The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-02
Take Possession of Capital and
Choose a President.
NOT A SHOT is FIRED.
Deposed Head of the Nation
Still at the Palace.
Cabinet Members Take Refuge
at Foreign Legations.

of Port au Prince have revolted
against the government. They are
now in possession of the city. There
has been no fighting with the govern
ment troops.
A provisional government has been
established and General Legtime has
accepted the presidency of the new
administration.
The events of the morning came be-
fore they were expected. Uncasiness
was noticed throughout the night on
the part of the people, but it was not
thought that the outbreak would oc-
cur so quickly nor that the movement
would be successful without the she'd
ding of a drop of blood.
The depoSed president, Nord Alexis,
Is stiIl at the palace. The members
of the diplomatic corps were in con-
ference at o'clock for the purpose
of taking measures to facilitate and
hasten the departure of Nord Alexis
from the republic.
The coup has been remarkably sue
cessful. All the remaining ministers,
together with the high military Off
cials under Nord Alexis, have taken
refuge in the various foreign legations.
These are the same men who nine
months ago were protesting Vocifer-
ously against the granting of the right
of refuge to unsuccessful revolution
lists by the foreign diplomatic and con-
sular representatives. Today they are
only too happy to seek the protection
of foreign flag to escape the fury of
the people. The only man to remain
loyal to Nord Alexis is General Camille
Gabriel, his nephew. who for the last
six months has directed the policy of
the Alexis administration. Gabriel is
at the palace with Alexis.
The movement had been we'll organ
ized. The final preparations We're
completed last evening and in the
early hours of the morning bands of
citizens. organized and armed. moved
quietly about the town and took pos
session of various points of vantage.
At 8 o'clock last night there was an
outbreak of rifle firing in the suburbs
and it was thought that the conspiracy
had been discovered and that the
fighting. had begun. This was. how
ever, false a afarm- Excitement reign.
ed for a while, but it was soon learned
that the firing came from an over
jealous patrol. With this exception
the night passed quietly and there was
nothing to indicate to the authorities
that the citizens were preparing to
take possession of the city at day
break
The movement was directed by Cen
eral Canal, member of the senate.
1t is a remarkable fact that not shot
was fired. The soldiers of Nord
Alexis saw that the rebels had the
upper hand and they quickly let it
be seen that they had no intention of
starting a fight that undoubtedly
would have resulted in much blood
she'd The presence of the American
the French cruiser Duguay Trouin
undoubtedly had a restraining in
f1uence.
The citizens are in possession of the
central police station and all the other
police outposts, the arsenal and the
port. These bodies of men are all
we'll armed and well supplied with
ammunition. The fact that they are
thus prepared shows the thoroughness
with which the movement was or
ganized.
AS soon as the success of the move
ment was established a number of
prominent citizens held a meeting and
formed a committee of public safety
and the maintenance of order in Port
Au Prince is now in the hands of this |
body. General Legtime, president of |
the provisional government was at
once made president of the republic. |
The fact that Nord Alexis's minis !
ters deserted him at the last moment |
did not come as complete surprise. |
defections of the last two or three |
days showed clearly what might be |
expected.
General Jules Coicou the military |
among the refugees as is also General |
Hacinthe. Coicou is the man who |
caused the assassination of his own |
brother and two of his cousins last /
cessful revolutionary movement that
broke out at that time, and Hacinthe |
Is the official who presided at the
wholesale execution that followed the
suppression of this outbreak He has
taken refuge at the German legation
General Leconte, minister of the in
terror, and M. Lafentant. one of the
personal advisers of Nord ALEXIS took
refuge in the French legation last
night. General Marielin. minister of
finance and commerce, also is a
refugee.
No change in the position occunied |
by the rebels has been reported since
last evening. They were then about
thirty miles from Port Au Prince
General Simon. leader of the present
movement is expected here at any
moment.
Uncle Sam VIII Move Slowly.
Washington, Dec. 2-The news of tho
establishment of a provisional govern |
prise at the state department The
policy of the United States covering q
long term of years has been to proceed
very slowly in the recognition of pro
visional governments as it has ALWAYS
been deemed wise to wait until it couId
be seen that such governments have
the support of the people and are able
to perform all necessary government
tai functions during sufficient period
to give confidence in its stability. Act
ing upon this precedent it is not likely
hurry to recognize the government of
General Legtime.
Mob Besicges the Palace
Port au Prince. Dec. ,. II a. m
The people of Port au Prince have
turned against Nord Alexis. The pal
ace is surrounded by an infuriated
mob calling upon him to leave the 4