu SuSSSSIcu III SOuS1coo,
the Pacific Mail. Togo Kisen Kaisha
and other lines could then carry car.
goes between San Francisco and this
port but it is not considered likely,
as all those lines now have all the
Orient-mainland business they can
handle and more, at rates far more
profitable than the s425 a ton now
charged by the Matson line for gen
eral cargo between San Francisco and
here.
May Transport Troops
Manager John H. Drew OF Castle &
Cookies shipping department said
this morning he believes the two
steamers Will De used as troop ships
and not for carrying war supplies.
The Maui and Matsonia are Ideally
adapted for troop ships" he said.
They can carry 300 or 400 soldiers.
and their cargo space can be used for
trans porting complete equipment for
the troops; Both liners are also
adapted for quick loading and dis,
charging Of cargoes."
Capt. Peter johnson, commander of
the Maui, said this morning he has
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