Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-30
GERMANY AND HAITI
Particulars of the Dispute Over
Lueders' Case.
Cow TROUBLE Was AVERTED
Happy Effect of U. S. Minister
PoWeIl's Interference.
WILLING TO PAY INDEMN NIFTY


lister to Haiti, full report of the case of
MIR. Emile Lueders, which bids fair to be-
come serious issue between Germany and
the small West India republic, possibly in
volvins tn, United States. This report
shows that the United States minister took
more active part in the proceedings which
resulted in the release of Leuders than is
generally Known III this country. His
prompt action undoubtedly averted, for the
time being at least, an open rupture be-
tween Germany and Haiti, and relieved
this government from what would
doubtedly have been at embarrassing sit
uatior. had the German government under
taken to enforce its demands by shot and
shell.
The German authorities were undoubtedly
incensed at the defiant attitude at first
sumed by Simon Sun, the Haitian presi-
dent. and were making for IL naval demon
stration against Haiti, when the troubled
waters We're smoothed. for the time being
at any rate, by the timely mediation of the
American minister. Although the matter is
still far from settlement, there is no doubt
that the prompt action OF Mr.. Powell served
to prevent an open rupture BY paving the
way for the settlement of the dispute by
the peaceful methods of diplomacy
1nasm1ch recent developments indi-
cate that the case may Yet result in re-
sort to force on the part of Germany, cali
ing for possible Intervention by the United
States in the enforcement of the Monroe
doctrine in behalf of Haiti. the State De-
partment officials have quietly Instituted
an investigation of all the facts in the
case Like all disputes. large and small.
there two sides TO the case and, as
usual. the parties differ in many essential
particulars in their statements of the
facts
The German Version.
The current version of the Incident gath
cred from German sources is that Lueders,
who is claimed to be d German subject
went to police headquarters at Port au
Prince to protest against the arrest at his
house Of a servant who had been charged
with some onense. and was himself ac-
cUsed of having committed a murderous
assault on the officers engaged il nerforn-
ing their duty He was sentenced TO a
petty fre and mo..th's Imprisonment but
demanded and obtained d second trial He
Jared worse at the sec ond Trial than at the
hrst, being senteLced to one years impris-
onment and TO fine of 500.
Count Schwern, the German minister
lAterfered at this point and acting under
instructions from Berlin, demanded the inn
mediate release of LUeders and the paw
ment of an indemnity of $1,000 a day for his
tWerty-three days of imprisonment under
penalty of $1,000 a day for each day of at-
dltionai detention. President Sam consi,i-
eiec the demand unjust and exorbitaat and
refused 10 comply with it, whereupon the
German minister again cab.ed Berlin for
Estl luctions. on the receipt of which he
hauled down his flag the legation build
iEg and announced that three German ar
ships were on their way to the Haitian
capital to see that his reasonable de-
nands were granted.
Haiti's Version.
The Haitian version of the affair up TO
this point is briefly follows:
The dispute arose out of the imprison-
ment of Herr Emile Lueders, the son Of a
hf rial
UP TO shert time ago Lueders was Hal
tan citizen, but, it is added, having been
concerned in various little affrays, among
which are mentioned four dueIs, he seem
ingly deemed it wise to change his naton
aLty, and registered his name at the Ger
man consulate.
For an assault upon a cab driver, said to
have been unprovoked, to which Lueders,
IL is said, pleaded guilty, he was sentenced
TO one months Imprisonment. He appealed
from this decision to the correctional court
and the sentence was altered, he beng
sentenced to one years secluson and
fine of 800 francs. \ further appeal was
pending when the German minister intar-
fered without invitation, and it is said
forced his way into the private apartment
of Tiresias Simon Sam, the president of the
Haitian republic, and, in rude and per
emptory manner. demanded the release of
Lueders with an apology to the German
government and an indemnity.
The demand of the German minister rous-
q
nIent, ard even the American and ..rirish
residents of Port Prince became indis-
nant- Many of them offered their services
to the Haitian government as yolunfeers
in the event of trouble. There was an AL
most unanimous opposition TO compliance
with the demand. and all the local papers
iTVeIghei against what was tern,et. German
oppression. One of taem called upon the
people 10 defend their country with their
lives, rather than bow their helds to Ger
man slavery and oppression. The people
n fG sE.f..
was Increased :ather than diminished by
the action of the president In calling III ali
troops from the surrounding country. serv-
Ing out ammunition and making other
preparations for an active resistance to the
expected German naval fleet.
According TO advces received at the
State Department it was at this juncture
that the secretary of state for Haiti ad-
dressed letter to the diplomatic corps
inclosing copies of the letters which had
passed between Count Schwerin, the Ger
minister and himself in which ne
referred to the action of the German min
lister as "a resretable incident, which has
mace the mest deploratle impression"
The Correspondence.
Subsequent proceed ngs are shown In the
subjoined correspondence:
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
PORT AU PRINCE. Haiti.
October 20 1897
Hen. solon Menos. Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, Port au Prince Haiti
or- 10 me inc favor. Mr.. Minister to
release Mr.. Emile Lueders AT present CON
hned by the communal authorities In TAX
Ing this Initiatory step, ii is with no inten-
iion on my part to interfere with your
rules OF law or enter into the grave com
p.ications that at present exist between
your government and that of GERMANY NOR
do l wish IL understood that / am commit
ting my government in any way in tbe
natter L assure you. Mr.. Minister in
riakng this request. ii is in view to relieve
the present tension now existing and to
avoid that disorder and blcodshed that will
be fatal to the interest of our American
citizens resident and doing business unon
your island / trust, sir. you will be able
= TO grant this request, for the true benett
- of your country, as well as mine. With INV
best wishes and assurance Mr.. Minister /
am etc, w. F. POWELL
Legation of the United States
Port au Prince. Hayti, October p, 1857.
Hen Solon Henos. Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs Port Prince Hayti
Sir: In accordance with a letter / sent
you this morning. stating that I trusted
Continued on Seconl Page)