The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-16
Admiral POrter'S Views.
mention.

WASHINGTON, March 12.-Admi-
raj Porter, who has made a very
careful study Of the Samoan situa-
ton from a naval standpoint ever
since the existing complications
arose, is quoted by the Evening Star
rs having said recently:
II have carefully investigated the
stories about the Nipsic. 1t looks as
if they were put out at the instigation
of Bismarck to test the sentiment Of
his own and our people. He has
never been a friend of ehe United
States. He will find out very prompt
ly the temper of the American PEG.
pie.
"Of course, we are weak at present
on the ocean," he continued, "but
there is a plan which will meet the
emergency, and will badly cripple
Germany whilc we are getting ready.
No one supposes that the American
people would give up the contest un-
til Germany had received a sound
drubbing. We have surplus and reve-
nues enough, with taxes now at q
minimum point, to carry on desul-
tory war until we are in fighting
trim. While we are getting ready
we can prohibit the entry of German
manufactures into the United States.
That is an important item in the
monetary activity of Germany. We
send many millions there to pay for
goods. If, for the time being, Ger
many should try to blockade our
ports, in less than 60 days we would
find an English feet on our coasts in
volved in protecting her own trade
with the United States, A hundred
millions and more of British goods
finding market in the United
States could not be cut off without
running British industries. France
would also have an interest. Mean
while we could get along without
sONuot ii bCNOoootJs ~" sA'sS
England and France would be forced,
as measure of industrial self-de-
Tense, to protect their vessels and
their trade with the United States"
LAS the country knows. I have
been urging, in letters and reports.
the importance of building upa pow
erful navy. We have the wealth and
resources to lead the world in navy.
But taking matters as they are, the
government should 60 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 will very soon make
use for them.
"Here is list of the entire strength
of the German navy. 1t is more
than we have. but we have the mon
ey and could easily spend $3.50. 900. 1000
in ships and appliances of war. There
is League Island, at Philadelphia,
the grandesu place on the continent
for great navy.yard. If we can
build one we can build fifty ships
right there, 1t is inaccessible to a
foreign feet. The channel of the
river could be lined with torpedoes if
necessary, or they might be operated
from the shore. Ships could be built
there with all the materials at hand.
OF course this would take time. In
the meantime we would be compell-
ed to resort to other modes of effen-
sive war. With $50.0O0,000 in sixty
days 1 could put an improvised fleet
in motion which would make short
work with German commerce. There
are 600 German steamers af1oat. ]
know where they are. We have fleet
ships 1 tcould 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 would be at the
hight of prosperity. We are always
prosperous in time of war. We
would then be getting ready to begin
fighting. 1t might be possible that
Germany would seize Samoa for the
time being. The European aspect of
the question would prevent another
complication.