The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-01
HE INSULTED THE PRESIDENT
AND HAITI WILL NOT DISCUSS THE
LUEDERs CASE WITH HIM.
Our Interests to BE Protected by q
War ship-Germany's Vessel Re-
calIed-The SGcCOrd Claim.

over the demand of Germany for reparation
for the arrest of Herr Lueders, and that
the situation was grave. For this reason
it was determined TO hasten the departure
of the cruiser Marblehead. and the naval
officials were communicated with to this
end The impression appeared to prevail
in Port-au-Prince that a German war ship
was rapidly approaching the place. OF
course. it is stated that the Marblehead
goes solely for the purpose Of protecting
American interests that might be threat
ened by the outbreak of disorders in Haiti.
The latest advices from German sources,
however, indicate that no occasion will be
given for friction between the United States
and Germany on account of the Haitian
difficulty and that the matter will be adj
justed.
From the German standpoint the Haitian
case is a simple one of collecting indem~
nifty for an offense against a German citi-
1t is pointed out that Germany has
not yet presented an ultimatum to Haiti;
no German fleet has been sent to Haitian
waters and no official intimation has been
made that force would be exercised against
the republic. The only tangible facts thus
far, according to the German view of the
case. are that an indignty has been COM
mitted against a German subject, causing
asked an indemnity of 100000 marks. Be-
<A1d this, it is said, the reports of Ger
maGy's ultimate purposes, either in exert
ing force or in landing on Haitian soil, are
purely conjectural and not sdch the
United States government would be like
~ to take cognizance. Among diplomats
familiar with the case it is said that the
Monroe doctrine cannot become involved,
except through a determination by Ger
many to hold n part of Haitian territory.
Germany has no such purpose, it is said,
but IL is merely DESTROYS of securing an
indemnity. 1t is probable that Germany
would readily give assurances that no ter
ritorial extension was involved if it were
not for the fact that such assurance would
concede the right of the United States to
take hand in the matter. 1t is not like
~ that any concession of this character will
be made as it is believed Germany VIII
maintain her right to settle this indemnity
question with Haiti in her own way and
will insist that the United States herself
recognized the principle in demanding in
demnity of Turkey for outrages committed
on American citizens
HATS REPLY TO GERMANY.
1t developed to-day that Haiti had sent
a reply to Germanys demands, which is
somewhat remarkable for it's firmness in
view of the difference in size between the
two powers. The Haitian note makes it
clear that the republic is ready to discuss
the merits Of the controversy but does
not desire to have Germany pass judgment
in the first place. demand an indemnity and
thereafter discuss the merits. Moreover,
Haiti gives notice to Germany that the Ger
man charge daffaires to Haiti. who made
the recent demands, is persona non grata,
and that it is impossible for Haiti to con-
duct further negotiations with him. 1t is
stated that he offended against all rules of
propriety and official etiquette by going di-
rectly before the President of Haiti and in
loud and angry tones and insulting man.
ner. threatened dire consequences unless
Immediate reparation was made to Ger
many. This personal affront to Haiti's
chief executive is regarded as touching the
honor and self-respect of the country and
is felt to call for an apology. Under such
circumstances the Haitian government has
expressed willingness to negotiate a set
removing 1T from the hands of the objec-
tionable German official now in Haiti
IN the opinion OF the administration the
tiihe Is not ripe Tor renewal of the prac-
tice of having the United States navy rem
resented In the waters of the Gulf of Mex
leo and the Caribbean sea- For several
years past, save an occasional cruiser with
an haste, on her way to or from the South
Atlantic station not vessel of the navy
has gone beyond the southern waters If
Florlda Tor the reason that the presence of
United states war vessels in the neighbor-
served to create an erroneous impression
as TO the attitude of the United States to-
wards the Cuban insurgents and have tend
ed to complicate the relations between the
United States and Spain at a time when ii
was desirable that no outside influences
should be brought into play. Now, how
ever, with the Improvement of the condi-
tons in Cuba and the continued existence
OF good relations between the two govern
ments, the Navy Department is about to let
some of the smaller vessels of the navy go
into West Indian waters during the present
Mt A
napoiis, will start southwark as soon as She
has concluded her work in connection with
the trial of the torpedo boat Wins!oW. She
Will so to Navassa to look into the condi-
ton of United States citizens who are work
ing on that island. Nothing has been
heard from that place officially for some
time and 1t is deemed proper to inquire
into allegations of abuses in treatment of
wofkmen there. While engaged in this in
spection the Marblehead will make her
headquarters at Pott-au-Princ on the west
coast of Haiti. and will be charged with
the protection of American interests gen.
orally in that section of the West Indies.
This statement. which comes from the De-
partment of State. is taken to mean that
her commander will that our interests
do not suffer in the event that the German
government proceeds forcibly TO punish Hal
Il for the arrest of Lueders. The Whining
ton also, is TO he sent southwark, but
first Will be locked and overhauled. She
will touch at Guadaloupe, and after a STAY
in tropical waters win continue ON to the
South Atlantic station. The gunboat An
napolis. now transformed into Il training
ship, Is slated for trip into the gulf dur
ing the winter with a number of naval APP
prentices aboard.
Emile Lueders. the son of a German
father and 81 Haitian mother. was sentenced
at Port-au-Prince in October to one
months Imprisonment for an alleged UNI
provoked assault upon cab driver. He
had been a citizen of Haiti but having
been involved In four other duels and other
troubles he deemed II prudent TO change his
allegiance, and had registered his name at
the German consulate before his arrest for
attacking a cabman. Lueders appealed from
the sentence of the Correctional Court and
bis sentence was plade heslvier-impTison
ment lor one year. and to pay fine of
$780, second appeal was pending when
the German minister Count Schwerin, per-
emptOrily demanded his release. the dis
missal Of the judges who sentenced him and
indemnity of sl,0oO for every day of inn
prisonment up to that time, coupled with
q threa that II Isueders was not liberated
within twenty-fOur hours the indemnity de-
mand would be increased to $50J0 a day
thenceforWard. President Sam OF Haiti re-
fused to accede 10 the demand, WhereupOn
the German minister, having communicated
with Berlin. hauled down his flag and an
nounced that three German war ships were
On the way 10 enforce his terms Public
feeling throughout Haiti became Intense
nelf fff,af e<1t