Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.

No. 1132.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the situation is apparently improved since my last dispatch, No. 1127, was penned. The indiscriminate firing at night in the streets has ceased, owing to a decree of the Government that the person or persons caught in so doing would suffer death. The defeat of General Salnave by the army of Gen. Nord Alexis, and the threatened attack upon Gonaives by the latter, has caused Gen. Jean Jumeau to change his base of operations and withdraw his army from the vicinity of Port au Prince and to remove it to Gonaives. He has taken the field in person, and is moving with his army toward the Cape to meet Gen. Nord Alexis. In this he is actively assisted by ex Vice-Admiral Killick with the Crête. This movement on the part of General Jumeau is a happy relief to both the Government and the residents of this city, and is the bright side of the picture so far as the capital is concerned. Disturbances have broken out in other places, but the Government troops have been able to quell them without great loss of life.

In view of the threatened attack on the Cape, I have requested that, if possible, Commandant McCrea remain to protect foreign interests there, especially as it is rumored that Killick proposes to bombard the city. The contest at the Cape will no doubt be a bitter one, as the men at the head of the opposing armies are both old men, are bitter enemies, and, as each has the prestige of having never suffered defeat, neither will succumb to the other without a severe struggle. All eyes are turned toward the Cape. More attention is being paid to the coming events there than to the new government set up at Gonaives by Mr. Firmin. If General Nord Alexis succeeds in defeating General Jumeau, it again brings him prominently before the people as a Presidential candidate; if the reverse takes place, there is a possibility of a long civil war, or of two republics being established, one in the north under Mr. Firmin, the other in the south under someone not yet named. Again, if General Nord should be successful, it will presage the downfall and possible capture of the Firmin government; if, on the other hand, General Jumeau should win, he, flushed with victory, would remove the theater of war here. Hence the anxiety of all.

The Provisional Government is now preparing for the latter event. They have sent large supplies of arms and ammunition to the north for General Nord and are at the same time perfecting the defenses of the city by erecting barricades, building intrenchments, and strengthening the forts that command the entrance to the city from the north, and the latter are being supplied with rapid-firing guns from the arsenal, so that a battle, if fought here, will be at the entrance to the city, and possibly in the city.

Mr. Firmin instituted his new government yesterday (August 4) under the title of the “provisional government of the Artibonite and the northwest,” and has named the following cabinet:

  • Mr. Henriquez, secretary of foreign affairs and public worship.
  • Vice-Admiral Killick, secretary of war and marine.
  • Mr. Chicoye, secretary of the interior and police.
  • Mr. Bourand, secretary of finance and commerce.
  • Mr. St. Louis, secretary of public works.
  • Mr. Lamour, secretary of state for agriculture and public instruction.

His capital is to be Gonaives.

The Chamber of Delegates have not yet been able to fully organize. Their whole time has been occupied to arrive at a solution of the pending election contest. Though in session nearly a week but two of the eight contests have thus far been settled. At the present rate of progress they will not be able to organize before some time in September, as I have stated in previous dispatches. If the one side gains a slight advantage the other side leaves the Chambers, thus breaking a quorum and suspending all business. They will not meet then for a day or two. This same scene will be reenacted when the election for the new members of the Senate occurs. So far Mr. Pierre seems to be in the lead, he having on the last vote, taken yesterday, 45 for his contestee, 21 against him (Fouchardist), and 3 not voting, but this can not be taken as an indication that in the end he will be successful. From all indications I do not believe a President will be elected very soon. Due credit must be given to the people. Notwithstanding the pending crisis all classes are remaining quiet during the ordeal they are passing through.

I have received certain propositions from the consular corps at the Cape, also a note from Commander McCrea, for the diplomatic corps to present to the Provisional Government. As a member of that body I have declined to present it or to interfere between the factions, as it would still more complicate the situation, and would result in more harm than good. I invite the attention of the Department to the same.

Taking the situation as a whole, the condition of affairs is no better than when my last dispatch was forwarded to Department. The D’Assas (French cruiser) will leave early next week, and will be replaced by the flagship under the Admiral, who has received orders from his Government to proceed here to protect the interests of French citizens. There is an armed tranquility in all other places except those stated above.

