The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-13
WAR OVER SAMOA
Admiral Porter Thinks We
Are Well Prepared.
MONEY! WILL BUILD 4 NAVE.


study OF the Samoan situation from
naval stant point ever since the ex-
isting complications arose. il quoted
by the EseRias Sw as having said re-
Gently
Apia il worth lighting for il a
principle is involved. The first war
with Great Britain was for . princl-
PIE, and ii gave ms our independence
and national existence. The war of
1872 was for principle. and gave as
oar maritime independence. The war
with Mexico was for principle and
gave rs subjugated possessions on our
whole Pacific coast. The war for the
Union was for q principle and re-
suited in the restoration of the author
ify of the constitution and gave us a
people. North and South. animated
by a military spirit which viii be
equal to every possible requirement.
II have carefully investigated the
stories about the Nipsic. Ii locks as
II they were put ouf at the instigation
of Bismarck 70 test the sentiment of
bis own and our people. Hehas never
been friend OF the United States. He
viii find ont very promptly the temper
OF the American people. "0f course
We are weak at present on the ocean. 9
he continued, ssbut there is plan
which win meet the emergency and
viii badly cripple Germany while we
are getting ready No one supposes
the American people would give up
the contest until Germany has received
a sound druhbing. We have asurplus
and revenues enough. with the taxes
now at minimum point, TO carry on
a iesulEory war until we are in fight
ing trim. While We are getting ready
we can prohibit the entry of German
manufactures in the United States.
This is an important item in the mon-
etary activity OF Germany. We send
many millions there to pay for goods
If. for the time being, Germany
should try 10 blockade our ports, in
less than 60 days we should find an
English feet on our coasts involved in
protecting her own trade with the
United States. The hundreds of mil
lions and more OF British goods find-
ing q market in the United States
could not be cut off without running
British industries. France would also
have All interest. Meanwhile we could
get along without their goods if neces-
sary, SO England and France would
be forced. as measure OF industrial
self-defense, TO protect their vessels
and their trade with the United
States.
As the country knows. have been |
urging in letters and reports, the inn
portanee Of building up a powerful
navy. We have the wealth and re-
sources To lead the world in navy.
but, taking matters as they are, the
government should so to England and
France. both countries being ahead of
Germany in modern naval vessels and
guns, and buy all the rifled guns we
can find, and bring them here. We
win very so6n make use for them.
Here Is q list of the entire strength
OF the German navy. 1t is more than
we have, but we have money and could |
easily spend $3.50 600 900 in ships and |
appliances of war. There is League |
Island at Philadelphia, the grandest |
place on the continentfor great navy
yard. II we can build one we can
build 50 ships right there 1t is inac- |
cessible to foreign fleets. The channel |
of the river could be lined with torpe- |
does i: necessary. or they might be |
operated from shore. Ships could be |
uilt there with all the materials near |
at hand. OF course this woulda take |
time. In the meantime We should be !
compelled to resort to other modes OF |
offensive war.
With $50 COS, 900. in 60 days could
put an improvised feet in motion
which would make short work of Ger
man commerce. There are 500 Ger
man steamers aAoat. / know where
they are. We have feet ships /
could pick them out now. We could |
buy more They would answer for
privateers. About the time we would |
have this part of the work disposed of
German industries affected by foreign |
trade would be paralyzed, while we
wonld be at the height OF prosperity. |
We are always prosperous in time OF
war. We would then be getting ready |
to begin lighting. 1t might be possi- |
bic that G rmany would seize Samoa
fer the time being. The European as
pect OF the situation would present
another complication.