The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-04
Rebels May Delay the Attack On
Port au Prince City.
PLAN TO CAPTURE JACMEL
General Simen's Forces Would Seize
That Town Before Advancing
Further on Capital.

Port all Prince, Dec. 2.-Tho expect
ed battle between the revolutionists
and the troops of the government,
which are entrenched few miles out
side the city. is likely to be deferred
for several days. General Antoine
Simon, the commarder-in-chief of the
revolutionary forces, has decided to
attack Jacmel which lies thirty miles
to the southwest of this city, and
which is the only town that has re-
manned loyal in the Department of the
South, before resuming his march on
Port all Prince.
1t is believed, however, that the sit
uation, so far as the government is
concerned is lost. Louis Borno, the
minister of state, has handed in his
resignation and has taken refuge in
the German legation. and there, now
remain in Office only three OF the high
governmental officials, General Le-
conte, minister of the interior; Gen.
eral J.eleau, minister of justice and
public instruction. and General Marco
lin, minister OF finance and commerce.
ALI the other ministers have resigned
with the exception Of General Celes-
tin Cyriaque, who, after his recent
defeat at the hands of the insurgents,
Is believed to have found asylum in
one of the foreign consulates. 1t was
Louis Borno who took up the port
folio of state relinQuished by General
Sannon, when he sought refuge in the
French legation last March after ere
signing" He was credited with in
6ucing President Alexis to permit the
departure in safety of General Firmin
and the other revolutionary agitators,
who had fed to the legations and con-
sulates at Port au Prince and Go
naives at the time of the last upris-
Ing. ~ ~ o.. 49,
It is believed that the intention OF
the president in calling an extraordi-
nary session Of the chambers is to
have them name his successor. Presi-
dent Alexis favors either of two can
didates for the Office. General Tu-
tenne Jean GILES and Scion Menos, a
distinguished lawyer. But there is
doubt that quorum could be secured
because of the absence of the great
majority of the deputies and sena-
tors of the Department Of the South.
General Giles has been favorite OF
General Alexis and Is strong sup
porter of his policies. -: ,
Government Troops Desert.
The three divisions of government
troops entrenched at the crossroads
outside the city are being depleted
oy numerous assertions. While every
effort has been made to hold the
troops together and there have been
few outward signs of disaffection, the
government soldiers have taken the
FIRST opportunity to slip away. Some
Of these undoubtedly will join the in
surgent army. General Simon will
enter Port au Prince probably with
out striking a blow and it may be
without causing disturbance in the
order of things, If President Nord
Alexis takes his departure from the
city before the arrival of the enemy.
The situation will be critical if the
president elects to remain.
The arrival of the American cruiser
Oes Moines has given added assurance
to the foreign residents. The Des
Moines and the Tacoma represent the
United States here, while the French
training ship Duguay Trouin is watch
Ing French interests along the coast.
The British cruiser Scylla and the
Italian cruiser Fieramosca are expect
ed to arrive in port before the advanc-
ing army reaches the gates of the
city.
The president has angrily resisted
The counsels of his ministers and the
diplomatic representations which have
been made to him to give. up the
struggle He accuses War Minister,
Cyriaque with treachery and threat
ems, If the revolutionists attack the
city. to blow UP the palace. 1t is be-
lieved that there will be an uprising
against the government in Port au
Prince just as soon as General Simon
reaches the crossroads with his army.
Heretofore the people have been held
In subsection and almost terrorized
by the reputation Of General Leconte
Tor violent deeds. They have feared
that he would summarily execute any
one showing the Slightest leaning to-
wards the revolutionary movement,
but the proximity of General Simon's
army and the abandonment of Nord
Alexis by the majority Of the cabinet
has moved the balance in favor of
the insurgents and the people are
simply awaiting the opportunity to go
with the stronger side.