The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-16
ECHOES FROM hAYTI
NOT VERY LOUD NOR YET VERY
DISTINCT
Drink, Smoke, Play Cards and Wait
for the United tates to Defeat
Spain
Associated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special Wire
PORT AU PRINCE. Hayti. May 15.-(Col
respondence (CopyrighD of the Associate
Press.) 1t is estimated that there are abou
1000 Cuban refugees in Hayti, the grea
majority, Of course, In this city. A sin
gular absence of enthusiasm is remarks
among them over the Intervention Of Amer
lea in behalf of their people. If hope 4
at the fever point, they do not show 1t. A
one special resort in Port au Prince Cuban.
Of nearly every class congregate in tn,
evening, drink. smoke, play cards, sing AM
talk Of the war. They evince by far less
excitement over hostilities than do thu
Haytiens, who group themselves daily, {
little before and a little after the hour Of
the siesta, in front Of the Restaurant de Ia
Paix and the Hotel Central and divide theil
attention between the movements Of tho
gold premiums and the achievements, &C.
tual and prospective, Of the Americans
The widest and strangest and most alb
surd rumors find ready currency In the
city The chairman Of the Cuban junta in
Haytiis DR.. E. J. Nunez. who declares him
self an American citizen. Another leadez
Of the junta is DR.. E. Hereaux. DR.. Nunes
is seriously considering the suggestion that
II the Cubans In Hayti would secretly or
ganize force to join the insurgents. the
United States would undoubtedly send
arms and munitions of war to some con-
venient point at the eastern end Of Cuba
for their use. They could pass from here
to Cuba in sailing vessels without much
a /, NJ Oan A hot n
Spanish cruiser had taken an American
three-master of the Mole st. Nicholas was
received in Port au Prince with absolute
incredulity, and thus far there has been
no confirmation of 1t.
About a week ago a former Haytien gen.
eral. ForsainviIle, called on the American
minister and offered to raise battalion of
500 men to serve under the American flag in
Cuba. He was informed that the Ameri-
can government would not authorize or
sanction the recruiting Of an armed force
in foreign country, as that would be a
fragrant violation of international law. OF
course, to equip and provision such force
after 1t had been landed in Spanish terri
tory would be different.
The report that the United States has me-
gotiated with the Haytien government for
the purchase of the gunboat Crete A. Pier
rot the finest vessel in the 1atter's navy,
has been persistently circulated. Admiral
Killeck, the highest naval authority Of
Hayti, told the correspondent of the Assoc
ciated Press yesterday that 1t was true,
and that the Haytien government had re-
fused the offer made to 1t, for the express
reason that it could not spare the vessel.
The craft has an imposing ram and her
armament is excellent, her guns being OF
the latest type. She has an entire compile
ment Of rapid-fire ordnance. Her officers
would like to serve in her under the Amer
lean flag. Her second officer is an Ameri-
can, who was in the Federal navy during
the civil war in the United States.
German Interest
German warships some time ago made
soundings in the principal ports of Hayti--
the Mole st. Nicholas, Cape Haytien, st.
Marie. Jermie and Jacmel. What Germany
might undertake to do in this part of the
world in the event of a general conflict of
nations, dread of which Lord Salisbury
Is said to have expressed in recent speech.
is a question that is occupying the atten-
ton of public men and Of well-informed
foreigners residing here, who do not doubt
that If America were involved on one side
Germany would send fleet to seize the
island.
German traders fervently cherish this
hope. Their feelings against the Haytiens
since the Lueders incident have been in.
tense, and, so far as volatile people is
capable of cherishing old scores, the ami
mostly is reciprocated.
OF all masters of vessels coming to Hay
ten ports, the Germans treat the native
port officers and stevedores with the least
and often with unconcealed
contempt. The wonder is that their atti-
tude does not oftener provoke conflicts.
Yet the Germans are by far the most nu-
merous class Of traders here. 1t may be
that this has not a little to do with the
action Of the government in conceding the
fulfllment of article of the treaty with
the United States. granting to Americans
the same commercial rights as are enjoyed
by the Haytiens. However this may be, Il
Ia certain that the concession will involve
the Haytien government in serious diff
culties with other nations, unless 1t does
the same by them. BY the concessions to
the Americans Hayti will lose about $50 900
in gold year on the revenue. In order to
treat other foreigners with like liberality,
she must devise new taxation. 1t looks
very much as IT, counting UPON the protee-
ton of the United States in case of need.
the foreign minister expected to refuse an
equal concession to other nations, on the
ground that the treaty Of 1864 is purely re-
each party making to the other
a specific return for special privileges
granted. But such an excuse is likely to
have little force II the West Indian waters
become the principal naval battlefield in
general war.