Minister Furniss to the Secretary of State.
Port an Prince, February 2, 1906.
Sir: I have to inform you that I have it on good authority that at the meeting of the Haitian cabinet on the 22d instant a list consisting of twenty-five names was submitted for discussion, with a view to expulsion of the parties from Haitian territory. The list, which contained only names of foreigners, had many of prominence, including one who is a very large holder of Haitian securities. At the meeting mentioned final action was taken upon five, who, in accord with the decree dated the 22d and published in Le Moniteur, the official paper, on the 24th, must leave Haitian territory by the first available boat.
I have made inquiries and have gathered the following information relative to the parties who are ordered to leave:
Paul Sinai, French; has lived in Haiti some years, and was dealer in provisions until about four years ago.
W. Katsch, Austrian; has lived in Haiti some years. Twelve years ago was photographer in Port au Prince.
Herrmann Breneke, German; at one time German consular agent at Jeremie.
G. Marchard, French; for some years clerk in National Bank of Haiti.
——— Tomei, French; formerly of Port de Paix.
The French, German, and Austrian representatives have used every endeavor to delay the expulsion, but to the moment without avail. They have likewise insisted that, since some of the parties are entirely without means, the Haitian Government should supply the same.
They have requested that the different parties are allowed to embark for their respective countries or for points of their own choosing, but this has also been denied by the Government’s insisting that they leave by first boat, and that will sail for New York direct tomorrow, and is taking this dispatch.
They also mentioned the fact that our Government requires all aliens to have a fixed sum of money before permitting entrance, and that as some of these parties lack that sum the steamships will be forced to return them. To this no reply was made, as once on board a steamer they will not be allowed to land in Haiti again. It will be for the steamship company to provide ways and means.
[Page 870]So far as I can ascertain, no reason has been assigned by the Haitian Government for its action other than the fact that the parties to be expelled are said to be a menace to the Government.
I have made most careful inquiry as to each of the persons to be expelled. All agree that, while they may have from time to time spoken harshly of this Government, yet, having no following and being of such little importance, any one or all of them could not constitute a menace to any government. Be that as it may, it would seem at least that they should be informed for what reason, real or imaginary, they are to be expelled, instead of hiding behind the vague term of “foreigners who are prejudicial.”
In view of the fact that rumor has it that expulsion of the other seventeen of the original list is only held in abeyance until it can be seen what action, if any, the foreign powers will take as to the five now doomed to expulsion, and that the original list contained the name of at least one American, I now respectfully ask the department for instructions in case one of our citizens should be so summarily and arbitrarily dealt with.
I have, etc.,