Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-03
HAITIAN CAPITAL
P|L[AGEO BY MOB
Stores and Residences Broken
Open and Robbed.
TWELVE RIOTERS SHOT
Citizens Led by Gen. Poidevin Fire
On LooteTs.
SIMON HURRIES TO CITY
Expected With His Army Tonight.
Five Foreign Warships Now
in the Harbor.
Citizens Led by Gen. Poidevin Fire
On LooteTs.
SIMON HURRIES TO CITY

PORT AU PRINCE. Haiti. December
3.-The stirring events of an exciting ard
historical day, that saw President Nord
Alexis driven from his capital with an in
furiated mob at his heels, were followed
by a night of lootng and pillaging in
Port au Prince.
The passions of the ropulace had been
aroused, and after being defeated in their
endeavors to do bodily harm to Alexis.
turned their attention to well stocked
storehouses and residences OF supporters
Of their late president. They were rapidly
getting out of hand when the authorities
succeeded in controlling the situation.
Twelve men We're killed before order
O'Clock this morning
The committee of public safety has
made an appeal to the moderation and
wisdom Of the population for the purpose
of avoiding foreign intervention. A num-
Der of the pillagers of last night have
been arrested.
The trouble began shortly after the
president had been escorted to the French
cruiser Duguay Trouin by NJ Carteron.
the French minister
Syrian Stores Looted.
People from the Belair and Salnes sec
tions of the city invaded the business
quarter and lost time in turning to the
work of pillage and robbery They di-
Vlded into bands and worked their way
down one street and up another, breaking
into the stores that offered the best
chances OF loot. The locks of doors that
barred their progress were broken with
rifle bullets.
The pillage was well under way by 8
clock, and by 10 O'Clock eleven stores
had been completely looted. Nine of the
establishments belonged to Syrians while
Haitians were the owners of the other
Two stores. The proprietorS stood by
helpless witnesses of the destruction of
their property. Goods were hauled on
INTO the street and divided among the
mob.
Fought Over the Spoils.
AS was to be expected the crowd be-
came enraged over the division of the
spolls and were soon fighting among
themselves. In these encounters four
men were killed
At 10 O'Clock the situation was very
threatening The looters were increasing
rapidly III number and it was feared the
disorder would spread over the entire
city. The people Were rapidly get ing
out of hand when Gen. Poidevin appeared
on the scene ana saved the situation. he
went nrst to police headquarters and or
dered detachment of men to follow him
TO the scene of the trouble. The police
however, refused. The general then got
together d number of courageous citizens.
haf nod.
also small detachment of loyal soldiers,
and at the head of this body of men he
marched on the looters.
The pillaSeTs were unaware of His ap-
proach. and the first intima ton that they
were to meet any opposition came to
them in the shape of 4 vClley from Gen
Pcidevin's command. Eight of the lcoters
feu at the first fire This onslaught broke
the spirit of the mob and the general
threatened 10 fire again tie crowd quickly
dispersed TO safer quarters
Mob in Residence Section.
While this was going on in the business
district another mob was looting the
ricn residence section of the city. The
residences of Gen. Coicou. Gen Gabriel,
Gen. GuiIlaume, NJ. Lefentant Gen. Mar
celin and Gen. Leconte were broken into
and plundered. This success seemed to
satisfy the crowd in the suburbs. for
i then dispersed without committing any
Al III o'clock the seminary of the priests
was surrounded by a menacinS crowd
demanding that Gen. Coicou be turned
over to il. The priests reply was that
the general was not there. Word
reaching Gen. Poidevin Of the threatening
situation at the seminary. he hurried
forward at the head of his detachment
OF citizens and soldiers, and on his ar
rival the crowd dispersed. At midnight
the city was comparatively quiet but
from that hour till daybredk there was
occasional rifle firing
Had these disorders broken out in the
daytime it is probab Q that armed forces
fron the American cruisers Tacoma and
DeS Moines and the French cruiser Du-
quay rouin would have been landed
As 1t was, no foreign sailors were sent
ashore.
Military Governor Appointed.
Gen Poidevin has been highly commend
ed for his firm stand which undoubtedly
saved the city from a general outbreak
OF plllaSe and incendiarism. The commit
tee of public safety held meeting early
this morning, and with the concurrence
or NJ. Carteren Gen. BoideVin was mad
military governor of Port au Prince
force sufficient TO maintain order in the
capital Will be placed at his disposal
Should a serious situation again arise
however. and ii appears that the mob
might get the upp l2nd. the conmitte.
promises 10 ask the foreign cruisers TO
send landing parties ashore.
Gen. Simon, the leader OF this successful
revolutionary movement, las been in
formed d OF the occurrences u YESTERDAY
At the head of his army o. 5000 men lie
is making forced march for Port au
Prince, and probably will arrive here this
evening.
The British cruiser Scylla and the
American gunboat Eagle came into port
ddEbreak TO-DAY. Their arrival oiV1S