The record-union., 1897-12-01

w NOV. .bu.-lH inc
opinion of the Administration, the time
is now ripe for renewal of the prac-
tice of having the United States navy
represented in the waters of the G,llf
of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. For
several years past save an occasional
cruiser sent with all haste on her way
to or from the South Atlantic station,
not vessel of the navy has gone be-
yond the southern waters of Florida.
for the reason that the presence of
United States war vessels in the neigh
borhood of the Spanish Antilles might
have served to create an erroneous i'm
preston as to the attitude of the Unit
ed States towards the Cuban inSur-
gents, and have tended to complicat q
the relations between the United States
and Spain at time when it was desir-
able that no outside influence should
be brought into play.
Now, however, with the improve
ment in conditions in Cuba, and the
continued existence of good relations
between the two governments, the Navy
Department is about to let some of the
smaller vessels of the navy go into
West Indian waters during the present
winter season. The Marblehead, now
at Anna polls, will start southwark as
soon as she has concluded her work in
connection with the trial of the tor
pedo boat Winslow. She will go to
Nassau to look into the condition of
the United States citizens who are
working on that island. Nothing has
been heard from that place for some
time, and it is deemed proper to inquire
,xatlt
of workmen there.
While engaged in this inspection, the
Marblehead will make her headquarters
at Port Au Prince, on the west coast
of Hayti and will be charged with the
protection of American interests gem
orally in that section of the West In
dies This statement, which comes
from the Department of State, is taken
to mean that her commander Will see
that our interests do not suffer in the
event that the German Government
proceeds forcibly to punish Hayti for
the arrest of Lueders. The Winning
ton also is to be sent southwark, but
first will be locked and overhauled She
will touch at Guadalupe, and after
stay in tropical waters will continue on
to the South Atlantic station. The
gunboat Annapolis, now transformed
into a training ship, is slated for the
trip into the gulf during the winter
with a number of naval apprentices
aboard
Reports that came to the State De-
partment late in the afternoon from
Hayti We're to the effect that consid-
cradle excitement prevailed there, and
that the situation was grave. For this
reason it was determined to hasten the
departure of the Marblehead and the
naval officials were communicated with
to this end. The impression seemed to
prevail in Port Au Prince that a Ger
man warship was rapidly approaching
the place OF course, it is stated that
the Marblehead goes solely for the pur-
pose of protecting American interests
that might be threatened by the out
break of disorders in Hayti.
The latest advices from $German
sources, however, indicate that no oc-
casion will be given for friction be-
tween the United States and Germany
on account of the present difficulty,
and that the matter will be adjusted.
1t developed to-day that Hayti had
sent a reply to Germany's demands
which is somewhat remarkable for its
firmness, in view of the difference in
size of the two Powers. The Haytien
note makes ii clear that the Republic
is ready to discuss the merits of the
controversy. but does not desire that
Germany pass judgment in the first
place, demand an indemnity and there
after discuss the merits. Moreover
Hayi gives notice TO Germany that
the German Charge d'Affairs to Hayti.
who made the recent demands, is per-
soma non grata, and that it is impossi-
BILE for Hayti to conduct further ne
gotiations with him. 1t is stated that
he offended against all rules of pro-
priety and official etiquette by going
directly before the President of Havti.
and in a loud and angry tone and in
sulting manner threatened dire conse-
quences unless immediate reparation
was made to Germany
This personal affront to Hayti's Chief
Executive is regarded as touching the
honor and self-respect of the country
and is felt to call for an apology. I'm
der such circumstances the Haytien
Government has expressed a willing
ness TO negotiate settlement of the
entire case at Berlin, thus removing
ii from the hands of the obiectionab ble
German official now in Hayti