Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-11
This Government to Stand
Aloof From the Fight.
WILL NOT INTERFERE
AMERICAN INTERESTS WILL BE
PROTECTED.
The Montgomery to Go to Port au
Prince-Commander McCrea Re
ports to Secretary Moody.

Commander Henry McCrea. whose admir-
able handling Of affairs at BOcas del TOro
and IN Haiti brought forth praise not only
from American officials. but also from the
German government, has arrived in Wash
irgton and was closeted with Secretary
Moody for some time after the depart ment
closed for the day yesterday for the pur-
pose of giving the Secretary the benefit of
his close personal observation of the state
OF affairs in the turbulent countries in the
south, and of making suggestions as to the
best means of meeting future emergencies
H. those quarters
Commander McC'rea expressed the opin-
ion that the destruction of the Firminist
eurbuat Crete-a Pierrot simpIified the sit
uaffon considerably as it reduced future
operations To an entirely military basis.
neither of the contending parties now hav-
ing any naval representation. While the
outcome was prObematical. Commander
McCrea thought the situation favorable to
the FirminiSz movement, as their leader,
Gen. F'irmiu. was an able who had
en- enthusiastic following The commander
expressed serious doubts to the accuracy
of the statement that Admiral Killick went
down with his ship. His vessel was in a
locality favorable to the FirminiSt party
and Mr. McCrea thinks the admiral i'll all
probability escaped ashore and IS now
safe
To Settle It Themselves.
II ia generally accepted here that the Sc
we're blow dealt the F'irminist party in the
destruction of the Crete-a-Pierrot by the
German government has been offset by the
action of the United States government in
declining to recognize the decree of the OPP
position party as represented IN the pro
VisiOnal government. closing Gonaives and
other ports in the hands of the Firmnist
party. The object of the provisional gov
eminent was to prevent the Firmin party
from securing further supplies of arms and
ammunition.
II was figured out that 1t would be an
easy matter TO overcome the FirministS
when their supplies were exhausted.
The action Of the United States government
has. however. interfered with the execu-
ton of that plan. Unless Germany or
some other foreign government attempts to-
interfere In Haiti II is the purpose of the
United States administra ton TO hold alOOf
81 long as American interests are not mo-
Tested. ard TO allow the people to settle
their political disputes i'll their own way
just has been always done in similar
situations in Central and South American
countries.
Withdrawal of the Cincinnati.
The withdrawal of the Cincinnati will
leave the United States without military
representation in Haiti and is accepted
an indication that neither of the contendng
terests in any respect a short time ago
Two American warShipS were in Haitian
waters-the Cincinnati and the Machias-
and some surprise is expressed that both
have been withdrawn during the existing
crisis. The official explanation is that there
Il no longer any special necessity for war
ship in Haiti. and that the Cincinnati is the
only available vessel for immediate service
at Colon. where United States interests are
much more important.
The Montgomery to Be Sent.
II il realized that Notwithstanding the alb
s-nce of Haitian navy on either side there
l. danger that some of the ports where
American property interests are large may
eventually suffer because Of the practice
which has grown up in the course of recent
rebeliioas of burning towns before evacuat-
ing them. Therefore it has been decided
to send the gunboat Montgomery to replace
the Cincinnati at Port au Prince. The
Mont gomery has just finished participation
in the maneuvers and is being overhauled
at the New York navy yard. Allowing
couple g days. IN which to coal and fit out
she could probably reach Port au Prince In
about ten days. provided she starts without
undue delay. Some officials think d vessel
Is constantly needed at Haiti. not alone to
keep a watchful eye on the native contes-
tauts. but also to See that there is no inter
ference in the political status of the coun-
Try by any of the foreign war ships cruis-