The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-03-09
EVERY ONE DOUBTS.
The story OF a Naval Engagement at samoa
Dtscreditsd.
rhe story Doubted

The story Doubtsd.
SAN Francisco, March S.-Great prom.
inence is given by papers to the rumor that
an American man-of-wM was sunk In Sa-
moan waters In fight with the German
corvette Olga. No credance is given to the
report The steamship Alameda, which
left here for Australia Feb. touched at
Tutuila, the southern island OF the Samoan
group, Feb. 25, and arrived nj Auckland
March s. Had any engagement occurred
at Apla she would probably have learned
OF the fact At rutulla and carried the news
70 Auckland.
Despite the denIals OF the report which
appeared In the papers this morning 10 the
effect that an American war vessel had
been blown up up with torpedoes during a
hight with the German corvette Olga, At
Samoa, opinion here Is strongly inclined 10
place reliance In the rnmor and people are
greatly excited, Private adyices received
here tonight furnish strong grounds
tor belief In the truth of the re-
port These adyces are that the New
York Herald is In receipt OF a
telegram from James Gordon Bennett at
Paris confirming the caDlegram OF this
morring. II Is also currently reported here
tonight that naval officer In Washington
island navy yard here confirming the dis
patch. The naval officers AT this point say
that German gunboat did carry torpedoes.
None OF the American vessels now on the
way to Samoa are supplied with these mis-
siles.
The Nipsc. which is supposed TO be the
American vessel referred TO In the German
publication, Is rated as wooden vessel OF
the third class with six guns. The Van
al Au.A xxIn nlah IA 40. Inn Iasua
reached Samoa by this time, are also
wooden vessels carrying eight and ten
guns respectively as their main guns. Most
OF these guns are smooth bore, but naval
officers say Mt short range and against un-
arm0red vessels, such as the German boats
now in Somoan waters, these cannon are
just as efficient as rified ordnance. Unless
the German gunboats have also been rein
forced, the American ieet now at Apia Is
regarded as superior In offensive powers,
as its vessels are fresh from the repairers
and the crews are strong In numbers.
WASHINGTON, March s.-The story Of
the engagement between the German man
of-war Olga and an American maD-of-war
In the harbor OF Apia is generally disbe-
lieved at the navy department No infor-
nation upon the subject has been received
at the department OF state. IL was said
there the news OF an event Of such impor-
tance would surely reach the United States
at least ~ soon as German sea coast city.
Secretary Blaine this evening In answer
to an inquiry said the report OF conflict
between German and United States war
vessels at Samoa was, In his opinion, un-
worthy OF credence. He regarded II "a q
mere stock t0bbinR rum0r, having no f0un
dation whatever. Commodore Walker, Of
the nsvytiepartment, held similar views.
NEW YORK, March S.-No credit is given
10 the Schlessische Zeitung's story cabled
from Bseslau 70 the Herald about o fight
war. Even the Herald characterizes II as
sensational.
Regarding the authenticity Of the news
OF the encounter, the Herald refers 10 the
fact that German ship with the news
might have reached Auckland within four
or five days OF the occurrence and cabled
the fact 10 Germany, while the American
dlspach officer stationed there by the navy
department would be obliged TO walt the
arrival OF the regular steamers.
BERI.Ir, March S.-The Boersen Zeltung
says: Tine United States has proposed 70
refer that portion OF the Samoan question
concerning Germany and the United states
alone 10 arbitration. Germany ID not averse
TO this; frt adheres 10 the opinion that the
cnnferlz-<e 20 be held In Berlin Gheuid set-
tie the Questions involving Germany, Great
Britain and the United States"
Several Berlin papers announce that
the Samoan conference will open about the
18th inst.
LONDON, March In the commons to-
day the parliamentary secretary for the
foreign ONCE said the government had not
heard OF any truce being established be-
taafa. England. he said, had no right 10
interfere In the matter. He had no doubt