The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-12-28
THE ADVERTISERS SEMl-wEEKLY
Protection, For Soldiers

TN his annual report, the secretary OF war con
i graduates the nation on the way in which thu
average community has risen to the occasion and
has Cleaned up" the vice resorts from the neigh
borhoods of the various training camps and mill
tary establishments. Honolulu has no reason te
accept any of the congratulations of Secretary
Baker. This community is more prolific OF vice
TODAY than at any time in it's history, with the
police blind and the general community wholly
indifferent. Says the secretary: ~
This military service to the country, nterruptng
ms il does the careers and activities of many of our
men, must be made asset to them and to the NATION
by leaving them, when " Is over, not merely Win
strengthened and more Vtre bodies as result OF s
physical training but with serene aad eontented
minds, and with that elevation which comes from the
Of having lived full lite and been IN touch with
opportunities for the wholesome and invigorang use
OF all Of powers both about his serious business
and his moments of relaxation .a.. ....
The effect Of these activities upon the country AZ
large has, believe, been most fortunate BY virtue of
the powers conferred by congress in Sections IL and
10 OF the act temporarily to increase the military es
Establishment zones have been established around the
training camps and through the cooperation Of the de-
partmsnt Of justice vice and the opportunity for IN
temperance which has sometimes been associated with
the idea of a military camp have been reduced to
minimum; but frankly count most upon the construc;
tive agencies CThe Y. NJ. G. A, Y. VIC A. and.
Knights of Columbus) which have been employed. 49,.
The significant thing about true civilization Is its
spontaneous upward tendency and the young American
instinctvey prefers sound and healthy occupations
and recreations, If the opportunity to enjoy them be
offered.
pitalty Of the civilian communities about camps
has roeiproeated by young soldiers and happy
relations have been created which have gwen the
people of the country fresh occasions for admiration
of their Army and have given soldiers inspira-
fight in the defense of institutions which have
surrounded the soldiers career with many opportu
mites and $ many evidences of interest
The real effect Of this win be spirit in the Ameri.
can soldier when he is foreign SOIL set of habits
and associations group of ideals brought with him
from home, which will be at spur to his efforts
and a consolation for his hardshps.
h. Ia.la Nf t,lanS Of his
right sort have gone long way towards helping
make congenial the life of the soldier in Oahu but
unfortunately while the front door of the city has
been thrown open, nothing has been done at al
about shutting the back door AS consequence
boys who have joined the colors from purely pa
trotic motives and have come to Honolulu to trair
are being tempted openly, shamelessly and will
impunity. The result is that many Of them will
have to be discharged from the service dishonored
broken in health and carrying back with them t.
their mainland homes the seed of disease that may
shorten their lives and prevent their future useful
ness as citizens. 1t is not nice to have to say this
of your own community, but so long as it is tru,
it is better to say it than shut your eyes to VIVA
is going on in order to be able to shut your moutl
against protest. p.
The Advertiser does not expect an improvement
under present conditions. We WILL have an i'm
mediate Detterment When there is Governor II
the Capitol who does not uphold prostitution. OIL
new sheriff in the police station who knows the
difference between decency and what we now sui
fer from. A Governor who does not shuttle away
from his responsibilities could through his attor
ney general and high sheriff, enforce what the wal
and navy departments have requested. A sheriff
who had any regard whatever for his oath of Office
and some slight inkling of what the federal ad
ministraton means when it asks for protection TO
the soldiers and sailors could do much to maxi
unnecessary what is now being undertaken by thu
army itself the driving of vice to cover.
By the same token, little more of the iron hanC
and whole lot fewer warnings" from the loca
representatives of the department OF justice
wouldn't hurt.
The San Francisco Examiner does not Xix
Roosevelts comments on the methods pursued by