I have, etc.

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Livingston to Mr. Powell.

Sir. The accompanying memorandum by Captain McCrea is so well written that I decided to inclose it as an expression of the result of a talk between himself and myself yesterday. Later, aboard the Machias, a majority of the consuls being present, we concluded to suggest to you to cooperate with the other members of the diplomatic corps there and submit to the Provisional Government, in the interest of peace and civilization, the following propositions:

1.
A new election of Deputies.
2.
A conference of the leading men on both sides aboard a war ship (if necessary) and the selection of some neutral, unarmed locality for the election of a President by the Deputies recently named.
3.
The submission of a proposition by the Provisional Government.

We believe the people are reluctant to fight and would hail with joy some such solution of the present difficulty. It is needless for me to add that there is no desire on the part of anyone concerned in the submission of these propositions to encroach upon the functions of the diplomatic corps, our action being based upon the great [Page 624] interest displayed by Captain McCrea and his special facilities for rendering assistance in the premises. You will please cable the result of your interview with the Government.

I am, etc.,

Lemuel W. Livingston.

P. S.—Of course the second proposition is to be submitted only in case the first is rejected and the third in case the second is rejected.

[Subinclosure.]

Memorandum.

My Dear Mr. Powell: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit the earth.” At a conference to-day between the governor, General Nord, and Captain McCrea and myself, arrangements were completed for safeguarding the persons and property of foreigners. We have also evolved what might entitle you to the blessedness above referred to. It is as follows: If you can get the Government at Port au Prince to agree to another election for Deputies, then wire General Nord, Captain McCrea will undertake (with permission from the home Government) to run down to Gonaives and sound the Firmin contingent. Captain McCrea agrees with me that we Americans should take the first steps in this matter. Now for news. Intercepted dispatches show that Firmin’s army has left Gonaives for the north. The consignment of arms and ammunition arrived safely and seem to put much confidence in the local army.

The Machias has been at Colon for about four months; her men are debilitated and the captain is most anxious to move north; hence anxious to hurry some solution to this mixed problem.

[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Livingston.

Sir: I have your favor of August 1,1902, containing as an inclosure a memorandum from Commander McCrea, of the Machias, in which it is suggested that the diplomatic corps submit certain propositions to the Provisional Government, with a view to solve the present political situation. These propositions the diplomatic corps do not feel willing to present, as it would be an unwarranted interference on their part, especially so as neither of the political factions have requested intervention and it would bring upon each member the censure of their respective Governments.

To the propositions themselves:

  • First. None of the various political factions desire a new election, and if another was ordered the result would be no different from that already held. To have a new election it would take at least a month or six weeks, and at the end no one would be satisfied with the result.
  • Second. The feeling is at such a tension at the present time that such a conference could not be held. What was ambition on the part of some of the candidates is revenge now; to gain power to punish their enemies. A neutral place or an unarmed locality for a meeting place of the Deputies named to elect a President is impossible to find, as there is at this time no neutral place. Each locality that might be named has its preference of candidates; and further, at the present moment there is not an unarmed community in the Republic. Here, at this moment, the lower house is holding its sessions. The Provisional Government has exerted no pressure upon the members; there are no armed guards in or near the Chambers, yet, thus far they have been unable to agree on a few contested seats, each claimed by two men. Even the delegates that attend these sessions are armed. So you can see how impossible it would be to submit such a proposition to the Government.
  • Third. Your third proposition is not clear. If it is meant that the Provisional Government should submit a proposition, it would be rejected by the others, simply because the present Government proposed it.

It is a mistaken idea that the present Government has espoused the claims of any of the candidates or sought to influence the Deputies elect. They have held themselves neutral, and have not sided with any of the many candidates. It is for the [Page 625] reason that they have not done so that they are being blamed to-day by all the political factions.

The wisest course for the diplomatic corps is not to meddle in these troubles. It is a matter which concerns these people and not our corps. Our interest here is to protect those that have been confided to our care, and to see that our varied or respective interests are not disturbed. Further than this we have no right to go, except when the Government itself requests us to do so.

