Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1889-03-14
ress nut 1alotai1n
PORTER ON OUR navy.
What Could he Done in the Event of
War with Germany.
WE ARE WEAK AT PRESENT
hut in sixty Days Time a Fleet Could BE
Put In Motion hi Would Drive
German Commerce from
the High Seas.

WASHINGTON, March 10. - Admiral
Porter, who has made a very careful
study of the Samoan situation from "a
naval standpoint eyer since the existing
complication arose., is quoted by The
Evening Star as having said recently:
"A pin is worth fighting for if a p%rinci-
pie is invoked. The first war with
Great Britain was for principle. and it
gave us our independence and national
existence. The war of 1912 was for a
principle, and gave us our maritime in
dependence. The war with Mexico was
for a principle, and gave us s~ubjugated
possession on our whole Pacific coast.
The war for the union was for a princi-
pie, and resulted In the restoration of the
authority of the constitution and gave
MS a people north and south, animated
by a military spirit which will be equal
to every possible requirement.. have
carefully investigated the stories about
the Nipsic. 1t looks as if they were put
out at the instigation Of Bismarck to
sentiment his own and our people. He
has never been a friend of the United
States. rs will find out very promptly
the temper Of the American people. OF
course, we are weak at present on
the ocean," he continued. but there is
n plan which will meet the emergency
and will badly cripple Germany while
we nre getting ready. No n ,supposes
that the American people would give
up the contest until Germany had re-
ceived a sound dribbing. We have a
surplus and enough. with taxes
now at a minimum point, to carry on a
desultory war until we are in fight
ing trim. While we are getting
ready, we can prohibit the entry of
German manufacturers into the United
States. That is an important item in
the monetary activity of Germany. We
send many millions there to pay for
goods. If, for the time being. Ger,
many should try to blockade our ports,
in less than sixty days we would find
the English fleet on u coasts involved
in protecting her own trade with the
United States. Three hundred millions
and more of British goods finding a
market in the United States could
not be cut off without running British
industries. France would also ave an
interest. Meanwhile we could get along
without their goods, ii necessary. IS
thu. Eng land /. md E:sfat o,.iG: be farced.
as n measure of self-defense, to protect
their vessels and their trade with the
United States. AS che country knows,
! have been urging in letters and reports
the Importance of building up a power
full navy. We have wealth and re-
sources to lead the world in a navy. But
taking matters. as they are. the govern.
ment should SO to England and France,
both countries being ahead of Germany
in modern naval vessels and guns, and
buy all the rified guns we can find and
bring them here. We will very soon
make Use of them. Here is a list of the
entire strength of the German navy. II
is more than we have, but we have
money and could easily spend $3.50, 600,
600 in ships and appliances of war.
There is League island, at Philadelphia,
the grandest place on this continent for
q great navy yard, If we can build one,
We can build fifty ships right there.
1t is inaccessible to a foreign fleet.
The channel of the river could be
lined with torpedoes il necessary. OF
they might be operated from the shore.
Ships could be built there with all the
materials near ut hand. OF course thu
would take time. In the meantime we
would be compelled to resort to other
modese of offensive war. With $50, 600. 00t
in sixty days !! could put an ~improvised
fleet in motion which would make short
work with German There
are 600 German steamers afioat. I know
whore they are We have feet ships; ]
could pick them out now. We could
buy more, They would answer fo,
privateers. About the. time we would
have this part of the work disposed of,
sGerman industries affected by foreign
trade would be p~aralyzsd. while W.
would. be at the height of prosperity.
We are always prosperous in time Of
war. We would then be getting ready
to begin fighting, The European aspect
of the question would present another
complication