Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-05
STORIES OF HEuREAux.
Character of the Late President of
sac DnIsiav


Many interesting stories are told of the
late President Heureaux of San Domingo.
1t was observed that when the first an
nouncenent was made of his assassination
that the consul representing the San Do
mingo government in the United States, at
New York, said that he would want official
confirmation Of the report before saying
anything about it. This statement by the
consul recalls the fact that some years
ago Heureaux. who was an absolute die
tator instead of a president, went out into
the country somewhere, two or three days
distant from telegraph lines, and caused
the report to be sent out broadcast that he
had been asscs siuated The result was that
bis many enemies. Including the army off,
GERS and people of influence in his house
hold. were jubila ting and celebrating the
event with great giee. He took this method
OF finding out just who were his enemies
and who were his friends and the result
was mat ne had every person who was
Jupiiating over his death, whether a per-
sonal friend or enemy. killed when he came
back
Another story is told of where he suspect
ed regiment of being disloyal to him.
ne ordered this regiment out on parade
and surrounded it with the rest of the
army He thereupon made a speech to the
soldiers saying that all the officers of this
regiment were found to be disloyal and ac-
coroihsly ordered the men to kill the Off
GERS. rms was done very promptly the
men Knowing that their only hope of life
was IN obeyng the order He then told the
men mat on-commissioned officers were
disioyal and ordered them shot which was
done by the regiment. He then divided the
regiment up into squads, and had one squad
XII another until the entire regiment was
destroyed This regiment had Joined In a
slight rebellion raised by some opponent of
Heureaux, and he had taken this method of
ridolng h1mseif of it. Ii is needless to saw
mat the balance of the army. either
through fear or affection. remained IoyaI
to him after that
An officer of the United States govern
1neht was some years ago visitor in San
domingo, and became acquainted with
President Heureaux and relates interest
ing conversations that he had with him.
Ihls visitor asked him if he did not expect
mat ne might be assassinated some time
on account of the method of his govern
ment: He replied that probably he would
pc Killed some time but his method was
the only one by which he could govern
those people, and that in killing off sus-
pected enemies he was merely pro1onging
MS own life. He predicted 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
pest OF his ability. The visitor also asked
hlm what would be the result if some man
IN the army or some man other than he
should become a candidate for president
at the elections that are held from time To
Time, ard should make speeches against
the management of HeureauX Heureaux
shrugged his shoulders and said that such
thiils was not likely to occur. But sup
pose 1t should occur?' persisted the Wis
ltor HeureauX made a motion with his
thufnb across his throat, and without say
ing word, emitted a sound like s-s-s-s-t.
ana then grinned in a fiendish 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