, 1889-03-14
PURELY A CANARD.
The Sinking Of the Nipsic Pro-
nounced Sheer Fabrication.
Sensation without Substance OF
the Shadow Of Fact.
san rranelsco Yabies Nailed 70 tho wall
rho Navy Department Pooh
Poohs ths whole story.

WAsurNeroN, March 9.-There is still
q dearth OF news from Samoa In the state
and navy departments. In tho state de-
partment the fact that II has not been
oflicially advised Of the blowing up OF the
Nipsic IL regarded ~ sufficient evidence
that no such thing has happened. They
have not telegraphed the acting consul for
the reason thatit 10 not to be supposed
that be has neglected his duty and failed
to inform the government OF an event OF
such Importance. In answer 70 the sng,
gestion that the Germans would control
every avenue by which the news could
could reach the United Statss IL 10 said
that they could not prevent the informa-
tion from reaching England through some
of the English vessels at Samoa, even
supposing that the reported engagement
has been followed BY a declaration OF war,
which might result In cutting on Consul
Blackjack from the cable at Auckland.
Naval officers here, without exception.
also discredit the story. although they
BY the Olga in q sea fight. They are
rather inclined 70 accept the view taken
by certain Of the Epglish papers, that the
publication In German newspapers Ia
thrown out as o feeler. TO learn how an
attempt to chastise Mataafas forces for
the killing Of the German seamen, would
be received In Germany and America
WASHINGTON. March 9-The story
published here this afternoon that the
United States man.of-war Nipsic was
sunk In Samoan waters during fight with
levers vet nor can any confirmation
worthy OF credence be obtained. Interest
over the alleged encounter, however, 10
tremendous, even the ravenous horde OF
patriots In search Of Office pause and en-
quire TO what would such catastrophe
lead. Mr.. Blaine stated last night he did
not believe the report. Representatives
Hill and Morrow are disinclined TO accept
the German dispatch 40 true.
The following 10 part OF the last letter
from Captain Mullen. OF the Man.of-war
var Nipsic, received BY his brother in
this city. The letter ia. dated Apia,
have war times and excitement. Germany
has declared war against Ma.aafa, and
proclaimed martial law in Samoa. have
protested againss this martial law bus
iness and think II has had beneficial
effect. They IN their proclamation
said in case the citizens of Apia
did not give in the last of their
army ammunition, ETC., they would be de-
ported or imprisoned. told in writing
Captain Fritze OF the Alder that in the
whole jurisprudence of my country there
was no such punishment. They bad their
proclamation printed on January 23,ready
Of stopping this. The proclamation
spoke Of offenses and penalties of death,
deportation, shooting, hard labor. impris-
onment, etc. They do not hold Apia, nor
have they invaded Samoa, hence under
the English and American law they can
not proclaim martial law. but the German
Law 10 different. Things are exciting here,
and they are with Mataafa, but all their
proclamations are directed against foreign.
ers. They carry on hign game here, and
our government has but one vessel, while
they have three good ships.
II hear By way & Of Auckland HUa We % will
how this affair will end. The Samoans do
not want Germany to annex their island,
but have long ago asked both England and
the United States to take them, am
kept busy from morning to night and
have been since the TIN of December.
when the Adams left for California. Ny
mail by this steamer will be the heaviest
have yet had, and my several reports to
the secretary are quite lengthy and full
and give every item that has occurred. A
little paper published here. the Samoan
Atmee' haS oeen suPProsScu ny ene poT'
mans.
On January 0 the German consulate and
German cousul's house, etc.. were
burned. The loss was 100000. 1t
wss the greatest fire ever in
Apia. sent men to render aid. got
thanked in public proclamation. copy
of which send you. think and certain.
y hope that all my actions in this Samoan
business will be approved by the govern
ment. for the state Of Samoa was never in
such condition, and am here alone just
ut the top and in the midst of it all, and
Of course the responsibility is great.
hear that Germany intends sending out
troops about February /. sent Lieuten.
ant Hawley to Auckland to telegraph to
the secretary and he will be back on Feb
ruary 2. The German consul at Auckland
chartered small English steamer the
other day and sent her here with impor-
tant German dispatches, but what these
dispatches were no one but the Germans
know.