Mr. Powell to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, September 13,
1902.
No. 1158.]
Sir: I have the honor to state to the
Department that the political situation is gradually getting worse. As
it looks now there will be no election of a President for some time. As
I have predicted in previous dispatches, the two factions, or parties,
have agreed to disagree, and bad blood is being aroused between them,
which at any moment is apt to burst forth and destroy the town. This is
not only the case here, but seems to permeate throughout the whole
section south of this place, or what is known as the southern peninsula.
The Provisional Government does not seem to be able to establish
confidence, and is getting weaker daily.
Since my last dispatch there has been but one meeting of the Chambers of
Deputies, and, like the preceding one, it ended in nearly a stampede.
This occurred through an effort of the majority to secure an advantage
over the minority. In this manner, after a week’s trial, a quorum was
secured to enable them to elect, or to proceed to elect, the remaining
members of the Senate. On the opening of the Chambers a motion was made,
after the reading of the minutes, to suspend the order oi the day and to
proceed to complete the Provisional Government
[Page 656]
(cabinet) by electing the president of the
Chambers, the Hon. R. Deetzen, and the two secretaries, as members of
the cabinet, to take the portfolios of the ministers who resigned at the
time that General Firmin constituted a government at Gonaives, the
chairman and the secretaries being members of the “Senèque party.” This
party has a majority in the Chambers and could have elected them if this
motion could have come to a vote. By the election of these persons it
would have given to the “Senèque party” full control of the present
Government, each candidate being a man of an aggressive and determined
spirit. Through this new element to the present Government they believed
they could solve the present troubles by electing Mr. Pierre as the
President, using force if necessary to do so. After succeeding in
electing these officers to the cabinet they were to keep the Chambers in
continuous session until they had completed the Senatorial elections.
Their third plan was to declare the seats of those who absented
themselves without leave to be vacant and to elect others in their
places, all of whom (it is supposed) would have been of the same
political faith as the present majority. This would insure to them at
all times a quorum to do business and to elect a President. Their plan
as further developed was, as soon as there was a quorum the doors were
to be closed and locked; the military and police were to quietly
surround the building to see that none of the delegates left until this
object was accomplished. The plan came very near being carried into
effect. The minority party (Fouchardists), to the first course of this
procedure argued that the proposed measure of making the officers of the
Chambers a part of the executive department was illegal, claiming that
the constitution provided that the executive and legislative bodies
should be separate and independent powers. While this argument was
taking place the soldiers were quietly being placed around the building.
A soldier, it is stated, dropped his gun, causing it to discharge. The
members rushed to the doors, and finding them closed and locked they
then went to the windows, and seeing the soldiers, gave the alarm that a
trap had been set for them by the majority. The alarm spread and, like
the 12th of May last, the session was broken up, many of the members
escaping through the windows on the side of the building where the sold,
soldiers had not yet been placed. The doors were then opened, and those
who had not made their exit were allowed to leave. The soldiers were
then returned to their quarters. This, as I have stated, has engendered
bad feeling between the two parties, the Fouchardists and the
Senèqueists, the former charging the latter with bad faith in their
effort to obtain an unfair advantage.
Since then the Fouehard members have refused to attend. Unless an
agreement can be patched up no more Senators will be elected,
consequently there will be no election of a President.
The party in the north, led by General Nord Alexis, state they are
compelled to do all the fighting; that no one from here seems to come to
their assistance. So trouble is brooding there. From reports received
from that section, General Nord has been again defeated and was
compelled to return to the Cape. A movement was started here last week
to depose General Canal, upon the ground that he was too old to conduct
affairs, and that there should be a younger and more vigorous man as the
executive, but it seems to have failed.
News reached us to-day by the French steamer from Gonaives of the
destruction of the Crête. This is the first
direct news to reach us.
[Page 657]
It is
reported that the Panther reached there about 12
m. on September 6. On her arrival she signaled the Crête to surrender, and fired one shot; that she had five
minutes to do so. Most of the officers and men had shore leave, and were
not on the vessel. Killick, the day previous, had had an operation
performed and was in bed at his home. On hearing the report of the
cannon he hastily dressed and with the officers and crew rowed to the
Crête. In the meantime a delay had been
granted by the German captain to consider his demand. Killick, on
reaching the deck of the Crête, saw that it was
useless to fight, so -ordered the officers and crew ashore, and at the
same time directed three kegs of powder, some large cartridges and a can
of kerosene oil to be placed in his room. After most of the men had left
the ship Killick retired to his cabin with two men. The last thing he
was seen to do was to light a cigar, fire this train, and take a seat in
a chair, dressed in his uniform. Before the boats could reach the shore
an explosion was heard; the rear portion or officers’ quarters of the
ship was destroyed. A few minutes thereafter the Panther, which was within easy range of the Crête opened fire, and continued until the last shot entered
her magazine. The Crête careened on her side from
the shock and was soon a wreck. There is a difference of opinion as to
the number of shots; the German officers state that thirty were fired.
