The Washington times., 1902-07-23
Unsettled Conditions in
South American Coun-
trlesCauslng Demand.
PUZZLED BY HAITIAN ROW
Hard Worked Marietta Finally Decided
on as the 0liy Available Craft-Or-
dered to Cape Haitien, Where Consul
Calls for Help.

There is more trouble down In Hayti.
where the political situation is a thing
SO wonderfully complicated that nobody
here is a2ie TO understand l.,
| A telegram was received at the State
| Department today from Lemuel W. Liv-
| ingstcn. the United States Consul at
Cape Haitier, in which he said that an
American naval vessel was urgently
: needed to protect foreigners. Troops
and Haytien warships were approach
ing to attack the town. the consul re-
ported, and foreigners were excited and
apprehenslve about their safety.
In view of their meagre information
about conditions at Cape Hsitien. the
officials CT the State Department can
add nothing to explain Mr.. Livingston's
message.
Navy Department in Quandary.
The officials CT the Navy Department
were in a quandary when they were in
formed by Acting Secretary of State Hill
hat Consul Livingston was badly in need
Of a ship. There wasn't an available
war vessel anywhere near Haiti. The
nearest was the Machias at Colon, but,
in view OF the disturbed condition Of
affairs on the Isthmus of Panama. where
this Government has had greater inter-
ests since Congress selected the Panama
route for an interocoanic canal, the
naval officials at first thought il mad
visable to take her away.
The only other gunboat that might be
used was the Marietta. which arrived at
Laguayra, Venezuela. few days ago
to assist the cruisers Cincinnati and
Topeka in protecting American citizens
and their property during the very crit
ical condition of politial affairs that ex-
lists in that perturbed country.
After carefully considering the matter.
however, the department decided to or
der the Machias to Cape Hayt!en. and 10
send the Marietta to take her place at
Colon. leaving the Cincinnati and To-
peka to look out for things in vene-
zuela.
The Marietta has gone to Carupano,
venezuela. to rake observations. and
as soon as she returns to Laguayra
from this mission she will fill up with
coal and start for Colon.
Latin-AmcIica Unsettled.
to furnish ships enough to protect
American interests during the present
unsettled condition of political Affairs
in Latin-American countries has sery-
ed to emphasize. in the minds of naval
officials. the necessity for more small
gunboats. Insu-recticns are now going
on in Venezuela, Colon ria. and Haiti,
and disturbances have occurred in Nj
ca-agga. which not only Indicate that
q revolutionary party IS making p-epa-
rations 70 overthrow the Government
but that war may occur between Ven
ezuela and Colombia
The embarrassments which have teen
caused by the lack Of a sufficient num-
Der of gunboats for service in South
Africa. Central America. and the West
Indies have teen illustrated By the re-
cent experiences of the Marietta and
the Machias.
The Marietta was originally ordered
to proceed to Colon to relieve the Ma
chias. which had teen kept in tropical
waters so long that her officers ami
crew We're very much run down Before
she started news came of a olulion-
ary outbreak in Haiti. and. cancellins
the original orde S. the Navy Depart
nent directed her to go to Cape Haitien-
HTde-e1 TO Panama.
After she had been there fc- a while
md the disturbances in Hayti had ap-
,arently ceased the departme Mt thought
t safe to again direct her to go to Coon.
iews came Just then. however. that thsre
vas trouble in Nicaragua. caused by the
anding of party of insurgents which
lad been brought TO Bluefie.ds by Coiom-
instructed to touch at BlCefelds and
iraytown on her way to the IsthIius Of
'anama.
But before she had started an urgent
all came from the United States Minis
er to Venezuela for a vessel small
rough to be used in visiting disturbed
'orts. which the Cincinnati and Topeka
ould not conveniently enter. No ether
essel than the Marietta was available.
nd as the condition of things in Vcne-
uela was regarded as of greater moment,
he orders of the little ship were again
hanged. and she was directed to proceed
o Laguayra.
Machias in Isthmian Waters.
In the meantime the officers and crew
# the Machias sweltered in isthmian
waters. On account of the unhealthi-
less of that enervating climate. the de-
,artment officials were fearful that an
,pidemic would break out On board the
iessel. The department, however. had
10 other snip to send to Colon and it
vas regarded as important that an
American war vessel should remain
here.
During the several months that the
.achias has been doing duty in Colon
,ia. her officers and men have seldom e
,een permitted to go ashore. and their
confinement on ship
,oard has had a very depressing effect.
he naval officials are hopeful that the :
Iaitien trouble will be of short dt;ra-
len. and as soon as danger is believed