Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-12-30
SHOTTED GUNS
POINTED 1T POOR LITTLE HAYTI,
And She was Compelled to Surrender Our
Boat.
THE WAR GOES MERRILY ON,
But LegitmeS Sway is Becoming StrOnge,
"A Battle Expected.

PORT AU PRINCE, December 21.-On
board the Galsna.-The L. S. Steamers
Galens and Yantic. which left New York
December II, steamed into the harbor of
Port An Prince December 20 st 8 a. N.
with shot.ed guns, torpedo booms, ships
cleared for action and crews standing at
quarters to demand of the alleged Hsytian
government the instant release of the
steamer Hsytien Republic. On the ar
rival in the outer harbor, Rear Admiral S
B. Luce transferred his flag to the Yantic
whica has draught of but IA feet. TIE
Yantic was then run slowly into the inner
harbor to within a hundred feet of the
docks where the Haytien Republic was at
anchor. Anchor was dropped and stern
line was at oncs attached to the Hsytien
R4pub ic, the guns of the Yantic being
trained on the city. The Galsna remained
in the outer har6or with broadside and
pivot guns trained on the Haytisn man of
war Dessalines, and prepared to fire at the
first hostile demonstration.
The DesLslines crew also stood at their
guns until the result Of the interview o:
Lieut. Griffin with Legitime was made
known. Lieut.. Griffin went ashore short.
ly after 8 o'clock with communications
from the State Department and Admiral
Luce demanding the release within four
hours of the detained steamer and the
withdrawal of her guard. Legitime, find
ing that no delay would be tolerated ur-
der formal protests and appeal for future
arbitration, commanded one of bis gun
boats to tow the Haytian Republic to the
position in the outer barbor, occupied
when captured, and to have such slight
damage as had beer done to her repaired
bv his mechanics. Night fell before her
cable could BE- severed, as her anchor
chains had been badly fouled. The formal
return was not made until the next day.
Toe moral effect of this prompt action OF
Admiral Luce has BEEN m)st salutary on
the Haytian people. The influence of the
French government through their minister
at Port Au Prince is very strong with the
Legit me Government and it is said that
the Haytien Republic would not have been
rele sed had French man of war been IN
the harb0r. 1t is also claimed that the
French Governments influencs has bsen
hacking Lsgitime since his return foom
Exile. The German Government is gener'
slly understood to be back of the Hippo
lite faction in the North.
The release was most opportune from the
acknowledged fact that Legitime bad con-
tracted to sell the HaJ Jtien Republic to the
Atlas line; iu fact WIS about to turn her
over to a crew which had arrived that
morning from Jamaica.
The Haytian National constitutions"
Assembly, which had been in session fer
the previous four days, after much dispute,
endorsed the existing constitution and then
Immediately proceeded to vote their con-
| firmstion of the action OF the Central Kew
olutiOnary Committee in electing Legltime
President The vote was unanimous one,
as forty of the forty-four deputies present
were from the southern departments sup
porting Legitime, and the remaining four
were passengers on the Hsytien Republic
when captured, and were detained at the
Presidential palace, diped and wined, and
convinced of the availability of Legitime
TO govern the four Northern departments
they represented. All foreign powers were
informed of his election, and PORTION OF
the navy was ordered to this port to par
take ia the demonstration in honor Of that
event, and to take part in the inaugural
fetes. The United States flag after sn alb.
fence of eleven days was then returned to
the masthead of the Hsytien Republic to
enliven the harbor, and was flying on ths
arrival of the An erican vessels.
After having bombarde1 Cape Hayden,
Port D, Paix, San Mac and other smaller
p,rts in the North and West coasts, and
completely demora'iz;pg ell foreign and
cossting trade, it has been decided II ad-
vance the war ships in connection with
the army now marching to meet the forces
of Gen. II ppolyte. Skirmishes have oc-
Currsd on the frontier between small de-
tacbments of the army, and news OF gen.
eral engagement near San Marie is momen-
tarily locked for.
While the navy and seat Of government
is in the hands OF the Legitime fActio1 the
troops under H'ppoIyte are superior IN
moral efficiency and consider THAR COM
mauder a 'second Napoleon" The in
hsbitants of San Marie, recently bonn
barded, are in q most destitute situation,
such bsing the condition TO some extent
of all the bombarded ports.
Friday afternoon an official visit was
made by the admiral aad thirteen OF the
officers of the Galena and Yantic to Presi-
dent Lesitime and his Cabinet. PIesi-
dent Leeitime expressed in his speech Of
welcome the friendliest feeling for the
Americans and entertsined the officers at
his palace in the very best style. Admiral
Luce replied that sit had always been the
policy of his country to encourage Repub'
lies, especially those Of the West-1ndies
and particularly those composed OF enfran-
chised Africans, for America had but re-
Gently passed through conflict, the ulti.
mate object of which was the freedom OF
that race in the great Republic"