General Firmin in his proclamation states fifteen. It is also stated as
the boats were leaving the Crête the Panther fired upon them to sink them. Some of
these balls struck the boats, but all escaped to the shore. At 4 p.m.,
the Crête being destroyed, the Panther steamed out of the harbor. Signals were made by the
German residents requesting her to remain to protect them, as the
streets of the city were filled with a maddened crowd at the time,
crying “Kill the Germans,” “Kill the whites,” but the Panther paid no heed to them, as she continued on her
course.
The next day the blackened corpse of Killick was found floating near the
Crête (the other five have not yet been
found). It was brought ashore and buried with military honors.
One of the papers at Gonaives publishes the last orders given by General
Firmin to Killick in regard to taking the arms from the Markomania, in which it is stated that Commander
McCrea called and remained an hour with Mr. Firmin, and communicated to
him that he had the right to seize the arms and ammunition found in any
neutral merchant vessel; that the American Government was absolutely
satisfied with his (Firmin’s) attitude; that it would be neutral; that
it would not prevent them from taking contraband of war from a merchant
vessel destined for the Cape, etc. Acting upon this information as to
the attitude of our Government toward him, he (Firmin) issued the orders
to Killick to take the arms from this vessel. This statement, taken in
connection with the action of the German naval vessel, has completely
dazed the people here, some stating that we have been acting with bad
faith toward the legal Government in giving this advice to Mr. Firmin to
encourage him in the position he had taken against the Provisional
Government. The feeling throughout the Republic is very bitter toward
the Germans. Placards have been affixed on the doors of many of the
German houses calling upon all Haitians who love their country,
irrespective of party or faction, to arise and avenge the death of
Killick by any means in their power. What is to be the result of this no
one can predict. On the Panther,
[Page 658]
before leaving for St. Marc, Gonaives, and
the Cape with Mr. Francksen, the German chargé d’affaires, a telegram
was received, it is stated, from the Emperor commending the officers and
crew for their good work in redressing the insult to the German flag.
Word has reached us that the Panther arrived at
St. Marc on the afternoon of the 10th and remained there over night; the
next morning entered the harbor of Gonaives; the charge, going ashore,
visited the German consul; while there and in going and returning the
Panther covered the shore with her guns. He
remained but fifteen minutes and returned to the ship. It is also
reported that his reception on shore was not very pleasant. The vessel
then left for the Cape, where she is at this writing. She is expected to
return on the 14tn.
As soon as the news reached Santiago the D’Assas
(where she was coaling) left immediately to return here, only receiving
half the quantity of coal she expected to take.
I have not had the opportunity to translate the account in the papers, so
I have been compelled to inclose them without translation.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Republic of Haiti—Antenor Firmin, President
of the Executive Council.
PROCLAMATION.
To the People and the
Army:
The infamous Government of Portau Prince continues its ill-omened
work.
It has so far excited the foreign governments against our cause that
it has finally led the German cruiser to bombard in our harbor of
Gonaives the gunboat Crête-à-Pierrot that was
anchored there.
Our vessel, taken by surprise, was not able to defend itself; Admiral
Killick has immortalized himself in blowing it up. He has met the
death of the brave.
Boisrond Canal and the anti-patriots who surround him will render an
account of that action before history.
Never would the foreigner have thought to act so brutally toward us
without the request of that man, who wished to avenge himself thus
for the seizure, regularly made by us, of the arms and ammunitions
sent to his accomplices at the Cape on the steamship Markomannia.
Haitians, shame to those who, forgetting their duty due the country,
call on foreigners to disgrace it.
The fifteen cannon shots fired on the Crête-à-Pierrot, already on fire, instead of shaking my
courage, have strengthened it.
I shall remain at the height of my duties.
Dessalines, illustrious founder of our independence, and thou Potion,
and thou Capoix, braver than death itself, your sublime souls soared
silently over this generous city of Gonaives during that act of
iniquitous aggression.
But I swear with the brave citizens and soldiers who surround me to
preserve the national honor entire.
Live Admiral Killick!
Live the heroes, founders of the national independence!
Live the institutions!
Live the Haitian nation!
Given at the national palace at
Gonaives, September 6, 1902, the ninety-ninth year
of the independence.
A. Firmin.
[Page 659]
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Republic, of Haiti.—Order of the
day.
