The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-03-16

anchored far enough away from the
waterfront TO obviate any danger TO
life or property along the waterfront.
Hatch Scores Board !
The community, meantime, is thor
oughly aroused over the matter and ex-
press,ohs of opinion far from compli-
mentary 70 the harbor board and part.
eulafly the attorney generals office and
Governor Pinkham, are being freely ex-
pressed. Supervisor +. M. Hatch Is
particularly outspoken and yesterday
branded tine proposal of the territorial
authorities TO put the German ships
under bond TO keep the peace as moth.
ing less than an attempt to compound
felony. He said In a statement 10
The Advertiser:
The federal government not having
assumed control of affairs here, the
ordinary local officials remain charged
with the duties and responsibilities an.
pertaining to their several Offices. And
in view of this fact Il is quite proper
for the community TO stand behind
them with loyal support.
"Our wharves have been constructed
at our own cost for the development
Of commerce., The space is limited and
congestion at the wharves Is frequent.
For the second time this season the
nGreat Northern,p our finest paAsen
ger ship calling here, has been sent to
a remote part of the harbor, against
the indignant remonstrance of her mas.
ter, (who from his German name ought
TO have at least the average consider.
ton for the German masters and crews
who do not dare to 90 TO seal while
one of the finest berths in our harbof
is occupied by the "Pommern,o Ger.
man refugee. As long as she remained
in the class Of vessels, for the accom-.
mediation Of which the fine wharf at
which she lies was constructed, no
word of protest was uttered, notwith.
standing the public Inconvenience. Now
that the Pommern" is merely hulk
and not a possible instrumentality Of
commerce, this by the action Of her
own people, is not entitled longer
TO incumber our finest slip. The prepa-
ration for Immediate sinking must be
noted.
"The highest hospitality is that
which speeds the parting guest: tow her
outside, so that should her master de-
sire to put her ont of the way, he can
do good job. No more Konas need
be expected until next winter. The
outer roadstead Is a perfectly safe an.
chorage in trade-wind weather.
cit seems to an onlooker, If all the
refugee ships, which have felt the un-
kind blows Of their natural guardians.
should be anchored not far from the
entrance to Pearl Harbor, il would be
assisting Washington in disposing Of
them, as the situation warrants. The
answer of Secretary Daniels that Pearl
Harbor is closed port, perhaps is all
bosh. Who closed itf Possibly Con
gress has done this. 1t would be in.
teresting to have a reference to the
statute If il exists. Short of an act
of congress, the harbor can not be
closed, save in time Of war. If Wash
ington deems the outer anchorage i'm
there is the West Loeb.
She will invite the ships in. This Is
three miles by water from the naval
A chain 900 feet long
can close West Loeb. Five thousand
troops are available TO watch the ships.
GAS to the unspeakable bond, what
gratitude we owe to Messrs. H. Hack
field & Co., Ltd, for not signing i'll
A law officer of the government drafts
a bond to compound a felony; to pro-
vide in advance a maximum money pen
afty to cover liability for damage in
case certain over,heated aliens conclude,
to commit the contemplated felonies
(including murder1. I say contemplated
felonies; that is, those specified in the
condition Of the bondl! 1t might DE
appropriate for some grand jury to give
its views on this proceeding. = * =. +.