New-York tribune., 1908-06-14
GENERAL FIRMIN TALKS
SAYS THE q. S. ERRED.
Feels This Country Did Not Under
stand True Situation IN Hdyti.

General Antenor Firrrlin, chief of the Pro-
gressive party of Hayti and one of that repub-
lies leading political figures, who has been in
this city several days incognito, gave TO me
Tribune yesterday the first statement ne mas
made since his arrival regarding the conditions
of his country, his political aims and those or
the members of the Progressive element of
Hayti.
General Firmin is only incidentally warrior;
he is a lawyer, scientist. diplomat and states
man. He also is the father" of the constitution
of Hayti. but he bears all his honors with
democratic spirit that is surprising in one who
some day may be the chief executive OF a. re-
public where political power has for many years
stood for tyranny and despotisn- He Is modest.
TOO, and 1t is because of his own request that
hereafter in this story he will be referred to
as Mr.. instead Of General Firmin, although as
the latter he has proved more than once his
ability and valor.
Mr.. Firmin has suffered for his efforts to
reform the politics of his country. He has been
in almost continual exile from Haytf since 1862.
when he tried TO depose the existing govern
nent Most of this period he passed in St
Thomas D. w. He led the movement that
was directed last March against President Nord.
which created international situation that
for some time assumed serious aspect
He took refuge in the French consulate at
reasons to deliver him up TO the Haytian gov
ernment. The attitude of the latter became so
menacing that the French government dis
patched to Gonaives a warship which took the
distinguished refugee from the consulate and
conveyed him safely to st. Thomas.
At that time the Haytian officials were taking
suspected fnsurrectionists from their beds and
sumnarily executing them. But the cause for
which these men died. Mr.. Firnin said yester-
fIar
ment Will burst out" And he will be its leader.
HERE ON ERRAND OF PEACE.
Mr. Firrnin said that his mission here was not
of a revolutionary character. He is on his way
to Europe to meet some friends. and while in
the United States he said he would try to clear
IN certain 1nisapprehensions existing in tins
country with regard to Hayti. This was the
object of his visit to Washington few days
,go when he met Secretary Root, Booker T
Washington and Mr.. Leger. the Haytian Min
ister His meeting with the last named, ne ex-
plained was accidental. and occurred While he
mas ar the State Department Notwithstanding
the opposition Of Mr.. Firmin to the government
that Mr.. Leger represents. the minister. who is
an old friend. entertained him as SUCH Mr.
Ffrrnin has long carried on a correspondence
u,itb Mr. washington on the subject that is Of
eouaI interest to both the uplifting Of their race.
IN which Mr. Firrnin thinks Mr.. washington Is
a great force
Az to the desire Of his party or his personal
desire TO have an American protectorate over
Havti as his enemies have asserted is MI. FIT
minis aim he declared it utterly without foun-
s.t,or His ambition is to see his country
u,reste6 from the sword and bayonet govern
,,ent Of President Nord, reformed and restored
80 ,+s neonIe IN its constitutional form. and
,u. he will play leading part in the con-
summation of this ideal, he has never advanced
,n,y claim, to head the government In fact ne
,..s noade II understood that this was not his
ambition
M pYrrnin is about ) feet inches in height.
with high. broad forehead, gray hair and snort
French beard. His physique might be called
coronact In the lapel of his coat he wears the
rad hutton of the Legion of Honor Of Franco
.peas ca don't refer to me as general, SAID he' 10
Tho tribune reporter. IT have not the temper OF
a., o,arar am a lawyer" And cursory
ro.,.+io, of the man would easily bear out
this statement
"Tbe Progressive party is strong" he said.
"and we are hopeful My visit here cannot be
isbt,v called a mission Hayti is a small coun-
80. and the United States has interest in
,,rotecting il than any of the powers of Europe,
which have only commercial interest tnere'
Their only desire is TO sell merchandise The
Irn,ted States has interest of proximity to our
+rv and has wider interest in moral
rd intellectual life. We have every reason TO
,,1,aya in the success OF programme. We
,,;are in the public institutions and advanced
.houebt and moral men, And those things are
characteristic and dominate the United States.
NO DESIRE FOR PROTECTORATE.
..,,,o believe in the good faith of this country.
hut that we invite or want a protectorate is UNI
- We could never accept any foreign pro-
..ora+e 1t is not a question of antipathy to
tba limited States. but there is involved grave
ornamental principle. And it ought TO be re-
,t,er.d at the same time that the interests
Continued O second page
r,vE.voRks FOR THE 4TH Cstalosues