The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-11
WAITING FOR THE FACTS
TheSamOan Incident Not Received with
Credence That ArOuses a War Spirit,
But the American Is Prepared to Fight if the
Report Is Confirmed, While the German
Hopes for Peaceful Outcome.

There was good deal of talk yesterday
at the hotels and other places of public re-
sort over the Samoan situation. with refer
ence to possible embroilmento of this coun-
try with Germany The reported sinking
of the United States navy steamer Nipsic
by German war vessel was generally dis
credited on the ground that sufficient time
mad not elapsed to carry news of such an
occurrence to San Francisco. and that
partment at Washington would have
SeVerthefeess, the possibility 81 sue sa0 an
occurrence. and the strained condition of
ticient to set people to thinking about the
results of such a happening, should it
occur, and quite a number of opinions were
expressed as to the effect of an attack upon
Americans there by the German fleet. II
would be q good thing for this country"
said one gentleman who had evidently
given a good deal of attention to the sub
ject 1--WE need something of that kind to
str STU; ms MS out OF the unhealthy condition into
we have become so completely taken up
with the pursuit of the mighty dollar, and
SO completely saturated with what Andrew
u. White calls "mercantilism," that we
seem to have completely lost all proper re-
gard for the dignity of the country, and
are without any right conception of the
duties that an enlightened patriotism
would suggest. Some such slap as the one
reported would be the very thing to get us
out of our sodden state and make us re-
member chat there are some other duties
beside T.Oney-making that attach to Amer
lean citizenship"
DO you think a war with foreign coun-
try necessary for that purpOse9"
No, do not think that any war is likely
TO grow out of any such incident as the one
referred TO, even If it is shown to have hap
pened. The countries interested are too
great and enlightened to engage in war
over an affair of that kind, even if we were
prepared to go into one, which we are not.
we might possibly enlist the aid
Of Russia, France OF Italy to
S SsTv St piece b.,S Ht our def bSds
have to ask such assistance. The affair
would be settled by negotiation. and the
only battles fought would be the battles of
the diplomatists. Still; l believe it would
necessity of getting ourselves IN shape to
assert our rights when they are threatened,
and to defend our flag at home and abroad.
What we need is navy fit to cope with
coasts. Whether this means heavy ord
nance and big war-ships or torpedo
service that makes hundred foot boat
moro destructive than an irOn-clad man-Of
war OF frOwning battery of big guns, |
am not prepared to say. but we have the
energy and inventive faculty sufficient to
put ourselves in condition where we could
protect ourselves, and we ought to have
patriotism enough to do it,"
What would probably be the attitude of
German Americans in the event of war be-
ing declared between Germany and the
United Staues!"
Il believe they would stand by our flag to
man. While they love the fatherland, they
have no affection for its present arbitrary
government. Most of them who emigrated
to this country came to escape the eXactions
of their former rulers They appreciate the
blessings OF free government as much as
any other class of our present citizens, for
eign or native, and have taught their chill
dren to appreciate them. Their love for the
old country is founded upon its language
and literature. it's music and its scenery,
and that feeling which makes every man
love the spot ON which he was born, but 1t
does not extend TO its present government,
and In any contest 1t may have with this
country they will, l think, stand by u.s."
j. B. Jeup, editor of the German Telc-
graph, considers the affair as altogether too
indefinite to be given any decided opinion
as to its effects on either this country or
Germany. Il look upon it," he said last
evening. las very Gieagreeable on both
sides, as matter of course to be thrown
into the position that matters have assumed
according to the dispatches that are said to
have been received on good authority.
confess that 1t is little suspicious, for
where one sees so much smoke there is apt
to be some fire. 1t is my candid opinion
that all has not been published that is
known to be fact, and that both sides feel
| justified in some cOncealment. / shall say
| In my editorial column tomorrow that the
| sinking of the Nipsic is not incredible, but
improbable"
you are inclined to believe the rumOr
unfounded, then" he was asked.
Il can hardly say that for l am not in
| possession of enough facts to warrant such
an opinion. 1t may all be true. but feel
| confident that Bismarck will give satisfac-
ton to America in any steps he may feel
| that we German-Americans are thrown into
/ rather peculiar position, and we do not
even feel called upon to take issue with
| either side. While we all wish to see JUS
| tice done to the country that is giving us q
home, we can not forget our native land
| A man would not deserve the name who
| would have no regard for the welfare of the
| land that gave him birth-nO matter where
| his after life was spent"
| What do You think the effect on this
country will be in case the news is shown
| to be officialW
THAT again hinges ON the circumstances
surrounding the affair. if it happened at
all. 1t all depends upon who fired the first
| shot. If the commander of the Nipsic is to
| blame, thenitwill 90 far toward excusing the
commander of the German man-of-war for
retaliating: If, however, the combat was
begun by the German commander, then 1
think that Secretary Blaine cannot come
| out any too strongly in his assertions for
| the rights of America. No power on the
| face of the earth is justified, under any
| circumstances, III attacking either the
| army or the navy of any other power with
out sufficient prOvOcatiOn, or without some
| cause that is very plainly laid down in the
| code of international relations. And when
| / say that, ! not only give my own
| opinion, but / voice the sentiments of
| all the Germans in this country, or any,
| where else. 1t makes no difference what
| country violates this principle, whether it
be Germany or any other, you can state
that my people are, as class. opposed to
| any such open and, at the same time,
| manifest breaches of common law. ! only
| hope that it has not been done in this in
| stance, not only because Germany or Amer
| lea are involved, but because it would be a
| lasting disgrace in the worlds history"
You are somewhat sanguine as to q
| peaceful outcome, then!
well, yes. 1t pays to be as long as you
| can't find just cause for fear. / am trying
| to convince myself that no very serious
| consequences will result. The only thing
| that troubles me is the fact that
| the Zeitung should publish and re-
| peat the dispatches 1t is the official
| paper, and is supposed to receive all
| of its information from reliable sources
But after all there may be some way out of
| all the difficulty. The German interests
are so closely allied with those of America
| that il would be rash step for her to enter
| into any dispute over the rights of posses
| sion without first being convinced that she
| was justified, and the Communications