Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-29
UNCLE SAM ALSO
AFTER TERRITORY
Secret Mission Of Cruiser Mont
gomery to Liberia, Africa.
AFTER A COALING STATION
. s,ber,a 10 DESTROYS OF an American
prolcctoratc aud wants q" give
u Cosiing station Site.

New York. Dec. ga special to the
Herald from Washington says:
IL developed today that the United
States cruiser Montgomery has been
on a secret mission to Liberia, Africa,
performed. II is believed. with a view
10 displaying the American nag In Lii
berlan waters and the location OF a
ate for an American coaiing station ON
che Liboran coast.
While officials OF the navy depart
mcnt maintain that the cruise was Of
an ordinary character. II Is significant
that II has been kept a profound mys-
terry up 10 this time. none OF the ycs-
cells movements nave been recorded In
the dany bunctin published by the
bureau OF Navigation, while during her
appatcnuy proiVngcu stay at Pernani-
bue0 II was stgtcd on several occasions
that the vessel was himply cruising up
ana down the South African coast look
lng out Tot American interests.
IL IL further regarded as significant
that the montgomery cruiAc In LII
berian waters Was maze at a time
when reports We're In circulation that
Ursat Britain. Germany and Italy had
republic. ana these were 40 persistent
that secretary may deemed II advisable
to make inquiries OF the powers named.
Theau Inquiries resulted IN assertions
that none of the foreign governments
contemplated interfering with LiDerian
unairs.
IT,. secrecy regarding the Mont
ogmery's movements was carried to
such an extent that 1t was not until
late this afternoon that Secretary
Long stated that AFTER making inquiry
OF lne bureau VI navigation he had
been informed that tic Montgomery
had visited MonrOvla, the capital or
LIBERIA, and Free Town, the capital OF
che British colony OF Sierre Leone.
While at the former point. Command
Ct j. l.. Merrill, OF the Montgomery.
called upon the American minister. IL
Is understood. met the President and
his cabinet. II IL no secret here that
Liberia has long desired an active
American protectorate. and has made
representations which led the authorl-
ties to understand that she desires the
establishment OF the American cOaling
station ON her SHORES. believing that 1t
viii give her additional reason for pro-
lection from the government.
The reports7hlch have been received
at the navy department, regarding the
Llberlan coast show It does not pos
scAs a satisfactory site FOR IA coaling
station. Many years ago the United
States possessed a coal pile at Sierra
Leone, which point, II IL believed, the
Montgomery also visited. though SIM
ply for the purpose OF taking coal on
board.
Senator Mason, who has received a
letter from an officer OF the Mont
somery. states that he proposes 10 In
troduce resolution calling upon the
Of h.. 10 Ind. h.s
Senate why the Montgomery was or
dercd to Sierre Leone. and II the mis-
sion was In pursuance Of any under
standing with Great Britain.
In the representations made by Sec
rotary Hay he has given European
powers to understand that the policy
OF the United States, with respect to
the integrity OF Liberia has not been
changed. Naval officials decline to
state positively when the Montgomery
was In Liberlan waters, intimating that
she left Pernambuco for the African
coast about November LIST.
IL Is understood. on the other hand.
that the cruiser arrived at Pernam-
buco about October 18th. and after
coaling proceeded directly to Freepor,.
where she coalcd and then went TO
Monrovla, returning TO Pernambuoo
about November LIST, ana sailing for
Rio on November 9Th. The vessel re-
manned at Rio until November 18th.
when she sailed for Buenos Ayres.
where she arrived on December LIST.
and has been since.
There " no doubt that this govern
ment IN seriously contemplating the
establishment OF n coallng station ON
the west coast OF Africa, and the OBJ
servatlons made by Commander Merrill
Of the Montgomery Will be considered
In connection with the decision reached.