Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-21
THE CRUISER MINNEAPOLIS Given Orders To Get Ready
 Without Delay TO PROCEED TO ASIA MINOR
It Will Be Month Before She Can
 Get There.
SHE IS THE FASTEST VESSEL IN THE NAVY
rho French Government Has Refused to Furnish the Records iu the Waller Case-H's Wife Doesn't Want
 Him Without Indemnity.

d consideration of the Turkish situation at yesterdays cabinet meeting the cruiser Minneapolis was today given orders to take on coal and other stores without delay and to sail for the European naval station. Her destination is Smyrnia, Asia Minor. and her duty will be to as- sist the flag ship San Francisco and the cruiser Marblehead in protecting the in- terests of American missionaries and other citizens of the United States It was stated authoritatively today that there were no new developments in the Armenian situation involving the govern ment. but from the general aspect of the present state of affairs it was deemed best to dispatch another war vessel.
 The action of the administration with regard to the Minneapolis was brought about through numerous appeals from missionary organizations and prominent men in this country to increase the United States naval force on the coast of Asia Minor Scores of letters have been received by the state department representing that the lives and prop erty of American missionaries were jeopardized. The last few days has wit messed an increase in these eommunica- tions, and the order issued today was the result
 
 Capt. w. H. Wadleigh.
 The vessel is now at Norfolk where she will take 600 tons of coal on board and then proceed to Hapton Roads to secure the 300 aditional tons necessary to fill her bunkers. With this amount of fuel the Minneapolis would be able to proceed direct to Smyrnia without stop ping, but will not stop at Gibraltar to replenish the stores The Min neapolis is the fastest vessel in ha mi nd official trial trip she maintained an -av- craze speed of more than 23 knots for the required time. It is not the intention of the navy departmnet, however, to test her capabilities in this line. and the yes sel will proceed at a rate of between 15 and 16 knots an hour, which is her most economical sped from the standpoint of coal consumption.
 Ninety-seven tons a day will be all that is necessary to secure the rate given, while that of a lesser or greater amount would be disproportionate to the results than can be obtained by using the amount named. It is said at the navy department that the Minneapolis will be ready to sail from Hampton Roads for Gibraltar by November 25. The distance is about 3200 knots while from Gibraltar to smyrna 1700 knots more must be traversed. At the rate of fif- teen knots an hour the Minneapolis can not be expected to reach Smyrnia in less than sixteen udyS, dllOWlnB two udyS TOT coaling at Gibraltar. It Is more likely, however, that the time consumed in the long voyage will be near three weeks. In addition to her officers she will carry 400 blue jackets and forty-five ma rines. It is understood that Smyrnia was selected as her destipation because 1t is the best place for missionaries to gather in the event of danger to their lives.
 While the state department refuses to furnish any informa ton in regard to the matter, the impression exists here that the French government has notified Am bassador Eustis at Paris that 1t will not furnish a copy of the record of the court martial proceedings against Ex-Consul Waller as a matter of right. MT. Wal ler's counsel, MT. Crammond Kennedy of this city, believes, however, that the record will be furnished to Ambassador Eustis if requested as matter of courtesy.
 It is not improbable that Mir Waller will be notified by the state department that the French government will release him from custody as a matter of grant if this government will waive the ques- tion of indemnity. So far apparently, he Is in ignorance of this fact. Mrs Waller strenuously insists upon a pay ment of damages in compensation for his Imprisonment, but it is not unlikely that the whole matter will be referred to the ex-consul to decide for himself Should he prefer to remain in prison upon the chance of obtaining indemnity, the state department and his counsel will do the best possible for him under the circumstances. r