The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-10
The State and Navy Departments Have Re-
ceived No Newsletter from the NipSics
Commander Shows Critical Situation.
A Feeling at Washington that the AL
legged Conflict Occurred as Stated.
San Francisco Greatly Excited Over Several
Unconfrmed Statements Bearing on the
Supposed Destruction of the Nipsic.
SAN FRANCISCO EXCITED.
Unconfirmed Reports and Bulletins Rouse a
Feeling of Intense Interest.

Unconfrmed Reports and Bulletins Rouse q
Feeling of Intense Interest.
SAN Francisco, March 9.-This city had
touch. to-day, of the excitement which
would follow the confirmation of the rumor
that the United States man-of-war Nlpsic
had been sunk in Samoan waters by the
German man-of-war, as reported in the
Breslau dispatch, two days ago. All man
ner of disturbing rumors were abroad dur
ing the day, to the effect that the naval
authorities at Mare island had received
news confirming the sinking of the Nipsic,
which was intensified by the statement
that the Germans had seized the American
mail steamer Alameda, of the Oceanic Com
pany. The statement was also made that
the Secretary of the Navy had telegraphed
an inquiry to the Union iron works, of thsi
city, as to how soon the steel cruiser
Charleston could be placed in readiness for
her guns. Based upon these rumors, and
the further statement that the Southern
Pacific Company had received notice to be
prepared to handle the Charleston's guns
and naval stores, the newspapers put out
bulletins declaring that the sinking of the
American man-of-war had been confirmed
by private advices. Tremendous crowds
surrounded the newspaper offices, and in
spite of lack of definite confirmation OF the
news regarding the Nipsic, the news spread
rapidly throughout the city that the rumor
of the sinking of the American ship was
true. Newspaper extras, issued up to
o'clock, failed to definitely dispose of
the question as to the fate of the Amer
lean warship, or whether the Washington
authorities were finally in receipt of con-
firmatory news. How thoroughly the ex-
citement had taken hold of the masses was
shown in the crowds of men and women
about the bulletin boards, and the common
sentiment expressed in case disaster had
Overtaken the American vessel. The story
respecting the steamship Alameda is shown
to be untrue by the receipt of cable from
Sydney noting her arrival there. The
steamship Zealandia, which is due here
next Saturday, will bring mail advices
definite telegraphic advices are received
the first authentic news from the islands
received since the 1st of February.
"A firm in this city cab'"" their agents at
tuC N0pldlu VI tllCtL VI HON lOtuluB
with coal there for San CISCO to call
at Apia en- route and SUI. Y the United
States feet there with fuel, should the
vessels composing the fleet require it. The
vessel is expected to reach Apia within two
weeks.
Firms in this city engaged in the Samoa
trade are very uneasy about the state of
affairs in Samoa. AS an evidence of this, it
is learned that orders for a cargo of lum-
Der destined for Samoa have been counter
manded until the recent reports have been
settled.
In an editorial article headed THE First
Shot," commenting on the reported engage
ment between the United States steamer
Nipsic and the German covette Olga, the
California Democrat the leading German
paper of this city. will say tomorrow:
AS American citizen of German extraction,
we cannot but deeply deplore this unfortunate
quarrel between the country of our choice and
that of our birth. But. whatever may come
there remain but two roads TO follow; either we
must rally around the starry flag and defend it
with our lives and our fortunes. we have TO
shake of American citizenship by emigratng
from this country, and since we have come here
to stay, we will stand and fall by our fag-our
country right or wrong"