New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-31
GERMAN ULTIMATUM TO HATTI.
THREE HOSTILE WARsHIPs sTEAM1NG
FOR THE BLACK REPUBLIC.
INDEMNITY DEMANDED FOR THE ARREST AND
IMPRISONMENT OF A GERMAN AT
PORT Az PRINCE


FORT Az PRINCE.
Port au Prince, Hayt Oct. 21-Serious trou-
bic has arisen between Hayti and Germany
The German Minister to this republic. Count
Schwerin. has hauled down his flag and ac-
cordng TO current report. three German war
ships are expected here to back up the ulti-
matum OF that Minister to Hayti, demanding an
indemnity for the alleged Illegal arrest and i'm
prisonment Of German citizen. The affair has
caused considerable excitement among the ma
tive population. and loud threats have been
uttered against the Germans, some OF the peo-
pie going so far as to threaten to kill the Ger
man Minister to begin with. and to follow this
up by killing all the Germans in this place and
its vicinity.
The affair grew out Of the arrest here few
weeks ago of young German named Linders
According to the story told by the Germans.
dozen policemen entered Linders's house to ar
rest one Of his servants. who was made prls-
oner and taken away to the station. Thereupon
Mr.. Lnders went to the Central Police Head
quarters to make complaint against tins action
of the police and to his astonishment he was
himself arrested and charged with assaultng
and attempting to murder police officers in the
execution of their duty. Linders was promptly
condemned to pay fine of S4S and to undergo
one months Imprisonment, and he was mmedi-
ately taken to Jail. Asserting that he was per-
fectly innocent and that he would prove himself
such, Linders demanded a second trial and OBJ
tanned It, Witnesses testified that they had not
Mr. Linders strike any OF the policemen
and that even If he had done so, under the cir
cumstances, he would not have broken the laws
of Hayti. In spite Of this. Lnders was con-
demned to pay fine OF 5000 and was sentenced
to one years imprisonment.
Up to this stage of the proceedings the Ger
Mf,fc had anl hna ~ q
but inactive observer Of the proceedings. lie
had been present at all the sessions Of the
court. but while the affair was purely in the
hands Of the courts he could do nothing 10 as
sst Linders in diplomatic way. But when
the second judgment was rendered the Min
lister took the case in hand, telegraphed 10 Ber-
lin giving details OF the case. and asked for in
structons on the subject. few days later on
October Il. the German Minister went to the
Presiden; Of Hayti, Augustin Simon Sam, and
demanded in the name Of the German Emperor
that Mr. Inders be set at liberty, and also de-
manding for every day that he had spent IN
prison. twenty-three in all. an indemnity OF
$1,000 In gold. adding that for every day LIN
ders was kept a prisoner after that notlhca-
ton ne Che German Minister would demand
an indemnity Of $1,000 in gold. AT nrst, the
Haytian President refused to grant the German
Minister'S demand. and Mr. Linders remained
six DAYS longer in prison. This caused the Ger
man Minister to give notice 10 the Haytian Gov
ernment that as Mr. Linders had not been frced
he had hauled down his lag ana sent the ui
chives OF the German Legation to the Legation
OF the United States, thus breaking on all rela-
tions with the Haytian Government
This caused great deal or eNcltement III
Port An Prince and disturbances would nave
occurred had they not been averted ny sendhs
Mr. Linders who threatened with Iyhchlhs,
on board a steamer bound for New orK; rom
wb,cb mort he was to start Immediately for
Germany. leaving his case In the hands or tne
German Minister here. There the matter res.S
at present. but II Is said that the German MN
lister. on the arrival Of the expected warshlps,
viii insist upon the payment Of the indemnify
demanded as a result Of the imprisonment or
Mr. Linders.