New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-10
TIE IA Y7IAN SITUATION
A COMMUNICATION AS TO RECENT
EVENTS FROM A CLOSE FRIEND
OF GENERAL FIRMIN
To the Editor of The Tribune:

To the Editor of The Tribune:
Sir: I have just received the following die
patch from Gonaives, the seat of the governmen,
of General Firnnin:
Crete-a-Pierrot sunk without explanation nv
German ship harbor of Gonaives. We are a.
and our cause gains ground daily Communicate
to the press
In making this communication to you he
lieve l ought to add some explanation, which
seems necessary in view of what has happened
The action OF the German ship Panther is SURELY
very severe, if we consider the circumstances
which gave rise TO it. Its purpose was the pun
ishnnent of Admiral Kilick for having seized the
arms and ammunition loaded on the German
steamship Markomannia at Port-au-Prince and
intended for Cape Haytien. Now, according to
the laws of Hayti, foreign vessels forbidden
tn engage in the coasting trade; so that the
Markomannia was acting in violation of the law
in transporting freight from one port of the re-
nubIjc to another. The Crete-a-P ierrot there
fore, was actually sunk for having prevented an
act forbidden by the laws of the country!
II is true that under other circumstances
about FIVE years ago. German guns forced the
annulnlent Of q judgment pronounced by the
Haytiau tribunals in the case Of Emile LUders
II is not 10 be imagined that the destruction Of
the Crate-a- Pierrot was chiefly with a view to
take vengeance for so-called insult to the
German flag but rather TO damage the cause
If General Firnnin, and that for several reasons
People here have not yet forgotten the feeling
caused in April last by the news that a Ger
man syndicate at Port-au-Prince had made a
contract with General Cincinnatus Lecomte. at
that time candidate for the Presidency. TO
furnish him with the money 10 advance his pre-
tensions TO the Office They have not forgotten,
either that this contract involved a general
concession Of the Haytian mines. a railway
leac aCFT he n1-
/ ST. Nicholas.
! N-ov this contract was actually put in force
~ The extent that q portion Of the funds WAS
| advanced before the 18th Of last May, the date
| on which the populace OF Port-au-PTince re-
! VOTED and drove out the Deputies and Senators
| who had lust voted for General Leconte. The
signers Of this famous contract offered their
support TO General Firnlin. but he promptly
refused H. This IS the cause OF their hate Tor
him and their plottings against his cause.
! certain element at Port-au-Prtnce is also
onnosed - the candidacy Of General Frnlir
because as they assert he would be likely, once
in power, 10 give Haytian foreign pohly pro
| rourced Franco-Anerican cast. This tehoetcE
in General Firmin. il seems 70 me, IS very E4t-
nraI The greater part Of the Hayttar pubic
| debt is in French hands, the two last ioal!s
| having been raised in Paris; on the otheF manu-
| the geogra phicaL economic and commercial STU
| erion Of Hayti is such that her people have
| great interest in strengthening the ponds Whtc3
/
| Tinted States. whom they have learned TO kno.'
| better in these recent times. The course Z,
events in Cuba has created a sincere feellhs
Of affection for the United STATES "He'0 oi'O-
| distrust and fear existed.
The cavalier fashion in which the Panther Has
i1st treated the Haytian flag does not aStohisA
| ms much. although we DO not see what glory or
| prestige the German flag can gam from l!e al
| Venture of last Saturday with me CI e g
/ Pierror Nevertheless such circumstances per
nit the whole HayJian people 10 rec24i the 80
that since their existence as an lsuep t 80
| nation they have always been treated WIN JUS
! tice and equity by the Americans anu It4e
| French in all questions in which they nave peeh
! concerned and that these two powerful Ael.o!.-
have never used their might against HayIis
| weakness - c-...-,,
| The Franco-American tendencies OF Genera
| FYrrnin then are justified. and ! can say thal
/ thew contribute seusbly 10 consolidate MS Popus
/ larity among his compatTlots, VINO dIst.u Vs., -,
| with reason candidates whom German Hlo-'''
| and influence seek to impose upon theIil.
| AS an example Of the nnan9uVres WIlGh aIs
| practised at Port-au-Prince, WIN 60 NJ
| what he opened a few days ago 10 ca 20 y.
| coal which was shipped from New orH on me
| Cuban steamship Lauenburg. cohsisheu 70 a
commercial house at GonalNes. me 800 a,H &c
| CaTIsed the confscation Of the coal whlch vas
WHOA ed az Pcrt-au- Prince. in spite OF the pro
| these gentlemen knew that they were not e1pu go.
! ing themselves 10 the fury OF the Cuoahs guns
| A. Pert-au-Prnce certain foreigners so IL
sinuate themselves INTO hayt'a M. ~ ro1,De
! nccunied by one OF the candidates. Win sucn
| effect that II the candidate should meet WIN
| CIV accident the Faytians would nave 10 oe
| prepared TO receive severe coIIeCtIoH ~, -.
| bands Of foreigners. Say what you Will ~ ;
| is revolving abuse of power against We"
| nation. ~ s.,, +, o-dA- that
.ha American public might be properly INFORMED
Of what is going on in Hay IdsrPH R1Ro1yL.
New-York, Sept. S, 1902.