The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-03-16
THE SAMOAN SITUATION.
ADMIRAL PORTER GIVES HIS VIEWS ON
THE QUESTION.
What He Thinks of the Rumors About the
Nipsic-BismarckT Trying TO Test the REEL
ing of the United states on the Subject.

What He Thinks of the Rumors ABOUT the
Embellishments Trying TO Test the Feel
ing of the United states on the Subject.
WASHINGTON, Marc.. 12.-Admiral Por
ter. vino has made very careful study
OF the Samoan situation, from naval
standpoint, ever since the exciting COM
phcations arose, is quoted, by the EceHahg
Star, as having said recently: "A PIN Is
worth fighting for if principle is ln-
volved. The first war with Great Britain
was for principle, and it gave us our In
Independence ana national existence The
war of 1912 was for principle, aud gave
us our maritime Independence. The war
with Mexico WAS for principle, and gave
US the subjugated possessions on our
whole Poetic coast. The war for the
Union was for principle, and resulted IN
the restoration of the authority of the
Constitution, aud gave us people North
and South, animated by military spirit
which will be equal to every possible re
quIrement.
Il have carefully investigated the
stories about the Nipsic. 1t looks as II
they were put out at the instigatlon OF
Bismarck to test the sentiment OF his own
and our people. He has never been
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 continued, but there is
a plan which will meet the emergency
and will badly cripple Germany while We
ire getting ready. No one supposes that
the American people would give up the
contest until Germany had received a
sound drubbing. We have surplus and
revenues enough, with taxes now at
minimum point, to carry on desultorI
war until we are in fighting trim. While
we are getting ready we can prohibit the
entry of German manufactures into the
United States. That is an important item
in the monetary activity OF Germany
We send many millions there to pay for
goods. Ii for the time being Germany
should try to blockade our ports, in less
than sixty days we would lind an English
fleet on our coasts involved in protecting
her own trade with the United States. A
bundled millions and more of British
goods finding a market in the United
States could not be cut off without ruin
ing British industries. France would also
have an interest. Meanwhile, we could
get along without their goods, if neces
sary. s., that England and France would
be forced, as "a measure of industrial self
defense, to protect their vessels and their
vessls and their trade with the United
States
Gas the country knows, have been
urging, in letters and reports, the import
ance of building up powerful navy. We
have the wealth and resources to lead the
world i'll navy. But, taking matters as
they are, the government should go to
England and France, both countries be-
ing ahead of Germany IN modern naval
vessels and guns, and buy all the ritled
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 $3.50 600 600 in ships and
appliances of war. There is League Is
land, at Philadelphia, the grandest place
on the Continent for 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 if necessary
or they might be operated from the shore.
Ships could be built there with 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 $50 600, 600
in sixty days could put au improvised
fleet in motion which would make short
work with German commerce. There are
600 German steamers afioat. l know
where they are. We have ii fleet of ships
| could pick them out now. We could
buy more. They would answer for pri-
vateers. 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 al
ways prosperous in time of war. We
would then be getting ready to begin
lighting. l. might be possible that Ger
many would seize Samoa for the time
being. The European aspect of the ques-
ton would present another complication.