The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-13
Americans Have Always Fought for Principles,
Have Always Won, and Contest with the
Germans Would End in Similar Way.
The United States Would Quickly Find
aNavy We're War Ships Required.
The President Strolls In and Surprises People
at the Naval Observatory-There Will
Be No Extra Session of Congress.
THE SAMOAN QUESTION.
Admiral Porter Calmly Contemplates P<
sible Struggle with Germany.

WAShlN6IONs MATCH lI.-AQm1ral fOrter,
who has made very careful study of the
Samoan situation, from a naval stand
point, ever since the existing complications
arose, is quoted by the Evening Star as
having said recently: "a pin is worth
fighting for if a principle is involved. The
first war with Great Britain was for prin-
ciple, and it gave us our independence and
national existence. The war of 1872 was
for principle, and gave us our maritime in
dependence. The war with Mexico was for a
principle, and gave us the subjugated pos
sessions ON our whole Pacific coast. The
war for the Union was for principle, and
resulted in the restoration of the authority
of the Constitution, an6 gave us a people,
North and South, animated by 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 test
the sentiment of his own and our people.
He has never been a friend of the United
States. He will find out very promptly the
temper of the American people. Of course,
we are weak at present on the ocean," he
meet the emergency, and will badly cripple
Germany while we are getting ready. No
one supposes that the American people
would give up the contest until Germany
had received sound drubbing. We have
q surplus and revenue enough, with taxes
now at minimum point, to carry on desul-
tory war until we are In lighting trim.
While we are getting ready we can pro-
into the United States. That is an impor-
tant item In the monetary activity ofGer-
many. We send many millions there to pay
for goods. If, for the time being. Germany
should try to blockade our ports, In less
than sixty days we would find an English
feet on our coasts. involved in pro-
tecting her own trade with the
United States. A hundred millions
a market i'm the United States could not be
cut off without running British industries.
France would also have aninterest. Mean
while, we could get along without their
goods, if necessary; so that England and
BBFanSe Yf would be forced. as measure of in
Of building sS plo.sGs tefis states Ses.
the the ~saIt6 aapG2werfai naRs ave i%eos.nTg.
ing matters as nmSSoaG they afG and France born
countrf~s being ahead of Germany In
modern ma val vessels and guns, and buy ali
the rifled guns we can find and bring them
here. We will Very soon make use for them.
Here is a list of the entire strength OF the
German navy. 1t is more than we have, but
we have the money. and could easily
spend $3.50, 600, 900 in ships and appliances or
war. There is League island, at Phlladei.
phia, the grandest place on the contlnent
we can build fifty ships right there, 1t is
inaccessible to foreign fleet. The channel
of the river could be lined with torpedos, II
necessary, or they might be operated IRON
the shore. Ships could be built there Win
all the materials near at hand. OF course
this would take time. In the meantime we
would be compelled TO resort to other modes
of offensive war. With S50,OO0,OO0 IN sixty
days / could put an improvlsed Meet IN
motion which would make short work
with Germany's commerce.. There are
GOO German steamers afiOat. l know where
they are. We have feet ships; could pick
them out now. We could buy more. They
would answer for privateers. About the
time we would have this part of the work
disposed of German industries affected by
foreign trade would be paralyZed While we
would be at the height of prosperity. We
are always prosperous in time OF war. we
ING. It might be possible that Germany
would seize Samoa for the time being. Inc
European aspect of the question would pre-
sent another complication"
Interesting Opinions off Naval Officer.
NEW YORK, March IA Washington
special gives the following interesting In
| terview with a naval officer:
my information is" said this officer,
'that the last official dispatches left Samoa
| about the last of January, and reached San
| Francisco about Feb. 15 or 10. These dis
| patches were never transmitted to the Sen
ate. which was looking for some light on
the yexed question only two weeks before.
| Other dispatches had been before promptly
sent to the Senate, and the query is natural,
WHY were not these last as promptly trans
| mittedW
.Why were they not so transmitted dc
you thinkf" asked the reporter.
"Well, 1 think that the milk lies in the
fact that Bayard maintained that the whole
problem could be solved in peaceful way
Germany mad made overtures to this gov
ernment TO have convention IN bernn
where the wrecked convention OF w ashlng
ton could be healed. Bayard thought that Dl
accepting Germany's proposition he hat
been successful as diplomatic; but at tn
same time he dismissed Consul-genera
of affairs in Samoa. And, don't you see,. i
would not appear very well for him TO la.
before the Senate particularly as these Ger
tain dispatches had not been called 10r
| matters which would snow sui lurtne
aggression on the part of the Germans
These matters, or rather, serious wrongs,
he continued. "have been permitted TO dra
along month after month, and the depart
ments seem to be satisfied that the Amer
lean officials protested. Again, they. kne'
we had only one ancient vessel, while th
Germans had three well-manned an
equipped modern vessels, and vet Mullai
in his single ship, was in his glory. thong
not monarch of all he surveyed. The GeI
| mans came in for that-nay, more. Will
all these outrages were being perpetratet
| none of our vessels could be spared frol
| their snug berths in cozy harbors. either o
| the Atlantic or Pacific, till Mullan sent
. special messenger. hundreds of miles ava.
, | to Auckland. in order to request, yea, IL
! mand that he be supported by the presens
, of other vessels, and it was not till tn
, action on his part that the departmeI
J seemed to wake up to learn that all WI
t not lovely and quiet in the smooth Paclnc
r But" said the reporter, "Admirai hin
berly has been ordered there, and when !
arrives some positive action may be O
pected.n
{ Admiral Kimberly" was the reply. wi
Q simply continue to do what Captain Mu
q Ian has been dong for months-protesta M
i use his good offices. These are his order
d and he has received no others, aud am