The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-16
WAR ECHOES FROM HAITI.
Cuban Observation-Disclosures POwelPs
Warning to the Government.


Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti May SIT is
estimated that there are about 1000 Cuban
refugees in Haiti, the great majority, of
course, in this city. A singular absence of
enthusiasm among them over the interven-
ton of America in behalf of their people
has been remarked. If hope is at the fever
point they do not show it. AT one special
resort in Port-au-Prince Cubans of nearly
every class congregate in the evening" drink
smoke, play cards, sing and talk of the
war. They evince by far less excitement
over the hostilities than do the Haitians
who group themselves daily, a little before
and a little after the hour of the siesta in
front of the restaurant De la Paix and the
Hotel Central and divide their attention be-
tween the movements of the gold premium
and the achievements, actual and prospec-
tive, of the Americans. The widest and
strangest and most absurd rumors find
ready currency in the city. Not one in ten
when traced anywhere near its source
proves to have a serious foundation
Whether the Cubans invent the majority of
these, in competition with the Spaniards at
Havana. it is impossible to say
The chairman of the Cuban Junto in Haiti
is DR.. j. E. Nunez, who declares himself
an American citizen. Another leader of the
Junto is DIR. E. Heraux. DR.. Nunez is
seriously considering the suggestion that if
the Cubans in Haiti would secretly organ
ize force to join the insurgents the United
States would undoubtedly send arms and
munitions down to some convenient point
at the eastern end of Cuba for their use.
They could pass from here to Cuba in a
sailing vessel without much danger of cap
ture. A recent rumor that Spanish cruiser
had taken an American three-master off the
Mole st. Nicholas was received in Port-au-
Prince with absolute incredulity, and thus
far there has been no confirmation of it.
1t is hardly believed that any single Spanish
war ship would venture within reaching dis
lance Of the American squadron in the West
Indies.
About week ago former Haitian gen.
eral, Dorsainville, called on the American
minister and offered to raise battalion of
SEQ men to serve under the American flag in
Cuba. He was informed that the American
government would not authorize or sanction
the recruiting of an armed force in for
eign country, as that would be a fragrant
violation of international law. OF course,
to equip and provision such force after it
had landed in Spanish territory would be a
different thing.
The report that the United States gov
eminent has negotiated with the Haitian
government for the purchase of the gunboat
Crete A. Pierrot, the finest vessel in the
latters navy has been persistently circulat-
ed. Admiral Killeck. the highest naval Off
Ger of Haiti, told the correspondent of the
Associated Press yesterday that it was true,
and that the Haitian government had re-
fused the offer made to it for the express
reason that 1t could not spare the vessel.
The crete a. Pierrot. named after one of
very handsome lines. and when she is in
the harbor always attracts more than any