The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-29
The French in Timbuctoo.
WANTS TO RUN THE COUNTRY,
The American Minister to Hayti Tells Hin
polyte What to Do.

New York, January 2S.-Steamer Prinz
Willem First, from Port au Prince, re-
ports that quiet prevailed in Hayti at
the time of her departure. There had
been no disturbance and President
Hippolyte appeared to have a secure hold
of affairs. 1t was rumored that matters
were tending toward Gen. Manigal, at
present residing i II exile in Kingston.
Jamaica. He is believed by many to be
the future leader in Haytien affairs.
Much excitement was caused in Port an
Prince by the action of the new Ameri.
can Minister, Mr.. Smythe, who addressed
communication to President HippoIyte
IN which he gave his views as to how
Haytl could and should be governed.
he discussed the methods of the Presi-
dent's predecessors and urged reforms in
the country's government. Before send
ing TINS communication he endeavored
20 OBTAIN the signatures of other resident
Iorelgn ministers to the document. but
they decline to commit themselves to
such course. He signed the letter and
sent it to President HlppoIyte. On re-
ceipt of the.letter the President invited
Mr.Smythe to dine with him and talk
over the ubject therein contained. Mr..
Smythe declined. 1t was reported that
the minister's recall would be demanded.
HIS two predecessors were colored men.
Haytlens did not expect such severe de-
nunclatlon from the American minister
The Prins Wiliem |, brought as a pas
senger Edmund Fortune of Trinidad. an
agent for Massachusetts insurance
Company. Mr.. Fortune says of Nj.
Smythe that, though hardly two months
on the island, the American minister has
so far mastered the methods of govern
ment there that he has endeavored to
have the accredited agents of other coun.
tries unite with him in placing before
President Hippolyte a Communication
setting forth their views to how Hayti
should be governed and criticizing the
administration of affairs The other
ministers declined to enter in this scheme
Mr. Smythe, according to report, and it
may be said that Mr.. Fortune talked
with the German minister, among others
sent the communication over his own
signature to the President In it he is
said to have condemned the vigorous
measures taken to suppress revolutions
and the abeyance of real
justice on the bench. He also
criticised the financial and customs
policies of the government and accused
the president of diverting public money
to the furtherance of partisan interests
and OF using generally his official
Rresblge 10 sGFengGnen himself politically.
The document then proceeded, according
to report, to lay down Mr.. Smythe'7
Jews as to how the government....should
be conducted. President Hippolyte il
said to have been exceedingly wrought
up over the matter and to have com.
municated with the State Department at
at Washington requesting the recall OF
Minister Smythe. Shortly after this, the
President gave dinner to the foreign
ministers and, it is said, not wishing to
incur the displeasure of the United
States he included Minister Smythe in
his list of invitations, but Mr.. Smyther
having heard of the request for his re-
call, declined to attend. Mr.. Fortune
says that Mr.. Smythe is the first white
man sent by the United States as min.
lister to Hayti. The feeling excited by his
course has been intensified. In the
country colored mans rights are su.
preme, and white men, even when
married to colored women, the men are
not allowed a title to real estate.