New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-09
THE ADMIRAL At SAMOA.


The American naval forces at Samoa are re-
duced, according to the latest advices, to an
Admiral two staff officers and five men. The
Adams when it arrives from San Francisco will
become the flagship and there will be at least
one vessel there when MalietOa returns to the
islands and is restored to the throne. There
is only one German vessel in those waters, the
gunboat Wolf which is reported from Auck-
land to have gone to the Marshall Islands to
fetch the eXied King. Other cruisers, how
ever, are on the way, and the Adams will prob
ably be outmatched when the final paciiication
Of the islands is effected on the lines of the
Berlin settlement This disparity of naval
force will not be a fact Of serious importance
since the natives are impressed with the SER
vices which the United States Government has
rendered to them. Admiral Kimberly has con-
tinued to receive manifestations of the graf
itude of the Samoans for the interest taken by
the Americans in the welfare and independence
Of the islands. Ma'aafa and TamaSeSe have
made truce, abandoned their camps and af-
frmed their readiness to abide by the decision
of the conference. The Samoan episode has
virtually been brought to a close by the firm
ness Of the American Government and the
! timely and judicious concessions made by Ger
| many.
The naval force in Samoa while greatly re-
duced in strength has been large enough to
promote a bitter quarrel between the chief
| officers on tho American side Admiral Kim
! berry, having seen two of the best ships in the
! service, the Trenton and the Vandalia, 90 down
under his eyes, was naturally anxious to send
into port the only one remaining ahoat. Captain
| Mullan, not considering the NipSic in her shat
! tered condition seaWorthy, started for Auckland
under protest, and after going 25O miles re-
turned to Apia against the advice
Of his colleagues. The Admiral was
! 50 emphatic in expressing his dis
pleasure that Captain Nullan asked to be
relieved from command The Admiral again
! gave orders for the Alert to convoy the Nipsic
I to Auckland, a substitute having been found
! for Captain NIulan; but the destination was
! subsequently changed to Honolulu for some Oc-
cult purpose. If the vessel were to be taken
! to any port Auckland was the more desirable
! one, since it was much nearer Samoa and
offered adequate facilities for repairing the
! battered hulk and disabled machinery. Adj
! mral Kimberly in changing the destination
I forced the new commander to put in at Tanning
Island when the Nipsc's supply Of coal gave
out and there she will remain, 1 80 0 miles from
| Honolulu until a cargo can be sent by sailing
vessel and the Alert can return TO accompany
! her on the dangerous voyage.
Captain Mullan's Judgment has been par
tally justified by the difficulties encountered
in the voyage to Honolulu; but he would have
done better IN the first instance if he had
persevered in his course to Auckland under the
| Admrars orders. With the Alert at hand to
take off the crew in an emergency, there was
no great danger in continuing the voyage; and
with the Nipsic in her shattered and nearly
worthless condition the risk of losing her alto
| gether was not q serious one under the circum-
stances The vessel was worth nothing in her
| disabled condition at Apia; and the only means
of saving her was to take her to the nearest
port where she could be repaired. Captain
Olullan seems to have been unduly anxious to
vindicate his own judgment that the Nipsic
was utterly unseaworthy and unable TO weather
gale, The Admiral, on the other hand, acted
strangely in not sending her back to Auckland,
and he will be criticised in naval circles for
ordering her off on a longer voyage to liono-
| lulu. II is quarrel that will probably involve
court-martal and an official investigation.