The record-union., 1895-04-30
Cause Somewhat of a Sensation at
the National Capital.
HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BRITISH
OCCUPATION OF CORINTO.
The United States Government Has No
Intention of Forming Alliances
With Any Foreign Power In the
Eastern War Trouble-The I'm
prisonment of Ex-Consul Waller.
Special to the REcolsD-UN1oN.

WASHINGTON, April 29.-Some sudden
and unexpected orders issued TO United
States naval vessels late this afternoon
caused a sensation for time until the
purpose of the orders was explained.
The Alert. which has been for month or
more at Panama watching the progress
of the revolutionary movement III Col
ombia, was ordered to proceed at once TO
San Juan Del Sur, the nearest cable port
to Corinto; Nicaragua. The Raleigh. now
on her way from Kingston, Jamaica, to
Key West, and expected TO arrive at the
latter place any moment, will lind await
ing her orders to sail at once to Grey
town, the eastern terminus of the pro-
posed Nicaragua Canal. The Montgom-
cry, now at Mobile, Will follow the Raj
eigh on May 7th, with the Nicaraguan
Canal Commission aboard. The Mon
ferey having sailed yesterday y nom Aca-
pulco direct for Panama is not expected
TO touch at Corinto, and as she is now be-
yond the reach OF orders by wire, she
will probably be allowed to relieve the
Alert on guard at Panama, whence she
can be ordered back to Nicaragua II
trouble arises in the future.
Secretary Herbert explained briefly the
meaning OF these orders. He SAID the
movements OF the ships had absolutely
nothing 10 do with the occupation OF Co
rinto by the British, that being matter
TO be settled between the NIcaraguans and
the British. The real purpose OF the or
derS is to guard American interests IN
Nicaragua against possible revolution.
Being asked what measure of protectlon
The Nicarassuan Canal would receive In
the pursuance of its work of inspecting
the line of the canal, the Secretary said
the Montgomery would remain at Grey
town while the commission was in the
with fpvC GnT on M q
and one on the other there would surely
be sufficient force to protect the cOmLuls-
sion and all other American interests.
The action OF Secretary Herbert may
be attributed to the visit to Washington
by ex-senator W arner Miller OF the
Nicaraguan Canal Company, and OF some
reports made by him on the basis OF pri-
Vate reports as to 1EAe real condition OF
affairs IN Nicaragua, and those coming TO
the NIcaraguan Minister directly. Ger
tainly the character Cf the United States
vessels which have been ordered to Mica
ragua is sufficient evidence that Secre-
tary Herbert does not eX pect them to
come into hostile conflict with the British
ships, for ii 1t came to that the small
cruisers Montgomery and Raleigh would
IND themselves opposed to the whole
British West Indies squadron, while on
the Pacific the Alert would be left single
handed against the British Royal Arthur,
Wild Swan and Satellite.
tary Gresham and other Cabinet officers
he presented very strong case on the
urgency OF the situation and the menace
to American control of the canal. He
brought out clearly the fact that the
British threatened to go to Gre ytown and
TO San Juan Del Sur. the two Important
points on the Atlantic and Pacific ends
of the canal. 1t was soon after this that
the orders to the vessels were IN ade.
MIR. Miller said the canal company was
very much Interested in events in Mica
ragua. The revolu ton which has been
threatened as result of British occupa-
Ion may disturb the canal company by
preventing work Oh Surveys and the pos
sible destruction of its property. The
company, hir. Miller SAID, wanted the
protection UI its interests, if not from the
n icaraguan Government. then from she
outside. The concessions of the PM
pany were safe, but the line of the ca nal
was not lie also said the concession
entitled the entire line OF the canal 10
protection, but al uncomfortable NOV p
ment may result in the destruction of
property by irresponsible persons.
MIR. Miller SAID he haQ called the atten-
tion of the State Department to the
necessity for protection TO the commits
sion that is soon TO leave for Nicaragua
TO examine the route of the canal. He
says 1t Will be very dangerous, in case of
\ revolutionary disturbances, for an
unprotected party to MAKE trip
3JNer the line OF the canal. Inc COM
mission being under the direction of
the State Department, it will, of course,
q necessary for the State Department to
the Navy Department for an armed
force, in case of trouble.
MIR. Miller urged upon both Secretary
Gresham and Secretary Herbert the
necessity of such protection to the Engi-
naer Commission, and also indicated that
In case OF revolutionary dIsturbance the
United States should not depend upon
the Nlcaraguan Government TO protect
the property. Mr.. Miller said Nicaragua
had been tranquil up to two years ago,
but the revolution at that time had dis
turbed affairs, and since then there had
been an unsettled condition.
Mr.. Miller says the canal company
wishes to give opportunity for the COM
mission to thoroughly examine the canal
lie expects the Chief Engineer, Mr.
Menocal, will accompany tho commission
ever the route OF the canal