Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-29
I'd EDITION.
Latest q6lGglans 10 The Star,
HAYTI HAD LITTLE CHOICE.


HAYTI HAD LITTLE CHOICE.
Admiral Luce Left no Room for Doubt.
ing that he Meant Business.
WITH THE YASrIcs guns TRAINED ON THE CITY
AND The GALENA's ON THE HAITIAN NAVY,
LEGITTME DOESN'T HESITATE ABOUT GIVING
UP THE SHIP.
OS BOARD THE q. 8. 8. GALESA, OFF PoRr Az
PRINCE, Dec. 2l.-The U. s. s. Galena and
iantic, which left New York Dec IL, steamed
In the harbor of Port an Prince Dec. 20, at 9
am, with shotted guns, torpedo booms, ships
cleared for action and crews standing at quart
ers to demand of the alleged Haytian govern
ment the instant release of the steamer Haytien
Republic. On their arrival in the outer harbor
Rear Admiral s. II. Luce transferred his flag to
the Yantic which has a draught Of but IA feet
Inc fantlc was then run slowly into the inner
harbor to within 100 feet Of the docks where
the Haytien Republic was at anchor.
ALL READY FOR FIGHT.
Anchor was dropped and a stern line was at
once attached to the Haytien Republic, the
guns of the Yantic being trained on the city.
The Galena remained in the outer harbor
with broadside and pilot guns trained on the
Haytian man-of-war Dessalines, and prepared
to fire at the first hostile demonstration. The
Dessalines crew also stood at their guns until
the result of the interview of Lieut.. Griffin
with Legitime was made known.
LEGITIME YIELDS UNDER PROTEST.
Lieut.. Griffin went ashore shortly after 9
o'clock, with communications from the State
department and Admiral Luce, demanding
the release within four hours of the detained
steamer and the withdral of her guard
Il Innn nd in fhQf m 1alo 1af pl1-
rated, under formal protest and appeal for
future arbitration. commanded one of his gum
boats to tow the Haytien Republic to the posi-
ton In the outer harbor occupied when cap
tured and to have such slight damage as had
been done to her repaired by his mechanics.
GOOD EFFECT OF ADMIRAL LUCE's PROMPT ACTION.
Night bell before her cable could be severed,
as her anchor chains had been badly fouled
The formal return was not made until the next
day. The moral effect Of the prompt action
of Admiral Luce has been most salutary on the
Haytian people.
FRENCH AND GERMAN INFLUENCE.
The influence of the French government
through their minister at Port-au-Prince, is
very strong with the Legitime government
and it is said that the Haytien Re-
public would not have been released
had French man-of-war been in
the harbor. 1t is also claimed that the French
governments influence has been backing Legi-
time since his return from exile. The German
government is generally understood to be
backing the Hippolite faction In the north.
LEGITIME HAD SOLD THE SEIZED VESSEL.
The release was most opportune, from the
acknowledged fact that Legitime had contract
ed to sell the Haytien Republic to the Atlas
line; in fact, was about to turn her over to a
crew which had arrived that morning from
Jamaica.
BIG ENGAGEMENT LOOKED FOR.
After having bombarded Cape Haytien, Port
Depaix, San Marc and other smaller ports on
the north and west coasts. and completely
demoralizing all foreign and coasting trade it
has been decided to advance the warships in
connection with the army now marching to
meet the forces of Gen. Hyppolite Skirmishes
have occurred on the frontier between small
detachments of the armies. and news Of a gen.
eral engagement near San Marc is momentarily
looked for.
ADMIRAL LUCE VISITS LEGITIME.
Friday afternoon official visit was made
by the admiral and thirteen of the officers of
the Galena and Yantic to President Legitime
and his cabinet. Legitime expressed in his
speech of welcome the friendliest feeling for
the Americans and entertained the officers at
mirai Luce replied that It had always
been the policy Of his country TO
encourage republics, especially those of
the West Indies, and particularly those COM
posed of enfranchised Africans for America
had but recently passed through conflict the
ultimate object of which the freedom of
that race in the great republic"
AN INDEMNITY OF $3.50, 900 TO BE ASKED.
At conference tomorrow of Mr.. B. c.
Morse, the owner of the Haytien Republic with
Gen. Legitime, the former will submit a claim
for 900. 900 damages for detention of the ship
and sl50.OOO compensation to the crew and two
passengers. When the steamer Prins Mauritz
left Jacmel on December 20 riot was in pro-
gress, and half the town was in flames.
EMIssARIEs OF THE BELLIGERENTs.
NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-Among the Prins Mau-
rits' passengers from Port au Prince were
Compile de Delva, lieutenant in the Haytien
army; Prof. n. Frontier, H. Surgnal and
of the Haytien general of that name.
Haytian department of the north, and at once
took passage on the French steamer La Cham
payne which sailed from here for Harve this
afternoon.
They declined to make known their purpose
in coming here. 1t was the belief on the yes
sci. however, that these officers were going to
France to make strenuous efforts to interest the
French government in the Haytien difficulties
and if possible get that foreign power to fur
nish a man-of-war for the use of the Army of
the North. Madame de Contreras has also evil
IDENTIFY come here on a mysterious mission. She
kept her own counsel on the voyage up and
positively refused to talk about the purpose of
her journey.