The Mena weekly star., 1908-03-19
TAKING NO CHANGES
AMERICAN AND OTHER WARsHIps GATHERING AT PORTS IN
 HAITI.
THE SITUATION IS DECIDEDLY GRAVE
Dispatches to Washington State That the Haitien Government Now Re. fuses to Permit Refugees in Foreign Legations to Leave the country- A Massacre Still Feared.

Legations to Leave the Country A Massacre Still Feared.
 Washington, Mar. 18.-The Haitien situation is described by the state dc partment officials Tuesday as decid- edly more grave than at any time since the revolution has been in progress there. Dispatches received early in the day are to the effect that the Hail tien government has reversed its deci- sion to allow the refugees in the for eign legations to leave the country. They will not be allowed to do so.
 As further protection to American interests in the island, the cruiser Des Moines was ordered to proceed at once to Port Au Prince from Guantanamo. The gunboat Eagle was dispatched there Monday. It is estimated the Des Moines can make the trip in approxi. mately 15 hours. The only instruc. tions given are that American inter- ests shall be protected.
 The following is the substance of the dispatch from Minister Furnish as given out at the state department:
 The government has withdrawn permission for the refugees at Gonai- yes to embark on the ground that a plot has been discovered against the government which was fomented by a revolutionary general Firmin from the French consulate at Gonaives Eleven ma ha hnnn Vxhn oli to have been conspirators. These exc cutions have caused great uneasiness among all circles. A special military court has been convened to try the military officials arrested yesterday"
 It is the impression of officials here that the Haitien government will make short work of this trial and that more executions are likely to follow. While the situation is regarded here as eb- bracing little of international import ance. it is recognized that the use of foreign consulates by political refugees particularly after the local government makes the direct charge that such places of refuge are being made head quarters for continuing revolutionary endeavors, brings squarely to the front the question of the wisdom of granting refuge is any event. The position of this government is decidedly against such practice.
 Paris, Mar. 1S.--Oficial dispatches received here from Haiti indicate that the situation there is still critical for foreigners NJ. Carteron, the French minister, reports that fresh ex- cautions occurred Monday night, but he does not give the number. He says that previous to Monday night 27 had been executed. He describes M. Lecomts, the new minister of the in terior, as "bloodthirsty." Further re- prisals are feared and there Is still danger of attack on the foreign lega- tions and consulates. The French cruiser D'Estres is expected at Port Au Prince momentarily and 1t is re- ported there that an American war ship had already arrived at Gonaives.
 Port Au Prince, Mar 1S.-Two for tlSn ha'C oiif'SN hSANf fH> British Indefatigable and the German Bremen. The first came in Monday night and the German vessel arrived Tuesday morning. The coming of for eign ships of war to Port Au Prince Is surprise to the people. The lives of foreigners are not considered to be in danger. Tuesday the situation is tranquil.
 The Indefatigable steamed into the harbor at 8 o'clock Monday night and announced her arrival by three cannon shots. These detonations at this late hour created a small panic in Port Au Prince, but calm was quickly re- stored as soon as the reason of the firing was made known.
 London, Mar lS.-A brief dispatch was received at the foreign office Tues day from the English consul general at Port Au Prince saying that the outbreak ir Haiti was anti-foreign in character.
 Railroad Bonds Eliminated.