The Portland daily press., 1888-12-06
the ISLAND REBELS.
Status Of Affairs In the Disturbed Re-
public of Havtj.
public Of HaytI,

NEW YORK, Dec. 5.-N. Stephen Preston
and Consul General Bassett were again in a
disturbed frame of mind yesterday over the
existing and ever accumulating troubles
which beset that little Haytial Isle. where
peace is at premium and rebellion may be
mad for the asking. Between contrabandists
and blockade runners up here in the North
both Minister Preston and Consul General
Bassett have had their official hands full for
three months past. Secretary of State Bay
ard yesterday rendered a decision in the
matter Of the seizure last month of the steam
ship Haytian Republic as an alleged block
ade runner. The Secretary, in making his
decision, does so in the form Of communi-
cation to Lawyer Brandeiss, counsel for the
Haytian Republic Steamship Company.
He states in substance that after careful
examination into the case he finds that the
validity of the alleged condemnation of the
vessel cannot be admitted. He also instructs
Minister Preston to advise his government
to defer the cOnfscation of the steamer
Haytian Republic, as had previously been
decreed by the prize court, which sat last
month at Port au Prince; A prominent ship
per to Haytian ports said yesterday, refer
ring to Secretary Bayard's decision:
Captain Compton, without doubt, now
has clear case for damages against the
Haytians use the term Haytians, because
there IS not at present any recognized gov
properly elected to the presidency of the re-
public after Salomon's death. When there
Is a recognized government established k
will have to turn its Golfers upside down to
reimburse the United States for the damage
and insult it has caused the shippers"
A number Of prominent merchants and
shippers received from the steaper Alert,
two. days in from Cape Haytian, fac smile
copies OF letters addressed to the potentates
of all European countries. purporting to
come from Representatives Of the three de-
partments of the North, urging the crowned
heads to recognisefio government in Hayti,
but simply to look upon 1t as country In
the state Of civil war. The departments Of
the north consist of the North, Northwest
and Artiboni.e, Hippolyte's stronghold.
The Hippolytians, as the so-called rebels
have been characterized by the followers OF
Legitime. set forth in their appeal to the
nations that they are perfectly willing to be
called belligerents and treated as such by
the powers, providing the same attitude is
assumed toward the rest of the Inhabitants.
The fact Is also presented that at the time OF
Salomon's death Legitime was residing in
Jamaica, and as soon as he learned OF the
set sail for Port au Prince, and arriving
there called an election. The number Of
electors necessary to choice Is so, but Leg
by not being constitutionalIy chosen bresi-
dent Of the republic.
The departments OF the north assert that
there is no longer blockade at Cape Hayti-
an, but Legtime will not allow any such
presumption on the part of Hippolyte.
Both Minister Preston and Consul Bassett
deny all knowledge of their contemplated
recall by Legitlme. although 1t is strongly
limited that tLegitime is suspicious and win
recall his representative In the United States
If for no other reason than to test his stand
ing with this government.