The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-09
HORRID HAYTIANS.
Civil War Raging Among the Blacks,
Gen. Hippolyte Advancing Victo-
riously on Port-au-Prince.
The Deposition of President Legi-
time Expected at Any Time.
Cannibalistic Rites Celebrated by
the Natives as of Old.
A Young Girl is Sacrificed and Greedy
Scramble for Her Half Cooked Flesh
Ersues-The Yantic and Ga
lena Are on Hand.


capital or by the advancing victorious
troops OF the North under Hippolyte APP
pears 10 be shortly expected by all but the
immediate supporters OF Legitime. He has
thrown into prison all prominent citizens
and residents OF the North in Port.au-
Prince suspected Of opposing him. Three
battles have been fought and lost by the
Legitimists in the past ten days. The first,
near Hinche, was most disastrous, followed
by an engagement on December 22, few
miles northeast from here. During
the rapid retreat on the capital
two divisions OF tho Southern army
deserted TO the pursuing Northern
ers. A stand was made the next
day at a rising knoll Of ground by
the dispirited army of the South, but
they were able to stand but a short time
against Hippolyto's assault. The army OF
the North are cntrenching themselves
some twenty miles from Portau-Prince,
completing their lines OF communication,
recognizing their augmented army and
awaiting the arrival OF recently purchased
arms and munitions OF war. They are
also devastating the great agricultural sec
ton where they nre now encampcd, and
from which Legitme received the greater
portion Of his supplies.
Gen. Hippolyte, having arrived and de-
clared provisional president by the Central
and Northwestern department ON his cap
ture Of the capitol, viii demand a congress
OF deputies from all the departments and
the election OF n permanent president, de-
claring Legitime selection unconstitutional
and void. He will probably then be- tho
only candidate in the field. Reports OF
defeats and desertions have raised TO
high pitch OF excitement the inhabitants
in this section, and hence Lcgitime is i'm
prisoning all the possible ringeaders in a
revolt against him. lie is showing great
activity in securing volunteers through
press gangs, who seek laborcrs in the fields
and bring them to the barracks frequently
in chains TO prevent their escaping.
Without law, life or property is unsafe
| in this section. Excess Of every kind is
the rule. The horrible cannibalistic rites
/ OF yOudooism are revealed, and reports
reach the city OF a meeting Of several
thousand Christmas night near Jacques,
and the sacrifice Of u young girl, and the
! greedy scramble Tor some portion OF the
hali-cookcd flesh. The devastation Of the
central part Of the island has been the
cause OF the robbery Of recently buried
bodies and the devouring OF the same.
These are well.authcniicalcd facts The
inhabitants oi the interior are even more
degraded than their African ancestors.
They are rarely brought in contact with
any evidences OF civilization, and can be
/ IL a
Gen. Auguste, resident Of the North,
has been thrown into the military prison
| here and his assassination Is feared. The
capital is denuded Of troOpc and mob rule
| il feared. A United States war vessel will
remain In this harbor 10 protect the lives
and property of American citizens. The
French Minister, by his open backing Of
Legitimc, Is most unpopular. The French
war ships cabled for have not arrived.
| The schooner Aurora was captured in San
Domingo waters; her mail bag. weighted
with lead, was seized before IL could be
thrown overheard, the letters opened and
found 10 contain statements duplicating
some thirty prominent persons AT present In
! POrt-au.princc, many OF whom were pre-
vionsly unsuspcctcd. All have been
thrown into prison, and IL Is feared that
all will be shot or held ~ hostages in
attempts 10 parlcy with the Northern
forces, and ON their near approach 10 this
city summarily shot. Many Of these pcr-
sons held high positions in Logitime's
Government. The seizure Of tho vessel In
foreign waters, offering no reason for such
action, was another high.handcd outrage.
The cargo Of provisions was instantly ap.
propriaicd as being much needed.
The whole llaytian navy, consisting OF
some eight vessels, occupied the inner har-
bor December - aud %, thus rendering
null aud void any previous blockade. The
Ilaylians claim they were ordered Ia 10
prevent the seizure Of the steamship Hay
iian Republic, but the real mission was 10
defend Port-au-P?ince from the llippolytc
forces.
The French Minister, Lc Comptc lee
Mnis0ns, will be recalled as soon ~ Hip
polyte, who has already cablcd a protest
10 Paris, reaches pori.au-Princc.
The steamer lluyiian Republic Is still IN
the hands Of Admiral Luce, as the agent
OF the owner, Mr.. H. c. Morse, canno. re
ceive her until she II In a moro prcscnia
able state. While she has been thoroughly
disinicctcd by the surgeon Of the United
States steamer Galena and her captain, Mr.
COMPTON. her condition by reason Of hci
occupancy by the llaytian guards, rs filthy
In the extreme. She IL now anchored un
der tho guns of the Galcna The Yanti,
arrived in the harbor early on the morning
of December ~ with dispatches from ia,
State and Navy Departments, received viz
cable ut Santiago dc Cuba. The Hayiiai
Republic. Lieut.. Spiers, with prize crew
Of eighteen men from the Galena, vii
steam ON January to santiago dc Cuba
where she will be- rccoatcd and turne,
over officially TO her owner who will thoI
, collect a crew. The Gnlcna will keel
/ her In sight during the trip. While II !
. impossible 10 secure the fjj0,0OO indem
+. nity demanded for her detention and dam
age Of property TO her owners, passenger
and crew, Il Is thought that Il will be pos
sible TO secure some cash down. tn
: Government plead poverty. but ha
a recently paid 100000 for a foi
o mer English mail steamer, which the.
have fitted out ~ a gunboai, and on DE
4 cember 20 paid 10 the steamer Andes s2I,
: 800 for 500 Winchester rifles anu lOJOO
!, rounds Of ammunition, all In gold.
. II is also claimed that Degtime has mp
propriated 10 his own private purse oil tn