The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-30

WASHINGTON. April 29.-Some sudden
and unexpected orders issued to United
States naval vessels late this afternoon
caused senation for time until the
purpose Of the orders was explained.
The Alert, which has been stationed for
month OF more at Panama watching
the progress OF the revolutionary move.
ment In Colombia, was ordered to pro.
coed at once to San Juan del Sur, the
nearest cable port to Corinto, Nicaragua
The Atlanta, now on her way from
Kingston. Jamaica, to Key West, and
expected to arrive at the latter place at
any moment, will find awaiting her
orders to sail at once to Greytown, the
eastern terminus of the proposed Nicar.
aguan canal.
The Montgomery, now at Mobile. will
follow the Atlanta on May with Mica
raguan canal commission aboard. The
Monterey. having sailed yesterday from
Acapulco direct for Panama, ia not ex-
pected to touch in at Corinto and, as she ia
now beyond 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 If CO.
casion arises in the future. Secretary
Herbert explained briefly the meaning
OF these orders. He said that the move.
ments OF the ships had nothing to do
With the present occupation Of Corinto
by the British, that being matter to
be settled between the Nicaraguans and
the British.
nf 10 1-I1 l.
guard American interests in Nicaragua
against the consequences OF a possible
revolution which may result from the
disturbed condition of the country
Being asked what measure of protec-
tion the Nicaraguan commission would
receive In the pursuance OF It's work
OF inspecting the line Of the canal the
Secretary said the Montgomery would
remain at Greytown while the commits
sion was in the interior, and with two
ships on one side and one on the other
there will surely be force enough to
protect the commission and all other
interests that otherwise might be en-
dangered by revolution.
The action taken by Secretary Her
bert may be attributed to the visit to
Washington of Senator Warner Miller,
OF the Nicaraguan Canal Company,
0hO "a oOuaO iCpOEkb mdQ0 Dy ulm on Ll0
basis of reports as to the condition of
affairs in Nicaragua, and to those COM
Ing to the Nichraguan minister directly.
Certainly the character of the United
States veasels which have been ordered
to Nicsraguais q sufficient evidence that
Secretary Herbert does not expect them
to come into hostile conflict with the
British ships; for If 1t came to that the
small cruisers, Atlanta and Montgom
cry, would find themselves opposed to
the whole British West India squadron,
while on the Pacific side the old Cor
vette would be left singlehanded
against the British Royal Arthur, Wild
Swan and Satellite.
In Mr.. Miller's conferences with Sec.
rotary Gresham and other cabinet off,
Gers, 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 threstened to 90 to
Greytown and San Juan del Sur the two
important ports on the Atlantic and Pa.
cihc. the cabinet officers were i'm
pressed with Mr.. Miller's statement of
the case and one of them charac terized
1t as the strongest presentation thus far
made. 1t was soon after this that the
orders to the American war vessels were
issued.