To the People and the
Army:
Citizens and Soldiers: On Tuesday, the 2d
instant, Gen. Antoine Malvoisin carried by assault Fort Route Nègre,
in the arrondissement of Mirebalais, and has forced Théo Dupiton,
the delegate of the triumvirate of Fort au Prince, to take flight,
abandoning arms and ammunition. Five prisoners were taken that day
and conducted to this city.
As if the word had been given, the next day, Wednesday, at 9 o’clock
in the morning, on the side of the Cape, Gen. Nord Alexis directed
in person another attack against the village of Limbé. The enemy has
paid dearly for his foolish temerity. Esmangart Emmanuel, the chief
of the first division, has fallen on the field of battle, as well as
other generals. Their bodies, and some arms and ammunition, have
been abandoned by the fugitives, while Gen. Nord Alexis was only
able to save himself, thanks to the rapidity of his flight.
We have taken from the enemy a cannon, guns, and ammunition, with
nine prisoners of war, who have been conducted to and confined in
this city.
On the other part, Admiral Killick, our councilor of the departments
of war and marine, has seized, on the 2d of September, in the waters
of the Cape, 500 Gras guns, 20,000 cartridges, and 25 kegs of
powder, sent from Port au Prince, in contraband, on the Markomannia.
On the Mont-Rouis line Gen. Camner Estime Jean Baptiste watches and
displays all the energy and devotion that characterize him. The
enemy dares not attack him.
Citizens and soldiers, let us render homage to Admiral Killick and to
the officers of the Crête-à-Pierrot, to the
valorous Gens. Ney Pierre, Albert Salnave, Laborde Corvoisier,
Malvoisin, Macomhe, Catabois, and their other companions of war.
They have merited the fatherland.
Live order!
Live liberty!
Live national independence!
Live the unity of the Haitian family!
Given in our hotel at
Gonaives, September 5 1902, the ninety-ninth year of
the independence.
Darius Bourand,
Councilor of the Departments of Finance and of
Commerce, Encharged, Ad Interim, with the Departments of the
Interior and, General Police.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Miot to Mr.
Powell.
Consular Service, United States of
America,
St.
Marc, September 11,
1902.
Sir: I have before me your favor of the
31st ultimo. You know already, without doubt, the loss of the Crête-à-Pierrot in the harbor of Gonaives,
but you do not know, perhaps, the death of Admiral Killick, who has
blown up the steamer and himself.
Last night the German steamer Panther entered
this port, passed all the night here, and left this morning at 6
o’clock. We have no other news of the interior.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 4.]
Mr. Woël to Mr.
Powell.
Consular Service, U. S. Agency,
Gonaives, September 8, 1902.
Sir: I have to advise you that on Saturday,
6th instant, at 12.30 p.m., the German ship Panther anchored this harbor. Immediately she hoisted the
German flag with several signals, and fired a shot which meant, “I
give you five minutes to surrender, or I sink you.”
[Page 660]
The Crête-à-Pierrot could not answer the
signals because everyone of her crew were on shore.
In the meantime Admiral Killick and all his men went back on board.
The five minutes having gone, the German ship began to fire. The Crête-à-Pierrot had no steam up, and Admiral
Killick, seeing everything was lost, blew up a part of his ship. The
German ship continued to fire till 4 p.m., when the whole Crête-à-Pierrot totally blew up.
As soon as this was done, the German ship Panther went off without acknowledging our signals, which
meant that we were all threatened with death. The mob, running in
all the streets, shouted “Down with the white men, specially with
the foreigners.”
I dare say that all the foreigners will be put to death if any action
is taken against this town. We are not quite safe here, but I went
to see Mr. Firmin, and he promised me that no harm will be done to
us, and that he will send some soldiers to protect this agency,
should anything happen. The action of the commander of the German
ship has been very hard for Haiti. We all thought that a delay might
be given by the German ship.
Mr. A. Firmin called upon the consular body to see what could be done
on that occurrence, but Ave had no time—the German commander began
to bombard. He did not even give time to a Norwegian steamer, which
was loading here, to get away from her shots.
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of
September 6, together with the inclosed letters, which have been
forwarded.
My political refugee has left. Mr. Firmin gave him a safe
conduct.
It is rumored in town that the Panther will be
back in a few days. Could you not see the German chargé d’affaires
and ask him to postpone the visit? People here are very excited.
This will be a favor bestowed on all the foreigners.
I remain, etc.
P. S.—The foreign officers of the Crête-à-Pierrot leave to-night by the French steamer
St. Simon.
Mr. Firmin has paid their passages back to Europe through this
consular agency.