For our Government to interfere is a most delicate matter. Our mission would be misconstrued, not only by these people, but also by those of other nations who are represented here in the diplomatic and consular corps. * * * I feel that the course of action that I have marked out for our legation, of noninterference in their political matters, meets with the approval of the honorable Secretary of State, and it is such a course that I would advise all of our consular corps to follow—to do all we can for the benefit of the people, but not to interfere in those internal affairs in which they are so jealous. I note that Commander McCrea has sent to me a biblical quotation, but, thrice blest is that man that interferes not in the affairs of others and knows how to attend to his own business best.

Kindly remember me to Commander McCrea, and for the suggestions contained in his note, that, though fitted by education for warlike deeds, his ways tend to the paths of peace.

I am, etc.,

W. F. Powell.
[Inclosure 3.]

Commander McCrea to Mr. Powell.

My Dear Mr. Powell: I was sorry to learn that the diplomatic corps would take no steps, for I hoped you might at least open communication between the Provisional Government and Mr. Firmin’s adherents.

If the Crête comes in here, I shall board him and ask Killick to come and see me. Once he is on board I shall endeavor to ascertain what, if any, conciliatory terms Mr. Firmin is willing to offer. And I will use my influence to have his people call off the dogs of war, and have a meeting at Port au Prince with the other eligibles. The best we can hope for is a compromise. If anything of importance is developed, I will cable you and do my best to lend you a hand.

I can stay here about a week or ten days, possibly longer in case the coal on shore is serviceable, in which case I may buy it and wait developments. As a matter of fact, I do not think the lives and property of foreign subjects are endanged, no matter how the issue ends. I am not judging this from Colombian experience either, but from the well-known respect Haitians have for the powers, and the recent successful revolution in Santo Domingo, of which you saw so much.

My anxiety to assist in the solution of this very knotty problem is to carry out what I know to be the wishes of our Government; that we should be foremost in these endeavors goes without saying.

Wishing you every luck and success in your ticklish work,

I am, etc.,

Henry McCrea.

P. S.—Mr. Livingston was on board this morning. There is no news ashore. A division was sent out to meet the rebels, enough men being retained to control and defend this place. No excitement exists, and it seems as though most people would be glad to see all hands stop this and “play ball.”

[Inclosure 4.]

Mr. Powell to Commander McCrea.

My Dear Sir: I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favor of August 6 in reference to the political troubles here. In reply to your favor, you are not aware of the intense feeling against Mr. Firmin and against the Vice-Admiral Killick, nor of [Page 626] the bitter feeling that Mr. Firmin has for certain members of the present Government, notably General Nord Alexis. What was ambition on the part of Mr. Firmin at first, is now revenge toward those from whom he has suffered grave injuries. The other candidates who are outwardly supporting the present Government would not favor any proposition, unless such a proposition favored either the one or the other, so that any intervention on our part would simply complicate matters more.

Our best course is simply to watch events and take advantage of them as they unfold. You will note that neither of these parties has requested us to intervene, but each is endeavoring to have us side with them against the other. This we have refused to do. I think this is the course the Department would have me pursue. If you think you can bring about a different feeling between these people, no one would feel more happy than I, but at this moment I doubt very much that this can be accomplished.

There is not the slightest doubt that the people at large desire peace, but the office seekers and place hunters who are in control or seek to get control are the ones who are directing affairs at this moment.

As far as the lives and property of foreigners are concerned, there is little danger, except in case a fire should occur; then this class of property would suffer. In such an event no war vessel could aid us.

As far as a direct attack being made by the Haitians themselves, that, I think, need not be feared. The presence of a naval vessel in these waters is simply to give moral effect to the turbulent class, except in the case of Admiral Killick, whose blind partisanship is apt to go the extreme limit.

It is the opinion of my colleagues, as well as myself, that your presence at the Cape, and the D’Assas here, have prevented him from firing upon these cities. If Killick had no vessel, there would be no need of a foreign naval vessel in these waters. I think within the next few days this question will be solved one way or the other.

Here all is quiet.

I remain, etc.,

W. F. Powell.