Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-03-31


Samoa with such furious intensity on the
10th instant originated, probably, some
300 miles to the northward OF the islands,
in about latitude 10 degrees south, longi-
tude 160 degrees west, and moved
rapidly southwark, directly towards
them. If the signs characteristic OF the
approach of the hurricane were observed
(long ieathery cirrus clouds, thicken-
ing veil of cirrus clouds, halos and fiery
tints at dawn and sunset) no doubt all
possible precautions were taken to ride
out the storm at anchor. The center of
the hurricane must have passed directly
over or very near the harbor, and in
case OF very severe tropical cyclone (as
this must have been) absolutely nothing
can resist its fury. In the great burri-
cane that crossed the island of Cuba in
| October, 1874, for example, seventy-two
vessels foundered at their anchors in a
few hours in the island-locked harbor of
Havan, a port almost unrivalled for the,
security of its anchorage.
| FoREsHADowING EVENTS.
1t appears that the rainy season set in
| this year at Samoa with severity and
rather early. On February 14tn. Just
about month before the fatal hurricane
which swept away our naval vessels, a
heavy gale descended upon the harbor
and wrecked several merchant vessels,
including the American barkentine Con-
stitution, whose crew was saved by a
boat from the Nipsic. On February 25th,
Captain Mullan of the Nipsic, who, from
his long stay at Apia, probably
knew more about the characteristics of
| Samoan weather than the Commanders
of the other American vessels, wrote to
his brother in this city as follows: owe
are now in the midst of the hurricane
season, and until April 18th we may
look for heavy weather. The harbor is
small with reefs outside and inside, max
ing bad holding ground. There is no
coal here and nothing to eat. Every
thing is very dear"
By the destruction of the American
/ fleet at Apia, the Navy Department finds
itself confronted with a serious problem.
Short of the China station where there is
a small fleet of old wooden vessels, at
least one of which can never hope sue
cessfully to cross the Pacific, there are
almost no American war vessels worthy
| of the name in the Pacific ocean which
can be sent Immediately to Samoa
1t would not be wise policy to
allow events there to drift along without
naval vessels. The hostile armed fac
the restraining influence of man-of-war
representing any civilized nation, and
property rights at least might be insecure
If life was not in jeopardy.
RELIEF ON THE WAY.
The Monongahela, an old storeship,
carrying a couple of howitzers, sailed
with stores for Samoa, from Mare Island,
| California, on February 2lst, and should
arrive in a week or two, unless she en-
counters bad weather. The Dolphin,
a dispatch boat, which is formidable
through the possession of one great
sun, might be ordered from China; or
the Mexican, now at panama, might be
sent to Apia, but this about completes
the list of available ships, and none OF
them would worthily represent the au-
thority of the United States. By
dint of extra work the Charlston.
now building at San Francisco.
might be gotten ready to sail in
about three weeks, but her batteries
would not be complete and the govern
ment would be at great expense, as the,
contractors would probably insist upon
remission of the penalties already ac-
crued for delay in the construction OF the
vessel, as a condition precedent to accel-
Grated work.
NO Restriction.
SAN Francisco, March 30.-The
Oceanic Steamship Company has re-
ceived dispatch from the Treasury De-
partment at Washington, saying that the
Naval Office would impose no restriction
on the Mariposas carrying more than her
usual number Of passengers, providing
they were ship-wrecked sailors of the
American vessels at Samoa.
New Site for the Inter-Ocean.
CHICAGO, March 30.-The largest real
estate deal of the season, involving
million dollars, was contaminated to-
day. the Inter- Ocean coming into possess
sion Of the northwest corner of Dearborn
and Madison streets. This corner,
20x40, was recently bought by H. H.
Kohlsaat for $500 per front foot, the.
highest price ever paid in Chicago. The
Haskell building, surrounding it in the
form of an L, has been secured by
! W., and Walter Peck are members, for
800, 900, the land being leased for
ninety-nine years at $4,000 per year.
The combined properties with a frontage
OF 100 feet on Madison street, 20 feet on
Dearborn street, together with an extern
sion to Calhoun place in the rear, in all
5000 square feet, has been transferred to
: the Inter Ocean, represented by VIM.
Penn Nixon, for new building bearing
it's name. 1t will be one of the most
prominent structures in the city, as this
is one of the three choice corners in
Chicago.
COnRratulating Bob Lincoln.
| LONDON, March 30.-Colonel Coureaud,
of the British army, who served on Gen.
eral McClellan's staff in the Army of the
Potomac, has sent the following dispatch
to Hon. Robert Lincoln, Chicago SIN
expressing, as an old friend and COM
rade, my most hearty and sincere con-
gratulations upon the well-merited honor
you have received from the President
and.the country, 1 may confidently add
the assurance that Americans residing in
England will welcome you with quite
exceptional unanimity and cordiality, no
less on account of your personal merits,
than as the son of one whose name and
memory are the pride and glory OF us
ALL"
NEWS NOTES.
Schweizer- Verein Helvetie will give
grand ball in Turner Hall this evening.
The public schools have closed for two
weeks. Commencing tomorrow after