The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 28, May 20, 1897 - A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Various
page 16 of 46 (34%)
page 16 of 46 (34%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
Much interesting news about Hawaii has been brought out by these recent events. Col. R.H. McLean, who has just returned from the Sandwich Islands, where he has been reorganizing the Hawaiian army, gives a very amusing account of the state of things he found there. He went to Honolulu in 1895, just after the insurrection to restore Queen Liliuokalani was over. On his arrival at the palace he found it fortified as if for a siege; the grounds were bristling with big guns, which were all loaded, and ready for instant firing. Eighteen sentries were on duty, and 200 men were sleeping on their arms in the basement of the building, while 100 more were ready to rush into action at a moment's notice. A thorough soldier himself, and accustomed to see such preparations only in time of war, Colonel McLean asked what was the matter. He expected to hear that there was a new revolt; but he was merely told that the Queen was a prisoner inside the palace, and that unless these precautions were taken, another rebellion might break out at any moment. He had been previously told that the citizens were in a state of panic, and that the natives were sullen and discontented. He thought there might be some grounds for the fear of a revolt, and decided that he had better examine his defences. |
|