File No. 2126/46.
Minister Furniss to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, January 17, 1908.
Mr. Furniss reports that the Haitian Government has formally notified the Diplomatic Corps that St. Marc and Gonaives are decreed blockaded and that he has replied that the blockade will be recognized according to international law. Says the consular agent at Gonaives reports the fall of that town, which is in full control of the revolutionists, without bloodshed, and that the Government officers who were in command of the district have taken shelter at [Page 426] the United States consular agency, the revolutionists refusing permission for them to embark. Mr. Furniss states that the Haitian Government will doubtless send a naval vessel to bombard, and that an attempt to take the town will result in loss of life and property. Adds that the French minister has cabled for a man-of-war to come at once, and expresses the opinion that the situation does not warrant a man-of-war at the present time, although there may be necessity at a moment’s notice, there being great-uneasiness.