The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-14
HE CLIMBS THE BACK FENCE.
The Way Fred. Douglass Reaches the Con-
SuIate In Hayti.
SO SAYS 4 RICHMOND BOY WHO SAW HIN.
The United States Minister IL Fearful for His
LIfe-An Interesting Talk With an
Officer OF the philadelphia.

United States cruiser Philadelphia. a native
of this city, few days ago returned to Rich
mond TO visit his friends
The Philsdslphia had been stationed ut
Hayti from January until May to look after
| the interests of the United States, and the
young officer, who prompted by modesty
requested that his name not be mentioned IN
public print, draws very vivid picture of the
existing misrule and misgovernment in Haytl,
and especially at Port-au-Prince, the capital
| of HiApolyte, the president Of that republic.
| The present trouble. according to the infor-
| nation given Yesterday 10 q representative OF
The TINES by the navy officer In question,
| has been in existence for some time, andiit has
| been caused by a number OF attempts TO revo-
| lutioniZe the island. However, UP TO the
present time Hippolyte has always managed
| to hold his own and has quickly quelled every
| riot in the beginning and banished the
| leaders.
While the Philadelphia was stationed of
| Port-au-Prince q new revolution was almost
daily expected. The population, which al
most entirely consists of negroes, does not
know what it wants, and on the whole could not
be in more disturbed state than the present
one
FRED. DOUGLASS.
Fred. Douglass. the United States minister in
Havti, who is not at all liked by the popula-
ton. is n.constant fear for his life. and OF late
be has deemed II wise TO reach his office IN
the morning by passing through the back
yard of hotel, then climbing fence, going
through several other yards: and hnaiy
reaching the back stairway Of the consulate.
At night he makes an even moro cTcultous
route 10 reach home.
The colOred representative Of the United
States certainly occupies not very enyiable
position. for he is disliked by those who
would be supposed to be his friends, the
colored inhabitants of Hayti. and be Is also
very unfavorably looked upon by the Aneri-
cans. who in part for his sake, TO uphold the
authority of the representative Of the Ameri-
can people, have temporarily been stationed
in one of the most unhealthy climates OF the
earth.
1t is an open secret that Fred. Douglass has
been the great stumbling-bl in the nego,
tiations between Rear Admiral Gherardi and
Hippolyte. Hippolyte has been President Of
Hayti since 1888 when the United States
raised the blockade. While he is not very
strong, yet he has managed to hold on to his
power As soon as Inc notices any opposition
he is ready to have his antagonists shot before
they are able to rally any followers. The
President has followed the policy OF his
predecessors and has surrounded himself with
bis friends. who hold all the important offices
in the republic. Some of the natives are
very sharp politicians, but all the ofhce-hold-
erS seem 10 Dc DOTH l0lcNtS, AOl III hOhcoe
man among the Haytlens is an exception.
THE PHILADELPHIA.
The PHILADELPHIA while stationed in Hay
tien waters was very little annoyed Her officers
and crew for the first six weeks almost en-
tirely remained on board of the ship which
was anchored about three miles off the shore
to avoid yellow fever and other dangerous
diseases Later on they obtained permission
TO visit Port-au-Prince occasionally, but
n. Il had n 40 nh
tined.
Port-au-Prince q town of about fifty thou
sand population, does not have many attrac-
tons. The Inhabitants are nearly All black.
but they consider themselves far superior to
people not of their color, and consequently,
treated the men of the Philadelphia with 81
lent contempt. However. soon after the ar
rival of the Philadelphia President Hippolyte
cOndescended to visit the American man-ot-
war with his staff.
When he boarded the vessel national sa-
| lutte was fired and the same honor was ac-
corded him at his return TO the shore. The
! Presidents staff was made up by most
| Misunderstanding crowd, half of whom had
| the reputation of having stolen the uniforms
which they wore. There was only one honest
man among them, who last winter handled
| all the money Of the republic while Hippo
lyte was on his tour through the island. He
could not be induced TO steal any Of the
! money trusted to his care and he Is there
fore to-day one of the most hated men in
| Hayti.
! During the stay of the Philadelphia near
| Hayti there WAS considerable talk about the
ACCESSIBILITY of withdrawing the United States
Minister from Port-au-Prince and closing up
! the consulate there.
OWED THEM MONEY.
To increase the difficulty rumors were set
afoat about an impending war between San
Domingo and Hayti The people of the for
mer republic clam that the Haytiens owed
them some money. and that the boundaries
between them needed rearTangine.
How long this unsettled state of affairs will
remain in the Hayti republic cannot be fore
told and even if by chance some one should
suddenly shoot down Hippolyte it is rather
uncertain whether this would bring the con-
tinuous riots and attempts at revolution to
anenn.
The country is certainly very undesirable
for civilized people TO live III. 1t is full OF
dangerous and contagious diseases and its eli
mate is very unhealthy.
During his conversation with The TIMES re-
porter the young naval officer produced a
number of photographs which he had taken
while in the Haytien waters. but they all left
the impression that il might be very desirable
&