[Inclosure 5.]
Mr. Sarthou,
private secretary to Admiral Killick, to
Mr. Terres, vice-consul-general
at Port au Prince.
Gonaives, September 9,
1902.
Dear Doctor: I know that you have already
given the girls the fatal news of the Crête-à-Pierrot. Saturday, September 6, the German
man-of-war Panther came in the harbor of
Gonaives, where we were anchored for the last four days. They
hoisted signals for us to take down the Haitian ensign and to
surrender. I immediately went on board to see the captain. He told
me that he received orders from Emperor William to take the ship, as
we were pirates seizing German arms. I told him that the German
consul was coming on board to see him. He then made me to understand
that he had nothing to do with any consul, nor any government, and
that as soon as I arrived on board, I was to take down the flag and
send the crew ashore, and if that was not done, in five minutes time
he would commence to fire on the Crête-à-Pierrot. The admiral arriving on board, hearing
such news, judge how he must have felt—a man who the day before was
put under chloroform to have his finger operated on. Seeing himself
defenseless, unable to make any resistance, he decided to put the
crew on shore and blow up the ship. Seeing a German boat approaching
with armed men to take possession of the ship, he bid adieu to the
officers, entered his cabin, and blew up the afterpart the ship.
The Germans seeing what occurred, returned to their ship, and a short
time after amused themselves in firing at the ship already in
flames. They even fired a few shots at the boats while they were
going ashore.
I must say that yesterday a part of a body was found; this is
supposed to have been the admiral’s. The funeral took place at 4,
outside the church. We are all saved except Dr. Coles and two
stewards.
Hoping to be back as soon as possible, I am,
[Page 661]
[Inclosure
6.—Translation.]
Antenor Firmin,
president of the executive council, to the counsellor of state of the war and
navy.
Republic of Haiti,
Gonaives, September 1,
1902.
Mr. Counsellor: I inform you that the
German ship Markomannia, coming from Port au
Prince, has embarked there arms and ammunition intended for Cape
Haitian. You will display all your skill and activity not only to
prevent the entrance of that ship into the harbor of the Cape, but
to stop her and conduct her into the harbor of Gonaives, unless she
prefers to deliver to you the said arms and ammunition, of which
there are 25 boxes of rifles, 25 boxes of cartridges, and 15 kegs of
powder.
The Markomannia will leave Gonaives this
evening at 5 o’clock and will be probably off the Picolet to-morrow
about 5 o’clock in the morning.
The point is to keep an eye on her in order that she may not have the
time to enter the great or little channel before your
appearance.
As soon as you see her you will proceed toward her at full speed,
firing a blank shot at her in order to stop her. If she does not
stop and tries to run away, you will fire a shot to make her
understand that you are decided to sink her, aiming so that the shot
shall fall near her without hitting her.
When the Markomannia shall stop under your
guns, you will send aboard a trustworthy officer who will ask for
her papers, which shall be examined.
If no mention is made in them of arms and ammunition, nor of any
cargo shipped for the Cape, the officer shall ask the captain of the
Markomannia to sign a declaration that
his vessel does not contain any cargo for the Cape, still less arms
and ammunition, advising him that after he shall have signed that
declaration you must search carefully all the compartments of the
vessel.
If he declares that he has in fact arms and ammunition for the Cape,
or if you happen to find them in consequence of your strict search,
you will propose to him the alternative either to deliver to you the
arms or ammunition, after which you will permit him to enter into
the Cape for cargo, or to be taken to Gonaives by a prize crew in
case he should not deliver the arms and ammunition.
It is possible that the Cincinnati, American
man-of-war, actually in the roads of the Cape, having heard cannon
shots, may go out for the purpose of intervening.
In that case, you will courteously point out to the commanding
officer that you have duly submitted to Commander McCrea the
instructions which I have issued to you for the blockade of the
harbor of the Cape, which is not a maritime blockade exactly, but a
de facto blockade; that is to say, that we do not intend to paralyze
the coming in and going out of the innocent merchant vessels, but
that desiring rather to favor and protect the interests of the
neutrals, the blockade is intended to prevent the introduction into
the Cape of the contraband of war.
The commander of the Machias, whom I had the
honor to receive here on August 29, and who conversed with me for
nearly one hour, declared to me that after having been advised of
the instructions in the form of a memorandum which I sent to you, he
telegraphed the American Government, which declared itself
absolutely satisfied with our attitude. This amounts to saying that
the Government of Washington, desirous of preserving a strict
neutrality, does not undertake to prevent us from stopping merchant
vessels which may venture to transport articles contraband of war
consigned to Cape Haitien.
