Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.
Port au Prince, September 27, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to state to the Department that the political situation remains unchanged, as stated in my last dispatch, No. 1171. The House of Deputies has not been able yet to secure a quorum to hold a session during the week. There have been plenty of rumors current, but when one attempts to have them confirmed he fails.
It was reported early in the week that Limbé had fallen into the [Page 667] hands of the troops under General Nord, but up to this writing the rumor has not been confirmed; in fact, subsequent events lead us to doubt the truth of the rumor on account of the reticence on the part of the Government to confirm the same. All that is known here is that General Nord made a third attempt to dislodge the troops of Mr. Firmin from this place and was seriously repulsed, losing heavily in men and officers. We have also been informed that troops have been sent from the Cape to Port de Paix, to capture that place, but we do not know the result. From the Firmin side we learn that his troops are deserting, that he is unable to recruit his army; as with the Provisional Government, the men are in hiding in the mountains, so, in order to bring them from their places of concealment he is having the women placed in prison, trusting by this means, as he thinks, to compel the men to leave their retreats in order to secure the release of their female relatives.
Placards are still being posted upon the residences and business houses of the Germans, notwithstanding the presence of two German naval vessels in these waters.
Mr. Fouchard, one of the candidates, has endeavored to have the Provisional Government offer terms of peace to Mr. Firmin and his friends, but President Canal, on the part of that Government, has replied that peace can only be secured by unconditional surrender, or that overtures must come from Mr. Firmin and not from the Provisional Government, so no further attempts can or will be made in this direction unless one side or the other reaps a substantial advantage in the present contest. I also understand that on Monday (October 29), a simultaneous attack is to be made on St Marc, Gonaïves, and one or two other strongholds now held by Mr. Firmin’s troops. The success of these movements may decide the future of the two parties. In the meanwhile the Government is hurrying reenforcements, arms, and ammunition to General Nord.
One of the events of the week was the attempt to capture the commandant, General Monplaisir, of one of the expeditions that is to operate against Gonaïves, by some of his officers, and to deliver him and the troops under his command to Mr. Firmin. Before the conspirators were able to carry their plan into execution the commander was made aware of it. The chief conspirator escaped but the others, including the man’s sons, who were with him, were immediately executed.
The death of Gen. Jean Jumeau appears to be confirmed, though the news is kept by Mr. Firmin from the people and the soldiers. His death will be a heavy blow to Mr. Firmin, as he (General Jumeau) had great influence with the people in that section as well as with the troops. When Mr. Firmin was compelled to leave the Cape he went to Gonaïves, and with the promised support of this man he instituted his present government.
The attempt to blockade the ports of Gonaives and St. Marc appears to have been a failure. A vessel was kept at each place for one or two days. I have since been informed that neither vessel has been there for a week, they being employed by the Government to carry reenforcements and ammunition to the Cape for General Nord. At the present time they are here and leave to-night. Their destination is the Cape.
An open letter has been addressed to President Canal and the two [Page 668] members of his cabinet, calling their attention to a contract made by the Government, to which I referred in my No. 1171, of September 22, in which the writer (Hon. R. E. Deetzen, president of the Chamber of Deputies) states the Government has made a contract in Germany for 2,000 Remingtons and 400,000 cartridges, paying for the same $39,000; that these guns cost in Hamburg $2 each, and the cartridges $10 a 1,000, the actual cost of which would be $8,000. He desires to know about the difference, $31,000, or in other words, what has been done with it.
It is also stated to-day that the German naval vessel Falke will take the place of the Panther in these waters. This vessel has left for Venezuela. The Vineta is to leave Monday.
I have, etc.,