Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-26
HAITI'S CONDITION.
NO: POSSIBLE CHANCE OF AN OUT
BREAK BEING SUCCESSFUL.
President Hippolyts Sincere, Firm and De
tcrmined-Anair Of May 2Sth-Cone
fident He Can Crush Revolt.

Especial correspondence Of tho Associated PrcsAl
PoRr Az PRINCE, August 15.--Dr. j. b
Terres, Consul and acting United States
Minister. says that since the present Gov
ernment came into power there has never
been less cause for alarm that an outbreak
could in any measure prove successfui
than at present. There is absolutely no
foundation for any statement that General
Hippolyte or his Government has acted IN
the outrageous manner represented In
United States journals during July.
MAINTAINS HIS AUTHORITY.
II honestly believe he continued.
THAT President Hippolyte Is sincere IN
his desire to do right, but he will not toll
crate the slightest attempt to weaken his
authority, OF course he Is no angel, and II
will probably never be known how far he
was justified III his course on May 2sth.
Certain it is that if he had been assassi-
mated the city would have been IN flames
in less than half an hour. Probably thou
sands would have lost their live: looting
would have been rampant and Heaven
only knows where it would have ended.
The event of May 2Sth has embittered Hip
polyte toward his enemies. and they are
lying very low In consequence"
FAR TOO BLACK.
According to people here who ought to
bo qualified to Judge the personal and po-
litical character Of Hippolite has been
painted far too black. The blood-thirsti-
ness and maniacal outbreaks attributed to
him from time to time have no place in his
nature, according TO those who best know
him. Assurance is given by diplomats.
capitalists, and businessmen generally
that until the affair of May 2Sth the pres
ent Government had been extraordinarily
patient. 1t had permitted full liberty of
the press, AMI full liberty generally-a
thing never known before in this land Of
military despotism.
SEVERE MEASURES.
These concessions were repaid by scurri-
lous criticisms, and misrepresentation
of the Presidents acts, and those OF his
Ministers. Contempt and scorn Hippolyte
bore with equanimty for some time, but
when there began to be indications OF
open defiance, he gave warning that he
proposed to take severe measures To up
hold his authority. Nobody affected TO
believe it until it was too late. Now that
Hippolyte is on his mettle the malcontents
are proving they can be very quiet.
IN FAVOR OF PEACE.
II Is stated that three quarters of the
whole population of the island is in favor
vi peace. lHe people III Hbytl lIum III
accounts are beginning to tire of endless
revolutions and causeless bloodshed.
While unbroken tranquility now prevails
it is SILL true there is an nndercurrent OF
unrest aud uncertainty as to the future.
Amy body might successfully creates panic
in Port-au-Prnce by simply firing seversl
pistol shots, but the trouble would not
last many minutes "a the city is garrison
ed by about 5000 troops. General Hippo
lyte is complacently waiting. If an out
break occurs he is confident he can crush
it.
THE LOAN SECURED.
Hippolyte has closed oil negotiations for
his loan of 81 ,00O,00O The Government
is pressed for money at tho present time
from natural causes, which are explained
thus: June, July, and August constitute
the dead season, when practically nothing
is being exported. and when the imports
are very much smaller than at any other
time of the year. In October the exporta-
ton of coffee commences and the Govern
ment will then have plenty of money
again. The national debt of Hayti was
last year S6.006.958 against SIS. $50 in
1889. The premium on gold Is at present
8 per cent. At the time the subscription
for the loan opened it was l5 per cent.
THE CABINET RERIGNs.
Yesterday owing to a serious disagree
ment between the Gambler end the Minis
try, the entire Haytien Cabinet resigned.
The trouble arose out of discus
sion concerning concessions promised
70 the Societe Franchise des Te.e-
| graphes Sous Msrins." which proposes
to establish telegraphic communication
all over the island Last year the
Administration promised the telegraphed
company, what it considered just terms,
and which were agreed 10 by the telegraph
company. The matter a few days ago
came before the Chamber of Deputies.
with the consequence that the proposed
concessions were most strenuously OPP
posed as being entirely too exorbitant.
Bribery was also hinted at. 1t Is not ex-
pected that the resignation Of the Cabinet
will provoke any troble.