New-York tribune., 1899-12-30
THE MOJTGOMERY'S CRUISE.
WHY THE UNITED STATES WARsHIP Wis
TIED THE WEST AFRICAN COAST.

WHY THE UNITED STATES WARsHIP Wis
TIED THE WEST AFRICAN COAST.
London. Dec. 29-It has been learned by a
representative OF The Associated Press that the
United States cruiser Nontgomery's visit to
Liberia IS apparently the result OF overtures
made TO Washington by that republic Though
the British Government is in complete igno-
rance of the purpose Of the Montgomerys mis-
sion the establishment OF a coaling station IN
Liberia by the United States is regarded as
scarcely probable as, It IS asserted. no Liberian
port has any facilities for coaling, all OF them
being open and surfbound
But It is learned that far more important
step is under consideration. 1t consists In n
Joint request OF the United States and Great
Britain upon France TO define the boundary
between the territory she claims and that
claimed by Liberia. This step is not yet decided
upon but Great Britain only awaits the United
States assent to become a party to such n re-
quest.
It is alleged that France for many years has
been encroaching on Liberia. and 1t was only
by the strenuous protest Of the United States
that she was prevented from appropriating
large slice Of Liberia in 1892. According to the
Hon Arthur PonsonDy, managing director OF
the Liberia rubber syndicate. which recently
guaranteed the interest OF Liberals public debt.
the Montgomery's visit is probably prompted by
desire to ascertain the extent OF French ac-
tivity. Mr. Ponsonby said to a representative
Of The Associated Press:
Bishop Hartzell, while in Monrovia this year
strongly urged the Government to interest the
United States in preserving the boundaries with
the result that Liberia appointed mission to
Washington. ! believe IL has already made rep
resentations and presume the commander OF
tk,o ntfror cr1i inv
possibility Of O. coaing station. The latter Ii
IBERIA would gladly lease to the United States.
but beyond hoisting her flag upon II. II would
be of little service.
The feeling among British subjects CONNER
caly interested In Liberia Is that the repub-
hes progress had better be under the protec-
ton Of either Great Britain or the United States.
But both the British Government and those
having interests there believe that 80 long as
Liberia can continue to struggle on in her pres
ent condition every thlnB possible shoud be
done TO support her.
Liberia decorated Mr.. Ponsonby this week
with the Order Of African Redemption in recog-
milton OF his services against encroachments.
NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOERS.
THE MoNTGoMERY's CRUISE PROBABLY RELATED
TO A OoALING STATION
Washington. Dec Z-Although the naval officials
will make no official statement respecting the
cruise Of the Montgomery TO West Africa, II is
admitted that the ship was there In the early
fall returning TO her station at Buenos Ayres
about November / last These dates in them
selves may be regarded as sufficient to dispel
impression that the cruise was in any manner
connected with the war between the British and
the Beers. As 10 the real objects OF the cruise
II is believed that the Navy Department had It's
eye upon a possible coalng station on the West
Coast. Before and during the Civil War the
United States had no less than three coaling sta
tlons on that coast They were practically aban-
doned when the West African station was dropped
from the list. but the chief Of the Equipment
Bureau Admiral Bradford, has strongly urged
that they be re-esta blished TO insure our
naval vessels source OF coal supply when pass
ing from the Eastern Atlantic States around 10
the Philippines and China. In the event that the
Suez Canal should be closed against them. -
The Liberian Government always has been will
ing and even anxious that the station on its coast
should be kept up. II only as a manifestation OF
the interest OF the United states In the colony
it created and TO protect It by our moral influence
against European aggression The British con-
ceptlon of the object Of the Montgomerys visit vi
to Africa therefore may be entirely within the
line OF probability intended not only to AFFORD
us good coaling station where one Is badly
needed but also 10 exhibit TO other nations our
natural interest In the negro colony founded by
m