Evening star., 1902-08-08
COMM ANDER. MeCREA
INSTRUCTED TO PREVENT CUT
TING HAITIAN CABLE.
Application of the Telegraph Company
for observation-disclosures Adee
and Darling Consult.

The United States and Haitian Telegraph
and Cable Company has appealed to the
United States government to prevent the
cutting of its cable at Cape Haitian. Ac-
cording TO information received by the
cable company in New York the Haitian
gurbcat Crete-a-Perriot, which is under
the command of Admiral Killick, who ha s
Joined allegiance with the revolutionary
government under General Ffrm!n, and
who has been appointed secretary of war
and navy under the revolutionary govern
ment, intends to sever the company's cable
between Cape Haitian and New York. The
company APPEALED to the authorities here to
instruct Commander McCrea of the gun
boat Machias to protect the cable from
violence.
Acting Secretary Of State Adee and Act
ing Secretary Of the Navy Darling held a
conference over the matter and decided
that 1t was proper for this government, in
the protection Of the International interests
involved, to issue the instructions, and ac-
cordingly cablegram was prepared and
sent to Commander McCrea, directing him
TO prevent, II possible, the cutting of the
cable. The letter Of the cable company to
the Navy Department was as follows:
Il have the honor to inform you that
have just received advices from our super
intendent at Cape Haitian Of rumor
which Is afloat, to the effect that the Hal
tian gunboat Crete-a -Pierrot Intends cut
ting our cable between Cape Haitian and
New York. l am also Informed that the
MachiaS is at present anchored in the hsr-
Dor Of Cape Haitian, and L respectfully re-
quest you to instruct the commander of
that warship to protect our cable from any
acts OF violence on the part Of the Haitian
gunboat. (Signed) HERNAND BEHIC."
On Account of Affiliations.
The Haitian Cable Company is understood
to be a French concern, and under ordi-
nary circumstances it's interests would be
looked after by the French government.
which has the Suchet and several other
war vessels in West Indian waters But the
company has American affiliations and a
large amount of American business passes
over it's lines. Some of this business is for
the United States government, which uses
this line in part to maintain its communica-
tions with war vessels at various points in
the West Indies 1t is also a partial de-
pendence for government communication
with Porto Rico.
Under these circumstances the State and
Navy Department officials have felt that
the protection of this cable came within the
general policy of protecting American in
terests. 10 some extent also principal of
the monroe doctrine is involved, as it car
RES out the general purpose of this govern
ment TO maintain order and preserve prop
erty SO far as this can be done without In
ter1erlng with any of the sovereign rights
OF the people of the southern countries,
Inc action of this government is said to
De IN line with the suppertathus far given
10 the provisional government set up by
Fasquez, and at the same time it may
prove a decisive check to the ambition of
Gen flrmin's revolutionary party, of
winch Admiral Killick Is the naval head
some time ago Minister Powell advised the
state department that he and other mem
oefs OF the diplomatic corps had recognized
Vasquez and his cabinet as constituting
the de facto government of Haiti. Later
this provisional government sought to out
law the revolutionary forces and pro-
CANNED Admiral Killck a pirate, REQUEST
ing our naval vessels to apprehend him as
such. rms request was not complied with,
But While declining to go to the extent of
treating Admiral kilick as a pirate. the
authorltles here had no hesitation in pre-
venting him and his rebel craft from com
mttlng laWless depredations, particularly
IN view of the indirect Interference with
American interests. The United States has
always maintained the right to cut cables
as an incident to warfare. But this right
is one exercised by government in their
sovereign capacity, and 1t could not be
CANNED, 1t is contended, by revolutionary
force having no international status as
belligerents.