In virtue of that declaration, you will invite the commanding officer
of the Cincinnati to select one of his
officers, who shall be present at the search which you will make in
the compartments of the Markomannia, where,
in all probability, will be found the arms and ammunition above
mentioned. It is certain that if those articles, which are
unquestionably contraband of war, are found aboard the Markomannia, the Cincinnati will not do anything to prevent you from
exercising your rights. In case that, after close search, you should
not have found any trace of arms or ammunition, shipped for the
Cape, you will let the Markomannia enter, as
in the case of any neutral merchant vessel carrying innocent
cargo.
In either case you will not forget to use the most graceful courtesy
toward the commanding officer of the Cincinnati, who, without doubt, entertains the same views
as Commander McCrea, of the Machias; that is
to say, is ready to observe toward us the rules of war and to show
an impartial neutrality, as long as our actions shall not show any
intention of harming the interests of the American nation or of any
other neutral nations.
Please accept, etc.,
[Page 662]
[Inclosure
7.—Translation.]
The councilor of state in the
tear and navy departments to the president of the executive council,
Gonaives.
Bay
of Port Margot, September 2, 1902.
President: You have, in your instructions
relating to the arrest of the Markomannia,
recommended to me skill and activity. You have honored me in
believing that I possessed those two qualities. My conduct will say
whether I have succeeded in justifying your confidence. I have
displayed in that affair all the courtesy and all the energy of
which I was capable, and the success which has crowned my efforts is
worth the trouble.
The Markomannia, almost without protest,
stopped on our hail. She acknowledged without any difficulty that
she brought arms to the Cape, but under the pressure of the envoys
of Port au Prince, who accompanied the arms and ammunition,
pretended to refuse to surrender them. We then fired a cannon shot
with ball, taking care, as you recommended, that the shot did not
reach her.
On that energetic manifestation the commander allowed his vessel to
be visited, and even indicated where could be found the arms and
ammunition. The transshipment was made rapidly, and at this moment I
have on board nearly 500 Gras rifles, 20 boxes of cartridges, and 25
kegs of powder. I state with pleasure that this fortunate capture
not only deprives the enemy of his arms, but further permits us to
arm the unarmed persons in our ranks. If in putting in practice your
wise counsel I have been able to reach so fortunate a result, what
compliment should I not pay to Pierre Frederioue and Fernand Pennia,
who, improvising themselves naval officers, went on board the Markomannia to represent me? It is, thanks to
their intelligent devotedness and to their zeal above all praise,
that things passed so quietly; that the Cincinnati, near us, on the roads of the Cape, did not
know what was going on beyond the Picolet. Nevertheless, after the
arms and ammunition were brought on board the Crête, and while the commanding officer of the German
vessel was conversing with us in our mess room, the longboat of the
German company, with an officer of the Cincinnati, came in. The officer, while contesting our
right of prize in the name of his commanding officer, asked me not
to leave, and to keep the arms and ammunition seized on the deck
until the arrival of the Cincinnati. I
pointed out to him that my mission had closed, and that if the
American vessel have need of me he would find me in the bay of Port
Margot. Those explanations seem to have sufficed to him, for he went
away directly. I should be happy to have your instructions
concerning the course I should pursue toward the Cincinnati in case she should come and find me at Port
Margot. As far as I am concerned, I am decided, considering our
evident weakness, if the American vessel should take measures of
coercion, to blow up the Crête after having
disembarked the crew.
You may believe, President, as I told you above, the greatest
courtesy, added to my usual activity, has not a single moment ceased
to exist in the settlement of that affair.
The crew of the Crête-à-Pierrot has greatly
seconded, by its correct conduct, the accomplishment of the delicate
mission which you have intrusted us with and which has succeeded so
completely. They have crowned it by the cry, one hundred times
repeated, “Long live Firmin!”—that is to say, “Long live
Liberty!”
I have, etc.,
P. S.—Herewith copy of the certificate delivered by me to the
commanding officer of the Markomannia.—H.
K.
“I certify to have, on the morning of September 2, 1902, regularly
stopped, by firing two cannon shots of warning, the steamer Markomannia before the Picolet fort and less
than 3 miles from the shore. After having examined the vessel’s
papers and having made searches in the various compartments of the
vessel, the officer delegated by me found there 25 boxes of Gras
rifles, in all, 486 rifles; 20 boxes of cartridges, and 25 kegs of
powder, which I have seized as being contraband of war. At the
moment of the transshipment a box of cartridges fell in the sea.
Those arms and ammunition have been shipped at Port au Prince by the
Gen. Boisrond Canal.
After which, the Markomannia has been
permitted to continue her voyage.
