The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-06
DEFEAT FOR THE REBELS
GEN. ALEXIS NORD'S HAITIEN
FORCES ROUTED NEAR LIMBE.
Post of the Government Artillery
Taken by ArtibOnites-GunbOa
Crete-a-PierrOt Called a Pirate.

that officer to prevent interference with
the worlds commerce as result of the
bitter insurrectionary struggle now il
progress in Haitien waters. Commander
McCrea was, from the nature of the case,
obliged to act without opportunity to con-
suit the Navy or the State departments,
but 1t is stated that his vigorous and eff
fectiye measures are thoroughly approved.
1t appears from the commanders report
he took under his charge the commerce of
nearly all of the European countries in
addition to that of his own. His attitude
toward Admiral Killick, the insurgent COM
mander, as revealed in the report, Is sig
nificant as indicating the adoption of a
stronger policy than has been pursued
heretofore in the treatment Of South and
Central American revolutions, which in
juriously affect the commerce of the world.
Commander McCrea's full report follows:
"Sir-In order to inform the insurgent
gunboat of my determination regarding
foreign interests, and seeing the vessel in
the offing, Aug. 10, 1 sent an officer out to
him with the following letter:
'Sir-I wish to give you notice that
am charged with the protection of British.
lldudL, Spanish, isuSSAoh
and Cuban interests, as well as those of
the United States. You are also informed
that am directed to prevent the lombard
ment of this city. without due notice, also
to prevent any interference with commerce
either by the interruption Of the tele-
graphic cables or the stoppage of steam
ers engaged in innocent trade with a
friendly power. All interference. excepting
with Haitien interests, / shall endeavor TO
prevent. Hoping there will be no necessity
for extreme measures, and also that a
peaceful solution may be arranged to save
the republic from ruin, 1 am, ETC..
Admiral Killick sent me the proclama-
ton of the newly formed 'conseil executif'
at Gonaives, also a notification to the con-
sular corps establishing a blockade of this
port and the following letter, which Is
translated into English, namely:
Commander received your note Of
to-day and have to assure you that 1t be-
comes necessary to back with my guns the
military forces now operating near Cape
Haitien. / would only do so after giving
due notice to the consular corps, as de-
manded by usages of civilized warfare,
and even then the firing would be on the
Notifications and not on the city. Con-
corning the stoppage of vessels entering
the harbor, 1 hasten to hand you the in
closed two documents, one bearing upon
the formation of the conseil executif, at
Gonaives, the other decreeing the port of
Cape Haitien in a state of blockade beg
you to communicate them to the members
of the consul corps residing in the city.
/ also hope for a peaceful solution of the
difficulty. In case ii should become neces-
sary for foreigners to evacuate the city
shall not fail to visit you and decide you
on the matter
He further told the boat officer that he
had that morning tried to heave to a
steamer not showing any colors by firing a
blank cartridge, but she turned and ran
away. He said he wished then to send a
communication to the American consul,
but afterward by messenger he learned
that the ship was the Paloma, carrying
delivery of which he claims the right to
prevent. He, further than to blockade de
facto, disclaimed any right or desire to in
terfere with foreign interests.
Upon receiving his note L was boarded
by the confidential interpreter and clerk
of Gen. Alexis Nord, who, in the latter s
name, asked me If l was going to capture
the Crete-a-Pierrot, as she had stopped
the provisional government. I declined to
tell him what 1 would do, but said: Il
shall now await instructions from Wash
ington.'
Minister Powell cabled me: 'Gonaives
government not recognized; Killick cannot
declare blockade of port. Inform him so.
Cuban, or foreign vessel that desires to
enter cape My reply to which was: Con-
ditions threatening ashore; consus urge
my immediate presence; blockade reported
utpdI pIttttutUt eXlSlS.
THE consuls lame on board, and L de-
livered to them the notice of blockade, ad-
visfng formal protest, which was duly
made. The consuls reported warnings and
placards showing existing hatred and earn
estly desired me TO keep my anchorage.
THE following dispatch from Mr.. Powell
was received at 100 D. m, the 18th inst:
Ignore Killick's blockade, see that for
eign vessels have free entrance to cape
act in accordance with these instructions
unless otherwise instructed by the depart
ment.'
81 replied: Regulations forbid transfer
ring responsibility. Await department S
decision; blockade apparently abandoned.
Later, on Aug. II, / received department
cable regarding unevenness of the block
ade, and since an American schooner had
come in reporting no blockade 1 consid-
cred blockade abandoned, cabling depart
ment and Minister Powell, also informed
consular corps officially that blockade was
Intellectual and could not be re-established
without another notice.
Later, Aug. II. l received an official noti.
fication from Gen. Alexis Nord that the
Crete-a-Pierrot was at Cagnette, about
nine miles distant. / ordered steam early
next morning and secured the best pilot
the consul could procure, as our charts
are old, scant and unreliable. Aug Is we
arrived at Cagnette. found the Crete-a.
Pierrot in port, but the pilot was unwilling
TO carry Us in. evincing much uncertainty
and nervousness. There being a fishing
boat near with an employe-of the Belgian
consul in her, sent Admiral Kilick the
following letter, at the same time inclosine
to him the protest signed by all the con
sular corps at Cape Haitien. NV lette,
ran:
Dear Sir-I came to ascertain youl
whereabout and to, if possible, deliver Il
you the decision of my government regard
ing your proposal TO blockade Cape Hal
tien. 1t is considered not effective ever
de facto blockade, and 1 am her,
TO tell you that the United States denie.
you the right to visit search any Amer
lean or other foreign vessel attempting Il
enter the harbor of Cape Haitien You
notice of blockade was defective as set
ting time for commencement or tn,
status of ships in harbor. L consider tina
one vessel so far from the base of sup
plies, cannot effectively blockade a place
for the blockading vessel must be con
stantly present except during a stress O
weather.
Hoping. for the sake of humanity. tina
you will not oblge me TO use the fore,
under my command. l shall be glad to ex
tend TO you any courtesies customary be
tween us sailors IL was my intention TO z,
| in and have a talk to exchange ideas blu
| the pilot L have does not feel sure of tn
channel and my charts are old and unre
| liable. Inclosed is the protest, signed b,
| all the consuls at Cape Haitien, which
promised TO deliver. Hoping you are wei
and that | may be Of service in a pacific
way. i am. etc
AFTER about three hours the Crete-a
! Pierrot came out and Admiral Killick sen
| an officer TO say he appreciated the condi
tons and admitted the inefiiciency OF tn
! blockade, which he now abandoned an,
would report to the conseil executif a
1 consuls. governor general. cabling the dc
Eartmsnt. My efforts in this AFFAIR hav