The Indianapolis journal., 1899-08-25
A DESPERATE RULER.
Late President Of San Domingo
Showed No Mercy to His Enemies.

Washington Star.
Many interesting stories are told OF tho
late President Heureaux, of San Do
mingo. 1t was observed that when the
hrst announcement was made of his
sassination the consul representing the
San Domingo government in the United
States at New York said that he would
want official confirmation of the report be-
fore saying anything about it. This state
some years ago Heureaux, who was an alb
sollte dictator instead of a President. went
Out into the country somewhere. two or
three days distant from telegraph lines,
ana caused the report 10 be sent out broad
cast that he had been assassinated. The re-
suit was that his many enemies. including
the army officers and people of influence in
his household, were Jubilatlng and celebrate
ing the event with great glee. He took this
method of finding out just who were his
enemies and who were his friends, and the
result was that he had every person who
was jubilating over his DEATH whether
personal friend or enemy, killed when ne
came back.
Another story is told Of where he sus-
pected regiment of being disloyal TO him.
He ordered this regiment out on parade
and surrounded 1t with the rest of the army.
He thereupon made speech to the soldiers,
saying that all the officers of this regiment
We're found to be disloyal, and accordingly
ordered the men to kill the officers. This
was done very promptly, the men knowing
that their only hope of life was In obey
ing the order. He then told the men that
nonccmmissioned officers were disloyal and
ordered them shot, which was done by the
regiment he tnen QlNlQeQ the regiment up
into squads and had one squad Kill another
until the entire regiment was destroyed.
This regiment had Joined in a slight rebel
lion raised by some opponent OF Heureaux
and he had taken this method OF ridding
himself of Ii. 1t is needless TO say that
the balance Of the army. either through
fear or affection, remained loyal to him
after that.
An officer of the United States govern
ment was some years ago visitor In San
Domingo and became acquainted with Presi-
dent Heuresux and relates interesting con-
versations that he had with him. This visf-
tor asked him If he did not expect that he
might be assassinated some time on account
of the method of his government He re-
piled that probably he would be killed some
time, but his method was the only one by
which he could govern those people. and
that in killing off suspected enemies he was
merely prolonging mis- own life. He pre-
dicted that the time would come when he
would, of course be killed, but meanwhile.
he said, he would protect himself and his
government TO the best of his ability. The
visitor also asked him what would be the
result IL some man in the army or some
man other than he should become a candi-
date for President at the elections that are
held from time to time, and should make
speeches against the management or Heu-
reaux. Heureaux shrugged his shoulders
and said that such thing was not likely 20
occur But suppose IL should occur? per-
sisted the visitor. Heureaux made mo-
ton with his thumb across his throat, and.
without saying a word emitted a sound Ike
s-s-s-s-t, and then grinned In a nendish
sort of way. Heureaux never came TO the
United States, saying that he would not be
regarded as President of San Domingo, but
would be considered as a negro In the
States.