Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.

No. 1110.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose to the Department copies of telegrams received from and forwarded to Mr. Livingston, our consul at Cape Haitian, regarding the existing troubles there on account of the coming elections of members of the Chamber of Deputies, who are to select the members that are to compose the new Senate, and both Chambers to unite and elect the next President of this Republic.

In that portion of the Republic known as the department of the north, and which embraces Cape Haitian, are the two candidates, Gen. Nord Alexis and the Hon. A. Firmin. Both are making strong appeals to the people to secure their votes. Gen. Nord Alexis is the military governor (delegate) of that section and the minister of war and marine in the present Provisional Government. The other candidate is the Hon. A. Firmin, the present Haitian minister to Fiance. These men have heretofore been warm friends. It is claimed by General Nord that by the advice of Mr. Firmin, and through his influence, [Page 606] he was led to assemble and lead a strong force against Port au Prince; that it was Mr. Firmin also who had caused a forced loan to be levied upon the merchauts at the Cape. When Mr. Firmin reached Port au Prince, he placed all the movements in regard to the army and the raising of this money to the credit of General Nord. Later General Nord arrived at Port au Prince, and when he was informed of the statement made by Mr. Firmin, who left for the Cape shortly after General Nord’s arrival, he denied it, and stated in reply that it was through the advice of Mr. Firmin that he was led to bring an army from the north to Port au Prince. From the statements made in regard to him he became a bitter foe of Mr. Firmin.

He remained here a few days after the departure of the army for the north, and returned to the Cape to oppose and defeat the aspirations of Mr. Firmin, who desired to be made a member of the Chamber of Deputies in order, as a member of that body, to further his contest for the Presidency.

As I have stated, a bitter feeling exists between these men and their partisans. Up to this time General Nord has the better of the fight, acting as he does in a double character, being the military governor on the one hand and a member of the Provisional Government, as its secretary of war and marine, on the other. Since his arrival at the Cape he has made an aggressive fight on Mr. Firmin, and in order to defeat him has issued orders, it is said, to the troops under his command to vote against Mr. Firmin. He has also prevented Firmin’s friends from holding public meetings; he has caused searches to be made of the houses of the Firminists for arms, and has caused certain prominent adherents of Mr. Firmin to be put in prison.

Admiral Killick being a warm friend of Mr. Firmin, the latter appealed to him for protection against the movement of General Nord; hence the order or threat of the admiral and his subsequent movements of landing sailors from his vessel at the Cape for the protection, it is said, of Mr. Firmin. In so doing the admiral has placed himself in a perilous position. In case Mr. Firmin is defeated he will be either shot or exiled, as General Nord is his superior officer, and he is supposed to be under the orders of the Provisional Government, which he has refused to obey.

As to the threat of bombarding the city, I do not believe it was his intention to do so, as his chief gunners have left him, and in such a bombardment Firmin’s friends would suffer as much as those of General Nord. Again, the admiral has large property interests there which would also suffer; for these reasons he would not bombard the place. His idea was to intimidate General Nord, and by this means make him relax his efforts against Mr. Firmin.

The ill-advised actions on the part of Mr. Firmin and his friends are causing him to lose many votes that he would have received in other sections of the Republic. As it looks at the present time, he will be defeated as a candidate for the Chamber of Deputies and later for the Presidency.

All the members of the diplomatic corps received telegrams from their respective consuls advising them of the action of the admiral. The diplomatic corps was convened, and it was agreed that the members should call individually on the minister of foreign relations and express to him the hope that the Government would take immediate action to prevent the admiral from carrying into execution his threats, [Page 607] and, if trouble should occur here, that the Government would take all measures in its power to protect foreign interests.

In my interview the minister informed me that they had telegraphed to the admiral not to bombard or land troops, and if their orders were disregarded he would be considered as not sailing under the Haitian flag and would be classed as a pirate. He also assured me that in case of any trouble that foreign interests would be fully protected, and, finally, there was no need of anyone being alarmed.

I have, etc.,

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Livingston.

Sir: I had the honor to receive your telegram a few minutes ago, which reads as follows:

“Military authorities here commence intervene in election. Preliminaries apparently against Firminists. Latter vexed; menaced, but unwavering; stout resistance expected; indications of trouble election day; society, business, foreign interests apprehensive. Perhaps advisable inform Haitian Government.”

In reply to the latter part of your cablegram, it would not be advisable for this legation to inform the Government, as we have strict instructions not to interfere. Our business is to protect only American interests. Again, you will remember that General Nord, who, I understand, is at the Cape, is the minister of war and marine, and therefore a part of the Government, and who is possibly the instigator of this movement. Allow me to suggest to you not to have anything to do with this matter. Give neither advice nor suggestion to either party, but be watchful over American interests.

Kindly keep me advised, in order that I may be able to communicate with the Department if an emergency requires. At present all is quiet here.

Your obedient servant,

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Livingston to Mr. Powell.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 21st instant, confirming telegraph, etc. The message in question was sent at the request of a friend who wished you to know the situation, and who paid for the telegram. As it was a correct statement of the situation, was sent to you only, and as I also desired that you be informed, I consented to send it. The situation not only has not ameliorated, but is growing steadily worse. In the Cape itself the contest is exceedingly bitter, Mr. Firmin having, apparently, many strong personal enemies who are leaving nothing undone to accomplish his defeat, both as deputy for the Cape and President of the Republic. Gen. Nord Alexis has discarded the role of quasi-Firminist and seems to be using all his undoubted influence as well as his official power against Mr. Firmin. Even his friends assert that the soldiers hereabouts are being instructed to vote for certain candidates.

At this writing there are rumors of coming arrests; some individuals have been disarmed, many houses have been searched for arms and ammunition, and the general belief is that there will be a clash sooner or later. A prominent gentleman, a friend of General Nord, said to me this morning that he was so apprehensive of trouble that it was doubtful whether he would attempt to vote. He said further, that he was endeavoring to secure a promise from the leaders on both sides to discourage among their followers any tendency toward violence.

My personal attitude is, of course, that of strict neutrality, but the situation is very interesting; it is also discouraging for those who wish well for the future of the country.

I am, etc.,

Lemuel W. Livingston.
[Page 608]
[Inclosure 3.]

Mr. Livingston to Mr. Powell.

[Telegram.]

Killick threatens (to) land troops and bombard city to-morrow if military pressure exercised at election. Consuls protest against Killick.

Livingston.

Mr. Livingston to Mr. Powell.

[Telegram.]

Marines landed; collision imminent. Killick will act.

Livingston.
[Inclosure 4.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Livingston.

[Telegram.]

Telegram received. Government here made acquainted with contents. Do not think Killick will take such action.

Powell.
[Inclosure 5.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Livingston.

Sir: I have your favor in yesterday’s mail. Many thanks for informing me of the current situation. Last evening received your telegram. I think it is one of the cards that Killick would like to play, but will not, or, in other words, a game of bluff. He has no more idea of doing so than you. This announcement is simply to frighten the timid. To do as he states would injure his friends more than he would his foes. Again, Killick has large property interests at the Cape; so if it should escape his fire someone would set it on fire for revenge. You need have no fear that he will do so. His threats are doing his candidate no good in the other sections I hear.

Here all is quiet and the Government, it is said, will in no manner interfere, and the election will be absolutely free. Voting will virtually commence here on Monday. Trouble is reported at Aquin. Thanks for your letter.

Respectfully,

W. F. Powell.