Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-27

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 26.-The State
Department Commissioners selected to visit
Hayti will also probably be instructed to
visit Santo Domingo As near as can be
ascertained from those conversant with our
diplomatic policy The object is to ultimately
obtain coaling or naval stations at Mole St.
Nicholas and )Samana Bay, and the COM
mission will seek to obtain such assurances
as will make it possible for the administra-
ton to establish coaling stations with the
necessary territory for their protection at
those two points.
The State Department has all the means
necessary not only to defray the expenses of
the commission, but to negotiate for future
privileges of an important commercial ma
ture.
The greatest caution has been exercised
at the State Department to keep the pur-
pose and movements of the commission Sc
cret
The commission to Hayti has at last been
definitely agreed upon. It was at first in
tended that it should consist of three men,
bers, but the refusal of Congressman Robert
Hit, OF Illinois, to serve reduces the num-
Der to two.
The other gentlemen who have signifed
their willingness to 60 are General Lew
Wallace, of Indiana, ex-Minister to Turkey,
and Mr.. Nathaniel Beverly Tucker, OF
Virginia. The political balance of the
commission is thus maintained, inasmuch
as General Wallace is Republican and
Mr.. Tucker an ex-Confederate Democrat.
SECRET INSTRUCTIONS.
Secretary Blaine is desirous of all things
that none of the great European powers
should become acquainted with the nature
of the instructions, lest the intentions of the
American Commissioners be anticipated
and the possible results of their mission
neutralized. A publication of the details
of the instructions would be followed by
their immediate transmission BY cable to
the English, German and French foreign
officers, as these three Governments especi-
ally would be vitality interested in every
move which this country might make in the
premises.
At the Haytian Legation surprise is natu-
rally expressed at the action of the State
Department in sending commission to
Hayti. The administration had scarcely
been in Office two weeks when it was de-
termined to send representatives of our
Government to Hayti independent of ordi-
nary diplomatic service. It will be remem-
bered that the alleged treaty between the
Haytian Minister in Paris and the repre-
sentative of France was dated March Z. It
was not until early in the present month
that the State Department took official
notice of the existence of such treaty.
Although upon the face oft, it was man
unskilled lin diplomatic usages, especially
those of the French Government, yet never
theless certain communications on file in the
State Department warranted the Secretary
in cslling the attention of the French and
Haytian Ministers to the existence of the
alleged treaty. The agent of Hippolyte,
sent here last year, had intimated to the
State Department that Legitime had prom
ised 70 the French Minister at Port au
Prince the Mole ST. Nicholas.
A BOGUS FRENCH TREATY.
In the treaty referred to site for the es-
tablishment of a coal depot was to be ceded
and abandoned forever at st. Nicholas to
the French Republic. The Haytian Minis
ter assured Secretary Blaine that it was not
in the power Of Legitime or any other per-
son in authority in Hayti to cede an inch of
native territory to any power. The French
Government, through its Minister, was
equally emphatic in declaring that it was
not their intention to acquire territory in
any part of the world, muGh less any spot
that would involve his Government in con-
troversy with the United States. Further
assurances were received from our own Le-
CATION in Paris that no such treaty as it was
alleged had been negotiated was in exist.
ence.
More recently the State Department was
advised that the situation in Hayti was be-
coming favorable to the forces of Hippolyte.
The latter had already assured our Govern
ment through an unofficial source that he
would be glad to offer to the United States
the privileges of naval station at Mole st.
Nicholas, which would give us coveted and
decided advantages. He also said he would
be happy to draw the ties closer by addi-
tional treaty privileges, and render more in
innate the relations of the two countries.
Mr.. Blaine understands that while we
have an accredited Minister to Port au
Prince, Legitime, who has been recognized
by nearly all the European governments,
would not receive commissioners in an Off
cial capacity. On the other hand, Hippo
lyte has no diplomatic restraints surround
ing him, and if it should appear to our
Government that the situation warrants the
recognition of Hippolyte there is nothing
to prevent the formulation of the agreement
proposed for the further consideration of
the State Department. In the meantime
neither faction is officially recognized by