Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.
Port au Prince, Haiti, May 30, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to state to the Department that since my dispatch, No. 1095, of May 24, 1902, affairs here have assumed a calmer aspect. The several sections of the Republic have sent delegates to the capital for the purpose of selecting a Provisional Government. This was happily effected May 26, with the following officers:
- Gen. Boisrond Canal, President.
- Gen. Nord Alexis, charge of department of war and marine.
- Gen. St. Fort Colin, charge of department of interior and police.
- Mr. Jérémie, charge of department of foreign relations and public instruction.
- Mr. D. Cesarion, charge of department of public works and agriculture.
- Mr. Ch. Dennery, charge of department of finance and commerce.
- Mr. Lalanne, charge of department of justice and religious worship.
Upon the appointment of the Provisional Government communications were addressed to each member of the diplomatic corps stating this fact. This body met and drafted a reply, which was sent by each member. The several officers above named entered upon their duties May 27. When it became known that the Hon. A. Firmin, as well as the other candidates for the Presidency, were not to be members of the Provisional Government, the situation was somewhat relieved; but there is still some danger on account of the proximity of what is known as the “army of the north” to the capital. It was supposed they would return to Cape Haitien, Gonaïves, and St. Marc, but such is not the case; and in the appointment of Gen. Nord Alexis as the minister of war and marine this body of troops can enter the city at any time by his orders. The danger then will be that a “coup d’état” may occur at any moment. The north will have the advantage in having control of the Government’s arsenal and the assistance of the two Haitian war vessels to assist them. The palace still remains under the control of the Government troops. The commandant refuses the Provisional Government or its President an entrance thereto, and states he will only give way to a constitutionally elected President. While it is true the Provisional Government has full control, and is generally acknowledged throughout the Republic, indications show that the members thereof do not fully trust one another. As an example of this the present secretary of interior and police, Gen. St. Fort Colin, is also the military governor of this city. He has refused to surrender the latter office, so holds both. His refusal is based upon the idea that this office might pass into the hands of those who were his personal [Page 599] enemies, and thus the military authority in this section might be given to another. He is very popular with this portion of the army, and therefore desires to remain in control.
The Provisional President, Boisrond Canal, has stated through the papers that he favors none of the candidates named, and that he is neutral; that he accepts the present place for the peace and welfare of the Republic. This statement has had a good effect on the popular mind. From advices received to-day from our consular agents I find tranquillity prevails in the north; that there is some slight trouble existing in the south, especially at Jacmal, which may burst into a flame. If so, we may look for trouble in that direction.
All the candidates are active, each using all the means in his power to influence the electors in his favor. The system at present in vogue is similar to that used in the late elections in France. Scurrilous handbills are being circulated by the partisans of the one candidate against the other. I do not think, though matters are still uncertain, that we shall be disturbed until about the time of the election of members to the Chambers, which, it is stated, will take place about June 26, 1902. The Chambers, or House of Delegates, will meet on or about July 15 to organize and proceed to the election of the upper house, or Senate. This will possibly take a week, after which a week or two more will be consumed in securing their attendance; then, their organization. It is only after this has been done that the two houses can convene to elect the President; so it will be about August 1 before the President will be installed.
Another question arises here which is apt to cause more trouble. Their constitution states that a fixed date is given for the election of members of the lower house No provision is made therein for an election at any other period. This date has passed, so any election now held will be declared unconstitutional by the friends of the defeated candidates. As the Congress itself was not a constitutional body, we may look for a revolution within a few months after the successful candidate reaches the coveted office. Another feature that ought to be considered is, if the north be successful in naming the candidate, the south will accept him reluctantly, and possibly drive him from power within a few months. If, on the other hand, the south succeeds in electing one of their candidates, the north will declare that fraud has been practiced; so neither party nor section will be satisfied with the result, and possibly the words of the outgoing President will be verified: “I will be the last President of Haiti.” * * *
The presence of the Topeka here has been of great benefit in calming the excited passions of the contending factions. It would be wise, as long as this unsettled condition of affairs exists, to have some naval vessel in these waters. I have learned from the English chargé, Mr. Cohen, as well as from an interview with the commander of the Psyche, that the latter would return from Jamaica and relieve the Topeka. The French minister, Mr. Desprez, is to have a vessel of his nation to relieve the English war ship, and a German vessel is expected to relieve that of France. I trust the Department, owing to the gravity of the situation, will have one here on or about the time of the meeting of the Chambers, when affairs may become more serious.
Another matter I have the honor to mention in connection with this has been the forced loans made by Mr. Firmin in the north, giving as a guaranty for repayment certain revenue derived from the exportation [Page 600] of coffee, which revenue has already been guaranteed for certain outstanding bonds, and which, by this loan, is to be diverted from the channel in which it should go. Protests have been made by the French minister and the German chargé, and one has been handed me from our commercial houses to present to the Government. I have not done so, as there was at the time no government to whom such a protest could be sent, and since then I have looked upon it as a personal act of Mr. Firmin which will have no effect unless he should be elected; in which case I would like instructions from the Department.
I have stated the situation up to the present moment. I also inclose certain correspondence bearing upon the subject-matter.
I have, etc.,