New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-25
THE COMMISSION TO HAYTI.
RUMoRs AT TIE NATIONAL
CAPITAL
NO INFORMATION GIVEN AT THE STATE DE.
PARTMENT-sENERAL LEW WALLACE SAID
TO BE ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUNE.l

IBY IELkGRAPH TO The TKIBUNE.l
Washington May 24.-The State Department has
been credited for some time with the intention Of
sending Commission of three. or a single Commits
sioner, to Hayt, with the view Of placing American
interests on a more satisfactory basis, and Incl.
dentay TO secure, II possible, coalng station for
United States men-Ofwar. In connection with this
statement II is asserted that ono or both Of tho
factions contendiDg for supremacy IN HayH have
appealed to the Government Of the United states to
arbitrate between them 1t IS also reported that tho
Administration has IN informal way offered fits
good Offices TO b-:ig about amcahe settlement
Of the difficulties. 1t Is hardly necessary to point
out that the latter OF the reports Is altogether im
probable.
At the State Department an extraordinary amount
Of secrecy is observed. Officially nothing l. known
about the matter, and unofclaly It is denied alto
gether. Between these statements and the fact ad.
nited by the Secretary Of the Navy that tho Boston
and the 0ssipee have been sent to Hayu the public
rs left 20 choose, for the present at least Secretary
Tracy admits that both the vessels mentioned arc not
sent 20 Hayu at the request Of the State Depart
ment, but merely for the purpose Of relieving the
ships Of the squadron now stationed
there, and in conformity with the plan here
tofore outlined by him which looks to a frequent
change of vessels IN where the crew is exposed
TO the dangers from yellow fever and other diseases.
At the same time, he admits that he knows nothing
at all about the appointment OF commissioners, and,
OF course, nothing about the statement made elsewhere
that quarters on the Boston had been fitted up for
the accommodation Of the commissioners.
Representative Hits name mentioned in the
first Instance In connection with the commission and
as likely DO at its head. There tho rumor that
he had declined the offer, and that General Lew Wal
lace would be appointed in his place, Tho presence
of General Wallace in Washington tonight seems To
lend some color TO the statement Another probable
commissioner mentioned in the gossip OF the street
4, DosSn local atfp uhn "a
credited with possessing fund of information as to
Haytian affairs. Mr.. Morse asked this afternoon
whether his name being considered I'm connection
with tho proposed commission; but he declared that
he knew nothing about it, He said that he had but
slight knowledge of the present situation Of affairs
IN Hayt and that he not able to talk ntelliGently
about the question At all.
Mr.. Preston, the Hayuan Minister Is left apparently
in entire ignorance Of the whole matter. He asserts
with good deal OF confidence that the story lacks
every foundation OF truth. 1t should not be forgotten,
however that Mr.. Preston is not presumed 10 be en-
irey In the confidence Of those who may NJ any time
be placed at the helm OF the Haytian Government
That the Government OF the United States took such
view long ago January last is probably only too
true At che New Years reception az the White
House Mr.. Preston was conspicuous by his absence,
though the Dean OF the Diplomatic Corps. II is said
that at the time he received hint from Secretary Bay
ard to the effect that his official reception
such public occasion, while as yet Il
remained undetermined which OF tho two
oontendn2 factions IN Hayd was the legitimate gov
ernment. might lead difficulties and b. eAsly msin
terpreted. Whether the Minister took the hint or
not. he certain: found It convenient day or two
before the New-Ytar began, TO find some urgent bust
ness which required his Immediate personal attention
In Newhork. All this might tend b explain Mr.
Preston's ignorance regarding the proposed COmmS
sion and the question whether Hayt has asked the
good ofsces Of this Government in arhHatn= betwccn
Legitines claims and those Of hts opponent. or
whether this Government has uBon Offered ~ settle
the difficulties In spirit Of friendly, but dlsntcrosted
eishbor.
The question Is mooted In some quarters as 20
whether II might be considered by other Powers a
hostile act for the United States 20 send Commission
10 Bayt. partial answer Is furnished b. cen.
tlemap somewhat verscd in diplomatic lore, who
points to the Of Mr.. Mann, who sent ~
Austria a. the time Of the Austro Hun garian difficulties
Is o Special Commission from this country. Tho
other governments made n number Of sharp Inquiries
the mtssfon of this eentlensn which, however,
were finally satisfactorily answered.