The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-22
INTERVIEW WITH LUPERON.

He Thinks Cabral Has Grown Rusty
His Great Idea OF Making Hayti md
Dominica One ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
for Crossing the Border-DOgged by
United states Spics-What the SANTANA
Bay Company May Expect.
LA COUPE, Hayti, April S, 1879.
have at last found Luperon and had a long
talk with him. The report was untrue that he had
started with an invading force for Dominican ter
ritory. He had simply made a reconnaissance of
the border, in company with another Dominican,
formerly an officer in the army. Since his return
Minister Curiel, Of the Baez Cabinet, passed
down the valley Of Monte Christi and spoke
to various meetings of the people, explain
ing the rental OF SANTANA Bay to an Amer
lean company, and broadly stating that
the United States government was identified with
the enterprise and committed to the protection OF
Dominican territory. The result OF Minister Curers
speeches to stir up strong feeling against the
government, and Luperon showed me a bundle OF
letters he had just received from Dominicans across
the border. requesting him to come along, as they
were ripe for revolution.
SKETCH OF LUPERON.
was surprised to find this well-known flibuster.
ing chief youthful in fact and appearance. He Is
but thirty-0ur years. that when he fought TO rid
Dominican soil Of the Spaniards over ten years ago
q prominent fighter in the ranks of the patriots
He is a well-built, sinewy man. OF five feet nine
inches, spare in the face, clear and honest
in the eye, wearing small mustache, and show
ing in his manner and conversation much self.
poise and decision. He was dressed in a suit OF
dark gray, heavy enough for the mountains above
us, but rather warm-looking in the valley with the
thermometer among the nincties The blood or
three races mingled in his composition. The out
line Of the face was indian, the hair decidedly
African and the features suggestivey Spanish. He
answered every question in pleasant, fluent way
and with an uncommon degree OF frankness.
had heard he was great horseman, SO we had q
trine of horse talk to start with. He said he once
rode the distance between santiago and Monte
Christi in six hours swimming the River Yauue
twice upon the way. I believe the road is about
one hundred and twenty miles. This ia hardly
credible.
WHAT LUPERoN THINKS OF cABRAL.
General" inquired "what are the relations
between You and Cabral. shall start to see
Cabral in few days, and should be glad to know
beforehand II you and he are on good terms. and
also whether ne or you hold the superior command.
and which OF you intends to move on the frontier
nrsts,
"You overwhelm me-" said Luperon, laughing,
ssbut shall endeavor to answer your questions
and General Cabral, but 1t Is In fair way to be en-
tirey removed. / complained OF CabraI,s slowness
and lack OF cooperation He has been here now
over three years and has done nothing He re.
minds me Of man living on his relations and max.
ing no effort to SHIFT for himself. Had he cooper.
ated with me year ago should have been in
st. Domingo city now. ! wrote to him to saw
he was getting old and rusty and that it was time
for him to wake up and be stirring lie had an |
idea that should play a subordinate part and had
no title to dictate a programme or suggest pollcy
Now, claim to represent
THE TRUE IDEA OF THE PATRIOTS
in both the eastern and western parts OF the island
feel satisfied the two peoples can be brought to-
gether, and republic established on this island
strong enough to be independent OF outside aid
and bold enough to resist outside Interference
This has been the dream ofmy life and shall test
the force that Is In It, As to which OF us hods the
superior command IL Is really matter that
should not Affect our relations. NV atten-
tion is directed to the northern, his to the
southern frontier We can cooperate with perfect
harmony, without disputlng who is first or second
In command. should we be successful and drive
people would be free to decide on a canddate Tor
the Presidency. As far as am concerned / have
no ambition for the place. / want to see
the integrity OF my country preserved
look upon the atrocity OF Baez in CIV
ing away Dominican soil TO foreigners as
deserving OF death. DO you imagine our people
approve OF what has been doneS No, Senior. How
would Americans like to have President Grant sell
the peninsula OF Florida TO a party OF foreigners
and put the money IN his own pocketY That would
be an analogous case. The people OF the eastern