Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1902

Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, August 29, 1902.

No. 1146.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the political situation remains about the same as when my last dispatch, No. 1141 of August 20, was forwarded.

There are many rumors current. I have endeavored to trace their truth, but it is almost futile. As fast as I trace one out another presents itself. It is rather difficult to secure correct news, as we are cut off from all communication with the northern section of the Republic by the cutting of the wires between Gonaives and here by the partisans of Mr. Firmin on the one hand, and by a decree issued by him which prohibits all consular agents communicating with their legations here, which has debarred us from receiving information from that source. On the other hand, the Government refuses to permit the daily papers to publish anything in reference to the present condition of affairs. From the Cape I can hear nothing, as Mr. Livingston fails to keep me informed of passing events occurring there. I can therefore only state a few of the rumors that may have a basis of truth; I can not vouch as to how correct they may be. One, that Commander McCrea, with the archbishop at the Cape, had induced Gen. Nord Alexis and the Hon. A. Firmin to come to an agreement by which Mr. Firmin was to receive a certain sum of money for the loss he had sustained. He was then to leave the country and return to France, and that a meeting for this purpose was to be held on the Machias; that in the meanwhile a truce had been agreed upon pending the time such a meeting was to be held. This statement could not have been true, as it has since been stated that fighting was going on near the Cape. On making inquiry of the Government they informed me that they knew nothing of it. Another, that our consul, Mr. Livingston, with Commander McCrea, had arranged a meeting on the Machias, where it was expected all the candidates for the Presidency would be present; also the President of the Provisional Government, General Canal. Lastly, that the former vice-admiral, Killick, had offered to give the Crête to the Provisional Government upon the payment to him of $75,000 gold.

We have received news to-day, through the kindness of the manager of the French Cable Company, that severe fighting had occurred at Limbé, and was still in progress; that the loss of life was great on both sides; that Limbé and Marmalade had been destroyed by the troops of General Jumeau. It was not stated which side was the victor. One of the peculiar features of this conflict is that as soon as the defeated army finds that it is compelled to leave a place, it at once places a torch to it. The only ones who suffer are the inhabitants, and they are the ones who are friendly to the side that fires the town.

In the interior villages or towns there are no foreign residents, so foreign interests do not suffer. From late information from Gonaives, Mr. Woël, our consul there, informs me by special post that the Hon. A. Firmin has issued a decree whereby foreign consuls are not allowed to communicate with their legations here, so that it is a hard matter to receive news from there. In all other sections of the Republic there is a feeling of unrest. There has been no open demonstration, as all fear that the fate of Petit Goave awaits them.

The Provisional Government has sent unofficially to me to know the views of my Government concerning a contemplated blockade on their part of Gonaives, St. Marc, and Port au Paix. I have answered them unofficially that my Government would not recognize a simple declaration of blockade, or what might be termed a blockade on paper. A blockade to be efficient must be sustained by a sufficient physical force to prevent a vessel from entering the port. Such a blockade, on account of the physical force represented there, and providing due and timely notice was given, would be respected, but not otherwise, by my Government. If they had not this force it would be unwise for them to attempt it. Finding our Government would not approve of it, they have abandoned the idea.

The Provisional Government has also sent a commission consisting of two persons to request that I would act as mediator between the Government and that represented by Mr. A. Firmin, and endeavor to arrange a settlement of the present political troubles, and to stop a further effusion of blood. I have replied that with the consent of my Government I would enter upon this difficult task, but I would not do so until an official request had been made to me by the Provisional Government, and not then until those who were candidates for the Presidency had settled their differences and agreed upon a plan of action. That I could not enter upon a task as difficult as this appeared unless all the candidates here would come to some agreement as to which of their number they should elect. I would have nothing to say; they would have to settle that among themselves. Again, there would have to be on their part, as well as on the part of the other party, certain concessions, and I hoped, if I should accept this task, they would respond to the advances made by the opposite party in order to bring this unfortunate condition of affairs to a close. In making this statement I considered I would be acting in accord with Department’s desires.

