The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-08
CREW ESCAPED AND SET
 FIRE ID SINKING VESSEL.
The German cunboat Was Under Or. ders to Either Capture or Sink the Flrminlst Boat and
 Acted Accordingly.
APE HAYrIEN, Hayti. septem-

Der 7.-The gunboat crete-a- ~ Pierrot, which was in the ser vice of the Firminist party. has been sunk at the entrance of the harbor of GonaIves by the German gunboat Pan- ther. Details of the occurrence are lack ing. The crew of the crete-a-Pierrot left her before she went down.
 The German gunboat Panther arrived at Port-au-P Prince September 5. It was announced from Cape Haytien September that the German steamer Markomannia. Captain Nansen, belonging to the Ham, burg-American packet company having on board arms and ammunition sent by the provisional government to Cape Hay tien, had been stopped September by the Firminist gunboat Crete-a-Pierrot at the entrance to the harbor of Cape Hay tien and that an armed force sent on board the steamer from the gunboat took possession of the war munitions in spite | of the protestatlons of Captain Nansen and the German consul.
 l The seizure of the Markomannia has been characterized as an act of piracy But dispatch from Berlin to the Asso- ciated Press, dated September 6. said German government circles did not take a tragic view of the seizure of the Ger man vessel but that satisfaction would be demanded. The foreign office agreed with the view held by the foreign repre- sentattves at Prince. said the dis patch. that the action of the Crete-a- Pierrot was piracy. but 1t was not then known whether satisfaction would be de- manded from General Firmin or whether the result of the revolution in Hayti would be awaited.
 Panther Acted Under Orders. l Pour Prince, September 7.-The Ger man gunboat Panther arrived here Sep tember and received instructions from the German government to capture tha Firminist gunboat Creat-a-Pierrot She left immediately for Gonaives. the seas of the Firminist government. The Pan- ther found the Creat-a- Pierrot In @ | AoA bot OA 1oHdlNSs dIlQ lut CDIuIudnQeH of the German gunboat informed Adn.- ral Killick or the Crete-a-Pierrot that he must remove his crew and surrender his vessel in five minutes. Admiral I<illick asked that this time be extended to fif- teen minutes. This request was granted on the condition that the arms and muns- tions on board the Creat-a-Pierror shouiu be abandoned when her crew left
 hA af f1&A (NN~ the vessel amid great disorder. At the end of fifteen minutes the Panther sent small boat carrying an officer and twenty sailors, who were to take possess sion of the Firminist gunpoar When these men had arrived at point about thirty yards from the. Crete-a- Pierror flames were seen to break out on board of her. She had been fired by her crew before they left her The Panther then fired on the Crete-a- Pierrot until she was completely immersed. thirty shots, all told, were fired.
 There is much feeling here against tho Firminists and their cause is considered to be bad one. Soldiers are leaving here to attack St. Marc. Port-au-PrInce Is calm.
 Was Intention to Sink Her.
 Cape Haytien, Hayti, September Lot, ncers of the steamer Paloma, which left Port-au-Prince yesterday evening say the German gunboat Panther arrived there Friday afternoon and left Saturday morning at o'clock after having cleared for action. She went to secure the Crete a-P1crrot
 Letters received from Port-au-Prince intimate that it was the intention of the Panther to sink the Firmiuist eun5oat.
 Roosevelt Has Nothing to Say.
 Chattanooga, September 7-As soon as the above Associated Press dispatch was received it was shown to President Roosevelt while he was at church A re- porter visited the Read house where the President Is stopping tonight. after the services. The President had retired but Secretary Cortelyou stated that the Pres ident had nothing to say about the mat ter at the present time.
 No Complications Will Arise.
 Manchester. Mass, September 7.--Count Quadt Wykradt Isny, of the German em- bassy, was seen tonight in relation to the sinking of the gunboat Crete A. Pier rot by the German gunboat Panther. He said that he had not heard of the incl dent until so informed by the Associated Press and for this reason was not pre- pared to make any statement. He did say. however: T have given the matter little thought as it is entirely outside of this country and for that reason do not expect to receive advices concerning it from my government While I do not care to make any prediction as to the outcome, I feel quite sure and perfectly safe in saying that no international com plications will arise with this country. This is all l care to say in regard to the affair.""
 Minister to Report.
 Washington, September 7--The destruc- tion of the Crete-a- Pierrot without doubt will be made the subjecs or an official report to this government by United States Minister Powell, who is now at Port-au-P Prince. Pending the receipt of
 fConflnued on aecond Panal