New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-28
MORE FIREARMS FOR HAYTl.
A QUEER sToRYsoF A PRIZE CREW.
MINISTER PRESTON AND OTHERS WILL NOT
COMMIT THEMSELVES.

COMMIT THEMSELVES.
There were taken TO Pier No. 3. North River,
Yesterday fifty cases Of rifles which were marked
G. Came Hayti7 These rifles, together with
nine Calling guns are to be shipped on the Clyde
steamer OZama tomorrow, which Is 10 go 10
Monte Cristo and other places in the West
Jndios As il is doubtful that a clearance will
be given TO tie vessel for Cape iiayueh' she VIII
nrohobly stop first at Monte Cristo and get n
consular certificate there for Cape Haytien, as
was done in the case Of the Saginaw. 1t is also
renorted that General Carvalho, nephew OF
General Hyppolite. who came north on visit
recently. and who has been staying at the Stevens
House will return as passenger on the Ozama
lie declared Yesterday that he had not purchased
the Calling guns and rifles They were involced
by SCHUYLER, Hartley ~ Graham, who refused 10
disclose the name Of the purchaser.
This disposes of the rumor published yesterday
that the Ozama was TO land these arms at puerto
Plata. presumably for the Dominicans. VINO an
ticipated war with Hayti through the aggressive
ness Of President IIerauX. of Santo Domingo At
the IIaytian Consulate there was much anxiety Tor
news from IIayt and the report that the steamer
Prinz Maurtz did not sail from Jacmel
until Sunday, and would probably not arrive here
before Saturday. seemed disturbing
A story was published yesterday, on the author
tv of Lieutenant f. W. Deering, n passenger on
the steamer Alcnc, respecting the alleged sending
by PIN. Forwood q Co., agents OF the Atlas Line,
acting in concert with Minister Preston, of crew
of twenty-five picked men to llnytl on the Alene
on December g. for the purpose of taking possession
of the steamer Haytien Republic, thus removing
the provocation to war and preventing the BON
bardment Of Port-au-Prnce by the Yantic and
Gaena This crew was headed by Captain Henry
Williams, it is said, an ex-English naval officer
and was well supplied with firearms and ammun-
ton Captain Williams received sealed ORDERS
which were not opened until the ship was two days
out. On opening the package he found letter
from PIN, Forwood &c Co., informing him of the
nature of his mission, we'll as giving him further
orders and papers signed by Minister Preston and
Consul BIssett.
Harold Forwood, agent of the Atlas Line was
seen by Tribune reporter at his office No rs
Safest, last evening. He admitted that he
knew Of the embarlaticn of the twenty-five
sailors, but would not admit that he knew the
nature of their mission. The reporter then
showed Mr.. Forwood the published letter to Cap
tain Williams, giving that officer instructions as
to what he should do when he arrived at liayu'
and beg ring the firms signature
Was that letter written by you or with your
authority?' asked the reporter; r,
~ decline TO say" replied Mr.. torwood.
VIII you say that the letter was not written
by youP', o.,,o.
we wrote IL or not
Did you know anything of the orders given
TO Mr. Williams by Minister Preston?'
| decline TO say whether | did or did not
One thing can tell you have had no communica-
ton with our Government on the point
Have you communicated with Minister Pres
ton?'
There again / must decline to reply" said
Mr. Forword smiling. See Minister Preston
and then | may be able to answer you more
explicitly
Minister Preston arrived from Washington late
last night and took rooms at the Westminster
Hotel where he was seen by a Tribune reporter:
When asked about the matter he answered
always send letters to my Government but OF
course | cannot tell you their contents. cannot
answer this This is the first that | have heard
OF this phase OF the question In answer to the
published statement that the United States de-
mands 90, 100000 from llayti as indemnity for
the seizure Of the vessel Will let your own good
sense tell whether it is true or not L have
heard nothing in Washington regarding the
matter
In the same story comment was also made upon
the object of the coming to New-forl< or Zen
cral Contreras Ii minated that the puMlc
had been msled into believing that the little gen
eral was here on private business only. The
Tribune has repeatedly called attention to the fact
that General Contreras had ingrdtatcd himself
into the confidence OF President Legtimc and
was in this country as his direct representative
in the purchase of supplies and war-weapons and
that he was the supervisor of the detectives en-
poyed to track the footsteps OF General HIPPO
tites representatives. 1t has also repeatedly pub
ished facts connected with his inspection OF dlfer
cnt kinds OF rifles, carhines, and revolvers, and
has described the small arsenal which his corner
of the Consulate frequently represents Hence
there can be miSakng the fact that he IS
here on official and not private business.