The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-09
LID ON VERY TIGHT IN HAYTI
WILL STAY ON As LONG As FOR
EIGN WARSHIPS REMAIN.

NOrd Alexis BrGinstOrm the Great Danger
His Enemies, Too, May Seek 10 I'm.
brOil Him NTH the Powers Ambitions
Of YOUNG HayHsns Make for safety.
PORT AU PRINCE, March 2I.-Conditions
in Hayti are Just now as peaceful az In
Connecticut, unless something has hap
pened up there which has not been heard
Of here. Foreign wanhips lie at anchor in
the harbor, the women continue 10 do all
the work, the men still earn a gourde a
week as individuals Of the army and the
foreigners are wondering why they we're
scared ten days ago over nmo Of a mas
saore OF the whites. The Government has
adopted a most concilatory attitude, prin-
cipally because Of the presence Of the war
ships.
The resident foreigners seem TO be di-
vided in opinion az 20 the seriousness OF
the recent crisis. There were rmors Of
a general killing Of whites and prepara-
tions we're made for defence in the event
turn loose. Then the British cruiser In
defatigable appeared on the scene and
absolutely nothing has happened since.
The warships will remain indefinitely and
ultimately some plan will be agreed upon
by the Powers which will provide for the
retention Of at least one foreign warship
in these waters unless Washington de-
cides to do the job alone. According to
the judgment OF the best informed for
eigners here as long as there ia a war
ship around there will he no trouble.
The Government has undoubtedly been
thoroughly frightened by the presence OF
the gunboats and cruisers, On the night
the Indefatigable came in, the 18th, there
we're FIVE army officers in Jail, aud there is
little doubt that the President intended
TO execute them. although there was to
be a military court-martial. The arrival
Of the British cruiser, how ever, caused
q p-ostponement Of the court-martial, and
the five prisoners had been %pardoned.
This step was taken merely for effect and
to show the mercy, fairmindedness and
leniency Of the great and good Alexis.
The most serious detail Of past happen
ings, one which seems to have pretty good
foundation, was an order Alexis gave on
the night Of the arrival Of the interchangeable
The President feared that a landing Of
bluejackets would be attempted, and he
gave orders that they should be attacked
II they came ashore. The British COM
mander, however, contemplated nothing Of
the sort.
1t now seems that there are only one
or two elements Of danger in the situation.
One is that President Alexis in a burst Of
rage. such as he undergoes frequently.
may order some atrocious deed, possibly
directed against the foreigners, and that
the younger and cooler members Of the
&C administration will be unable TO hold him
back. AleKis's word is certainly law He
is consulted about every detail Of the
Government and his subordinates generally
fear to argue with him on any point.
There are in the Government, however,
a number OF young men who have political
ambitions Of their own. They also under
stand things International and know that
the slightest anti-foreign demonstration will
mean the last OF the Republic Of Hayti.
and In consequence the death OF their own
ambitions. They will on this account do
all they can TO restrain Alexis in the event
he becomes a bit insane and 10 overcome
by a desire for bloOdshed.
The second element OF possible disaster
10 be the possibility Of some enemy
OF the Government starting trouble with
foreigners in order TO bring on an inter-
v~ention. This possibility, however, as we'll
the other, appears remote.
The Governments last move was quite
a diplomatic one. There are in the French
and German legations ssysnty-seven
refugees who fed to those places for safety
Immediately following the wholesale eGecu-
tions Of March IS. When the Powers took
a hand in the matter by sending w%arships,
the Government Immediately announced
that there were no charges against the
and that they might return TO their
in safety. The refugees, guided by
things that had gone before. refused to
the guarantee Of safety thus offered
by the Government. Since then the French
and German Ministers have tried to obtain
the Governments permission for the
voluntary embarkation Of the refugees,
This the Government until yesterday re-
fused. Then the French and German Minis
tiers were informed that II the refugees did
not accept the Governments guarantee
by to-day they would all be exiled and
to leave the country whether they
wished 10 do 30 or not. The Governments
position Ia perfectly tenable and will work
out as punishment Tor some Of those in the
legations who are merely posing,