File No. 2126/351.
Minister Furniss to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, December 6, 1908.
Referring to your instructions, supplemental to-day. Was it intentional to exclude Dominicans and Cubans, who are without warships and have large interests and expect protection from the United States? The situation here is most peculiar. Simon is practically just chairman of the local committee on public safety, and before announcing his intentions awaits conference with Fouchard—expected to arrive from Jamaica to-morrow. It is said that Firmin and the other candidates will return immediately from exile. Haitian naval vessels in the harbor and under command of vice admiral refuse to obey instructions from Simon, and it is feared that they will go to north (most probably?) Cape Haitien, where (adhesion?) to Simon has not been expressed, and where local authority, who has large quantity of arms and ammunition, is also a candidate for the presidency.
The President of Haiti, who left here to-day, told Herald correspondent that he will return to Haiti, as he is still constitutional President. He would have following in the north, and assisting candidate there, could give much trouble. It seems very likely that the north will revolt against Simon should he become President or dictate the candidate. Should Simon and his party set up provisional government without the adherence of all Haiti, could I recognize it?