In accordance with these suggestions, the two candidates (Messrs. Fouchard and Pierre), with 5 members from each of their respective parties in the House of Delegates, met with the Provisional President, General Canal, and his cabinet, at the residence of the latter, and formulated an agreement among themselves by which it was agreed that both sides would join forces and with their combined strength proceed to an election of the members of the Senate. It was also agreed that Mr. Fouchard should elect from his side 14 members, and Mr. Pierre 25 members, making in all 39, which is the number that constitutes the Senate. This arrangement, as will be seen, takes Mr. Fouchard from the list of Presidential candidates, from which he withdraws for certain other considerations. His total strength under this agreement would be but 40 votes (26 in the House of Delegates and 14 in the Senate). This arrangement, though, does not give to Mr. Pierre the surety of election, as he has at present 38 votes in the House of Delegates, and by this arrangement 25 votes in the Senate, or in all 63 votes, which are 5 short of the constitutional number required to elect. Under the present arrangement each candidate would have:

Number of members, House of Delegates	95
Number of members, Senate	39
Total number on joint ballot	134
Required vote to elect President	68
Vote pledged to Mr. Fouchard	40
Vote pledged Mr. Pierre	63
Vote pledged Mr. Firmin	20
Vote unpledged	11

It will be necessary for Mr. Pierre to secure 5 of these unpledged votes to win, while Mr. Fouchard would have to secure the whole of the Firminist vote and 8 of the unpledged vote to secure the coveted prize. Such is the present political situation regarding candidates.

It was thought after this conference that the members of the House of Delegates would immediately proceed to an election of Senators in accordance with this agreement. A few days thereafter the Chambers met and succeeded in electing one Senator. As they were preparing to elect the second a controversy arose between one of the Firminists and a member of one of the other parties. Revolvers were drawn, troops were hurriedly placed, and the factions of each party quickly placed themselves around their respective leaders. Cooler counsel finally prevailed, and a sanguinary contest was narrowly averted. As I have stated in previous dispatches, the present tranquillity is more apparent than real, as at any moment the city is liable to suffer from some hot headed adventurer. As a result of this affair of yesterday there was no session of the House to-day; consequently no further election of Senators was held.

It was the hope of many that after this agreement was made the election of the members of the Senate would be continuously held until all were elected, and a President of the Republic elected immediately thereafter, or as soon as the new members of the Senate could get to the capital and organize the Senate.

On account of the affair of yesterday and the reported conflict near the Cape, the question of mediation has been temporarily laid aside.

We are being unjustly or unfairly criticised in not taking more active steps to compel Mr. Firmin to recognize a request to allow an American citizen to land at Gonaives. Our critics state that if this person had been either a Frenchman or a German, a naval vessel would have been sent to enforce such a request, and cite the action of the present French minister (Mr. Desprez) in taking the D’Assas and going to succor the residents at Petit Goave. This matter may appear trivial to the Department, but we are losing the respect of these people, as well as of the foreign colony, and even of our own citizens, who think that I am lax in my duty in protecting American interests.

Aside from this affair of yesterday, all is quiet here. We have learned through the manager of the French cable that the Machias was to-day (August 29) at Gonaives and would leave there for Boston.

I have also been informed that the present Haitian minister at Washington, Hon. J. N. Léger, has sent his resignation to General Canal. The President has requested him to remain until a new President is elected.

I inclose certain matter that bears upon the subject matter of this dispatch.

I have, etc.,

W. F. Powell.

[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]

The Provisional Government, to the generals, members of the military delegation, operating against the Artibonite.

Messrs. Delegates: The Provisional Government, in making choice of you to direct the operations of the army against the Artibonite, has confided a mission the success of which will be worth to you and your troops the respect and gratitude of the nation.

Charged to combat that unjustified civil war, you are at the present hour soldiers of peace and of the national autonomy, because the insurrection of the Artibonite is undertaken to prevent the meeting of the National Assembly, and to dictate to the rest of the country the despotic will of a party, thus exposing the country to the worst calamities.

In the work of pacification that you are going to fulfill, you will have to display the fine qualities of courage and of tact that have gained for you the honor of being designated thereto by the Provisional Government.

You will not forget what sacred interests you have the keeping, as much on the side of your troops as on that of the adversaries. Every time that conciliation will be possible, and that the oppressed population wish to give up to your patriotic appeal, you will receive them as deluded brothers, reserving all your severity for the shameless leaders of that foolish war, and in leaving to the enemies the heavy responsibility of the devastation of properties by pillage and destruction by fire. Do not lose sight that you should give the greatest protection to families, both foreign and Haitians, and that fields and buildings generally should be severely respected by all.

The Provisional Government believes it to be its duty to remind you, Messrs. Generals, that the troops of the west have for objective to lend a hand to the valorous General Nord, member of the Provisional Government, and minister of war.

Therefore, as soon as it will be possible for you to put yourselves in relation with him, you will hasten to do so, exchanging with him your communications and your advice for the unification and the success of the army of the Republic.

You will hold to the honor of justifying the great renown which the troops, placed under your orders, possess.

