The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-30
MISSION Of MONTGOMERY.
SENT on SECRET ERRAND TO COAST
OF LIBERIA.
Desirability of EstabIishing q Coal
ing Station ON West African
Coast May Have Been the Cause
Though No statement In Made.

NEW YORK. Dec. ga special to the
Herald from washington says:
1t developed today that the United
States cruiser Montgomery has been on a
secret mission to Liberia, Africa per-
formed. It is believed. With view to dis
playing the American flag in Liberian wat
ers and the location of a site for an Amer
ican coaling station on the Liberian coast.
While officials Of the navy department
maintain that the cruise was of an ordi-
nary character, 1t Is significant that II has
been kept profound mystery up to this
time, none OF the vessels movements hav-
Ing been recorded In the Daily Bulletin
published by the bureau of navigation.
while, during her apparently prolonged
stay at Pernambuco, 1t was stated on sew
eral occasions that the vessel was simply
cruising UP and down the South African
coat looking out for American interests.
It IL further regarded as significant that
the Montgomery's cruise In Libertan waters
was made at time when reports were in
circulation that Great Britain, Germany
and Italy had designs on the territory of
the little republic and these were 80 per-
sistant that Secretary Hay deemed 1t adj
visable to make inquiries Of the powers
named. These inquiries resulted in asser-
lions that none of the foreign governments
contemplated interfering with Liberian af-
fairs
The secrecy regarding the Montgom-
ery's movements was carried TO such an
extent that 1t was not until late this aft
ernoon that Secretary Long stated that,
navigation. he had been informed that the
Montgomery has visited Monrovia, the
capital of Liberia, and Free Town, the
capital of the British colony of Sierra
Leone.
While at the former point Commander
J. p. Meredith. of the Montgomery, called
upon the American minister. and 1t is un-
derstood, met the president and his cab
net. II is no secret here that Liberia has
long desired an active American protec-
torate, and has made representations
that she desires the establishment OF an
American coaiing station on her shores,
believing that 1t will give additional rea-
son for protection from this government.
The reports which have been received
at the navy department regarding the LII
berian coast show.i 1T does not possess a
Many. years ago the United States pos
point, it is believed, the Montgomery also
visited, though simply for the purpose of
taking coal on board.
Senator Mason, who has received a let-
ter from an officer OF the Montgomery.
states that he proposes to introduce q
resolution calling upon the secretary OF
the navy to inform the senate why the
Montgomery was ordered to Sierra Leo
rs and II the mission was in pursuance of
any understanding with Great Britain.
In the representation made by Secretary
Hay he has given European powers to un-
derstand that the policy of the United
States. with respect to the integrity of Id
Gals decline to state positively when the
Montgomery was in Liberian waters. inti-
mating that she left Pernambuco for the
African coast about November !.
1t is understood, on the other hand, that
the cruiser arrived at Pernambuco about
October IA, and, after coaling, proceeded
directly to F'reeport, where she coaled and
then went to Monrovia, returning to Per-
nambuco about November and sailing for
Rio on November a. The vessel remained
at Rio until November Is, when she sailed
for Buenos Ayres, where she arrived on
December and has been since.
is seriously contemplating the establish
ment of coaling station on the west coast
of Africa and the observations made by
Commander Merrill, of the Montgomery,
will be considered in connection with the
decision reached,