Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-12-08
VIZ MEAN BUSINESS.
Hayti Must Release the American
Steamer Haytian Republic.
THREE SHIPS PREPARING.
The Richmond, Galena and yantic TO BE
Got Ready for Sea as Soon as
Possible by Order of Sec
retary whitney.

taken by Secretary Whitney which leaves no
doubt as to the policy of this government
with regard to the case of the American
steamer Haytian Republic, recently seized at
Port au Prince.
The release of the vessel has been demanded
through the proper diplomatic channels, and
if the demand is not complied with within a
reasonable period Of time steps will be taken
to enforce it,
With this end in view Secretary Whitney
has sent telegraphic instructions TO Rear
Admiral Gherardi, commandant OF the New
York navy yard, to have the ships Rich
mond, Galena and Yantic prepared for sea
as rapidly as possible.
1t was expected that these vessels would,
in the ordinary progress of the work upon
them, be completed in about two weeks
The idea now is to have them ready so that
they can sail direct for Hayti early next
week.
Orders have also been issued for :Rear Ad-
miral Luce, commanding the North Atlantic
station, to transfer his flag from the Galena
TO the Richmond, and to use that vessel as
the flagship of the expedition.
NEW York, Dec Sc b. Bassett. consul
general of Hayti in this city, has not yet re-
ceived any news from his country as to the
condition of affairs there. The Atlas line
steamship Claribel is now due and Consul
Bassett expects her mail will contain letters
from his government.
Consul Bassett sail that undoubtedly his
government wouli accept the referees decis-
ion in the Van Boklen damage suit awarding
the plaintiff, who is an American citizen,
100000 damages Still he could not speak
autbortatively on the subject, as it was a
matter which belonged TO the Haytian min
ister
He also thinks his government will not dis
pute the decision of the United States gov
ernment in the Haytian Republic case He
says that the feeling that the American flag
should have been hauled down from the
seized steamer is anything but the sentiment
of his government, which would under no
circumstances suffer the American dag to
be treated with disrespect. Gen. Contreras.
he says, is an excitable man and not TO be-
considered a mouthpiece of the Haytian peo
pie or of the Haytian government. He is
Spaniard, now a citizen of Hayti He is i'm
no way representative of the Haytian gov
ernment, and is here solely on private busi-
ness.
AT the navy yard the Galena, with Rear
Admiral Luce's pennant flying is in com
mission and ready TO sail at a minutes mo-
tice; but neither the Richmond nor the
Yantic can go to sea for several days
subordinate officer of the Boston, speak
ing of the condition of affairs in Hayti, said
that before the Boston was ordered there a
state OF terror reigned at Port au Prince
Rioting i'll the streets and barbarities Of all
kinds were a common occurrences. The
American residents were compelled to keep
within doors, and their lives and property
were not safe
When news reached Port-au- Prince that
thu Boston was on her way there it had q
quieting effect on the natives, and when the
ship anchored in the harbor the town had
assumed peaceful aspect. He said that
Capt Ramsay was not allowed to board the
Haytian Republic but that Surgeon Simons
was allowed on board, and there contracted
the yellow fever, which broke out on the
Boston after she sailed The nature of the
disease, he said, was kept from. the men for
ward, who We're told that it was climatic
fever. Volunteers were called for from the
crew to act as nurses, but were not told that
it was yellow fever
Capt. Ramsay, of the Boston, Is in Wash
ington, where he has made supplementary
verbal report to the secretary of the navy on
Haytian affairs.
The navy yard just now presents lively
scene of activity Several ships are fitting
out for sea service and others are undergoing
needed REPAIRS which are being completed
with less despatch. The Yantic was fIoated
out of the dry dock on Saturday and tied up
alongside the Richmond, and the calkers'
hammers beat an answering tattoo from one
to the other as they drive the oakum into the
seams Of the ships decks.
When Secretary Bayard's decision in the
case Of the Haytian republic seizure was
made public the possibility Of ships being
oxvff 70
ests becans apparent The only available
vessels are the corvette Galena and the
Yantic. The Galena is fitting ont at the
navy yard and could be sent at a moments
notice. II, however, there is no necessity for
hurryiDg a ship down there, the Yantic
would makeaa more imposing appearance
The work Of fitting her out has been pushed
more vigorously since the possibility OF her
being called into immediate service has
arisen, and she can tie put in commissi0n,in In 9
few days If necessary.