File No. 2126/384–389.
Minister Furniss to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Port au
Prince, November 28,
1908.
No. 458.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith the
correspondence between the Haitian Government and this legation relative
to the matter of blockade and closing of the ports of Aux Cayes,
Jeremie, and Aquin, together with copies of the official decrees and
translations thereof relative to the said ports.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Furniss.
Department of State for Foreign Relations,
Port au Prince, November 20, 1908.
No. 351.]
Mr. Minister: Gen. Antoine Simon,
ex-delegate of the Government in the department of the south, having
raised the standard of rebellion at Aux Cayes, the Government of the
Republic, with a view of the prompt suppression of that rebellion,
has, by decree, a copy of which is inclosed herewith, declared the
port of the said city of Aux Cayes to be in a state of blockade.
In giving you the present notification for such action as may be
deemed proper, I take this occasion to renew, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]
Liberty.
Equality.
Fraternity.
Republic of Haiti.
Decree.
Nord Alexis, President of the Republic.
Considering that Gen. Antoine Simon, ex-delegate of the Government in
the department of the south, has raised the standard of rebellion at
Aux Cayes;
Considering that it is necessary, in view of a prompt suppression of
the rebellion, that all communication between that city and the
outside be stopped: Decrees:
- Article 1. The port of Aux Cayes
is declared in a state of blockade.
- Art. 2. The present decree shall
be published, printed, and executed at the diligence of the
secretaries of state of war and marine, and for foreign
relations, each in that which concerns him.
Done at the National Palace, at Port au Prince,
November 20,
1908, year 105 of the independence.
Nord Alexis.
By the President:
- The Secretary of State for War
and Marine,
C.
Celstin.
- The Secretary of State for
Foreign Relations,
Louis Borno.
[Inclosure
3.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Furniss.
Foreign Office,
Port au
Prince, November 25,
1908.
No. 356.]
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to inform
you that the Government of the Republic, in view of assuring the
prompt success of the military operations
[Page 442]
against the rebel cities of the department of
the south, has just issued two decrees against them, one declaring
the ports of the cities of Jeremie and Aquin in a state of blockade
and the other closing to commerce the two above-mentioned ports as
well as that of Aux Cayes.
In notifying you of these measures, for such action as may be deemed
proper, I profit the occasion, to renew, etc.,
[Inclosure 4.]
Minister Furniss to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
American Legation,
Port au
Prince, November 28,
1908.
No. 331.]
Sir: I am in receipt of your excellency’s
note No. 356 of the 25th instant informing this legation that your
excellency’s Government has, by decree, proclaimed the ports of
Jeremie and Aquin blockaded; and has also, by decree, proclaimed the
two ports mentioned, together with Aux Cayes, closed to
commerce.
In reply to the first portion of your excellency’s note I have to say
that my Government will only recognize the blockade provided it is
properly promulgated and is effective; that is, provided it is
constantly “maintained by an adequate force sufficient to render
ingress to and egress from the ports dangerous.”
In reference to the decree closing these ports, my Government has
consistently refused to acknowledge the right of a Government to
close, by decree, ports which at the time of the decree are in the
hands of insurgents. At various times in the past this legation has
so informed your excellency’s Government, and no exceptions will be
made in the present case.
In addition to the above I have to inform your excellency that
indemnity may be claimed for losses sustained by reason of your
excellency’s Government refusing to clear vessels ladened with
American merchandise and bound for the said ports.
Your excellency will please accept, etc.,
[Inclosure 5.]
Minister Furniss to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
American Legation,
Port au
Prince, November 28,
1908.
No. 332.]
Sir: In reference to my note No. 331 of
this date, in order to avoid any misunderstanding, I desire to state
that the remarks made therein refer to American ships and to
American merchandise in American bottoms.
Your excellency will please accept, etc.,
