Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.
Port au Prince, October 7, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that the political situation is slightly improved from what it was when my last dispatch was written, as there is a slight prospect that within the next two or three weeks the political troubles in the section known as the Artibonite will [Page 671] possibly be adjusted, though at the present time hostilities are still going on. The friends of both parties are endeavoring to bring about a peaceable solution of the present difficulties, first, by a cessation of hostilities; secondly, by the appointment of a commission on the part of the Provisional Government and General Firmin to consider terms that would be honorable to both victor and vanquished.
I have received a letter from General Firmin, which, though vague in statement, shows a willingness to consider terms of conciliation. On its receipt I had an interview with the President, General Canal, and learned from him that he was willing to end this fratricidal contest, but he would not take the initiative, as he considered General Firmin an insurgent. I informed him that my Government would be glad to see this unfortunate condition of affairs ended, and trusted that each party would be magnanimous toward the other, and all lend themselves to restore the prosperity of the country instead of devastating it. At the same time I informed him that it was not the intention of my Government to intervene in their troubles, or to annex this Republic, as had appeared in several of the leading papers in the States, and that it trusted in the wise counsel of its leading men to bring about peace. He replied that his cabinet, as well as himself, would be willing to treat with General Firmin and desired to do so. I did not state to him that I had received a letter from General Firmin. I afterwards addressed a letter to General Firmin, stating if he desired to address or to communicate with the Provisional Government the services of our legation were at his disposal. I then requested the Hon. C. Fouchard and S. Pierre to call at our legation on different days, and suggested to them that the wisest course for each to pursue was to see the President and advise him to bring about an amicable arrangement in the interest of peace that would be honorable to all concerned. This each promised to do. * * *
I informed each at these interviews that my Government was absolutely neutral as to the candidature of either. All that it desired was to see a peaceable adjustment of the present political troubles and to see a President peacefully elected. As to who that candidate should be it had nothing to say. * * * Both thanked me for this expression, each stating in reply that if elected as President he would court a closer alliance with our Government than had been done in the past, and would rely upon the directing hand of our Government in shaping the future of the Republic, one of the candidates being a little more pronounced in this respect than the other. The President, as well as the two candidates named above, informed me that General Nord had written to each that he would not be a candidate for the Presidency.
Notwithstanding what each has stated, I do not believe the grave danger to be over, even if General Firmin should consent to terms of peace. The final struggle is yet to come between these two men, as each believes the Presidency to be within his grasp, and for this reason neither will give way to the other, I fear, without a bitter fight, which will take place here; yet, with the political situation cleared at the north, that may be considered as so much gained toward the end.
The Provisional Government daily exhibits greater weakness and inability to cope with the present situation. There are virtually but two men in the cabinet. General Nord Alexis, one of the members, is in the field in the north. The members of the cabinet here are the President, [Page 672] General Canal, who is also filling the following cabinet places: Secretary of foreign relations, war and marine (ad interim), justice, public worship, agriculture, and public works; Hon. Mr. Dennery, minister of finance and commerce, and Gen. St. Fort Colin, minister of the interior and police. He is also the commander of the arrondissement (military district which embraces this city).
The President, who has taken these several cabinet places upon himself, is 77 years old.
The events of the week are briefly told.
- First. No meeting of the Chamber of Deputies has been held.
- Second. The arrival of the German naval vessel Falke and the departure of the Vineta for St. Thomas and Europe. The German charge, Hon. Mr. Franksen, left with the Vineta for Gonaives to view the wreck of the Crête; was met there by the Falke and returned on her. She is to be stationed here for some little time.
- Third. The government has been busy during the week sending troops to the Cape and arranging to reenforce those who are to operate against St. Marc and Gonaives. In the early part there was dispatched from here 3,500 Remingtons, 250,000 rounds of ammunition, and several rapid-firing guns. With them were sent the two artillery instructors (foreigners).
I mentioned in my previous dispatch, No. 1175, the open letter of the Hon. R. Deetzen, requesting of the Government information in reference to the contract made for the purchase of arms and ammunition at the cost of $39,000, stating in his letter that the market value of the same was but $8,000. The secretary of finance in his reply states he had nothing to do with the contract except to draw the order, by the direction of the President, on the bank for one-third of the amount named ($39,000). Gen. St. Fort Colin states in reply that it was never considered at any cabinet meeting he attended, and he was not consulted in regard to making it, as the purchase of these guns, etc., did not come in his department. The denial of these members throws the whole responsibility of the contract on the President, General Canal.
I received a telegram from Mr. Siordet, manager of the Compangnie Haïtienne, requesting that a naval vessel be sent to Port de Paix to protect American interests there. I immediately cabled his request to the department. Since then I have received a letter from Mr. Abegg, our consular agent, stating that the Firminists who hold this place had detected a conspiracy to hand the same over to General Alexis, and had arrested many persons; others fearing arrest had fled to the consular agency for protection, and that he had secured permission for them to leave for Inagua.
No word has been received from the troops operating either against Limbé, Gonaives, or St. Marc; that is, the public knows nothing. What information the Government may have is not given to the public. All that is known is that one or two of the commandants are quarreling as to which is in command.
There are many other rumors afloat, but no reliance can be placed in them as to their truth. I stated, as I supposed on good authority, that General Jumeau was dead. Later I have been informed that such was not the case. It is unsafe to make a statement of an event, even when received on what is supposed to be good authority.
I have, etc.,