The Provisional Government count on you for the reestablishment of peace and the maintenance of the most severe discipline in the ranks of the army.

Please acknowledge receipt of this present, and accept, etc.,

• Boisrond Canal.
• J. St. Fort Colin.
• Dennery.

[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]

Mr. Firmin to Mr. Powell.

Gonaives, August 18, 1902.

Honored Sir: Having had the honor to see you once at the American legation at Port au Prince, where I was presented to you by Mr. Brutus St. Victor, I have kept a most sympathetic souvenir of you. I will never forget how much I was captivated by your conversation, full of urbanity and loyalty.

All that you have said to me of your active desire to see Haiti place herself in a serious road to civilization, to the end of raising the reputation of our race, has remained engraved in my heart. Therefore, I can not doubt your sentiments of justice; and notwithstanding that which our enemies please themselves in writing to make it understood that you have given them all your sympathy, I think that having followed with intelligence and philosophy all the illegalities, all the injustices, and all the barbarous acts committed against me and my friends, and which has finally turned loose civil war in this unfortunate country, the nobleness of your heart will speak louder than the suggestions of those who have coalesced to stifle the spirit of liberty, of political morality, and of national regeneration that my numerous friends have manifested on all points of the Republic without exception to locality.

I beg you, therefore, to kindly transmit to His Excellency President Roosevelt a letter of an entirely private nature, that I have the honor to address to him, inclosed to you. I here employ your intermediary, as I have employed that of General Porter, United States ambassador to France, when in Paris I had need to write to the illustrious host who honors the White House and who presides so worthily over the destinies of the great American nation.

In causing my letter to reach its destination, you will render me a great service, and it is with all my heart that I thank you in advance.

Please accept, etc.,

A. Firmin.

[Inclosure 3.]

Mr. Powell to Mr. Firmin.

Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, August 21, 1902.

Sir: I have your favor, dated August 18, inclosing a letter to the President of the United States, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, with a request that I forward the same to him. You also call my attention to an interview that was held at our legation with the late secretary of foreign relations, the Hon. Brutus St. Victor, at which time I made certain statements in regard to the future welfare of this Republic, of its people, and my hopes as to its future, and to certain impressions that those remarks had made upon you. In reply to your favor I have the pleasure to state to you that I have forwarded your letter to President Roosevelt.

Your letter recalls to me the very pleasant interview that I had the pleasure to have with you. I regret, owing to my official connection with the Provisional Government as the representative of the United States, that there is a certain portion of your letter that I have not the privilege to discuss, especially that in which you mention the events that have led to the present deplorable state of affairs that confront this Republic at the present time.

If you will recall the subject matter of our conversation at this interview, I stated, as the representative of my Government here, that I would not espouse the cause of any of the candidates who aspired to the high office of the chief executive of this Republic; that I would hold myself absolutely neutral; that the choice of a President was a matter that should be left entirely to the free disposition of your citizens, and no member or members of the diplomatic corps should interfere.

Since that interview events have rapidly followed each other to such an extent that one section has entered upon a fratricidal war against the other.

As to the cause or causes that have led up to this state of affairs it is not for me to discuss. You are a better judge in regard to them than I. From the very high regard that I have formed of your character as one who has a great interest in this beautiful island, in a part of which your ancestors have erected a Republic in which not only yourself, but all connected with this race, should be proud, in this the ninety-ninth year of this Republic’s independence, an independence won through heroic deeds and by the blood of brave men, I adjure you, in the name of these men, in the name of your illustrious ancestors, to cause this strife to have an end.

Already one or two of your cities have felt the dire effects of this fratricidal war. If this continues, the same result will occur to other cities; much blood will be uselessly wasted; many a noble life destroyed, men that your country needs to assist it in that future development that I trust yet awaits this Republic.

Can you not for the sake of those noble heroes whose names are interwoven in your country’s history, for the great love you have for all that pertains to it, for the hope of its future greatness, will you not at this moment of its peril, with that nobleness of character that I believe you possess, arise and put an end to this war, a war that is impoverishing your treasury, sacrificing uselessly noble young lives, a class of men in which your country stands in dire need?

If you will do this, you will gain the hearts of your people, and in the world at large reach a higher honor and a greater name than you could receive as the President of this Republic.

I will be glad to render you any service that may be in my power, to place any communication that you may desire to make to the Provisional Government or to the diplomatic corps, to secure such an agreement that will be honorable to all. If I can thus aid you I will be most happy to do so and thus bring to an end the unfortunate state of affairs.

Accept, etc.,

W. F. Powell.