The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-19
HURRY SIGN TO THE WARSHIPS.
Consul at GOnAIVes Finds n Way TO Get =
Telegram to Paducah's skipper.

PORT Az PRINCE, April 1t.-ln every revo-
luton in the tropics there is some ludicrous
incident which oonyulses the northern
reader and conveys a wrong impression OF
the situation. The fighting sometimes is
Of a very serious character. Thus there
was a fight in Santo Domingo once in which
IS per cent. OF the entire forces engaged
we're killed or wounded.
But the peculiar and funny things do
happen In spite Of the bloodshed, and the
recent Haytian troubles have produced a
couple Of incidents that would do for a
comic opera. One happened when the
British cruiser Indefatigable came into
Port au Prince harbor after dark and fired
three shots TO announce her arrival. The
town was turned inside out by the occur
renee, as every one thought a fight was on
for sure.
The other happening, which it is believed
here has not received proper publicity.
| occurred in Gonaives several weeks ago.
Gonaives 10 some miles north OF Port au
| Prince and was the centre Of the revolu-
| tionary movement which was begun by
Anton Firmin In January.
The al airs Of the United States are looked
after at Gonaives by J. William Wool, a
native Of Hayti, but appointed Consular
Agent at Gonaives as from Massachusetts,.
His real home is in Gonaives and his office
is on the side, 90 to speak, for II pays only
fees, which last year totalled $500.
Well, the revolution was getting along az
we'll as could be expected about this time
and the gunboat Eagle from Guantanamo
put in to see about the situation. The Con-
sul and others there we're considerably
alarmed and feared an attack. The COM
mander Of the Eagle made an arrangement
with Mr.. Wool to land forces in the event Of
trouble.
THE sign Of distress the world over, Mr..
Consul, said the businesslike naval officer,
lie the ensign upside down, and II you want
to bring me ashore in hurry just go up on
the roof and turn the flag A Then
we'll come 70 you
The revolution went along, but there
was no serious trouble and the consulate
was never in danger. After q while the
Eagle went away. Some days later the
little gunboat Paducah arrived at Gonaives.
A British ship was there too, al well as the
! French cruiser D'Estrees. 0hiciAl visits
were made ashore, and then the warships
Just settled down TO remaining around for
a while.
One day there came a telegram for the
skipper OF the Paducah. II was delivered
at the consulate and the Consul wanted to
hand II personally to the ships captain.
But there happened TO be at that moment
no ready way Of getting a message out into
/ the harbor.
Mr.. Consul was puzzled, and besides, it
was hot and very uncomfortable TO move
about. He remembered the words Of the
commander Of the Eagle. The ensign
upside down will bring u.s. .
Here was the solution. Up TO the roof
went Mr.. Wcel. He pulled down the
haq, turned IL over and hoisted IL again.
Then he walked down to the wharf with the
telegram in hs hand.
On the bridge Of every warship in the har-
Dor there was a bluejsoket with glasses
keeping a close watch on the city. The
change In the flag was noted instantly.
BuElss blew on the BHtishsr, the American
and the Frenchman. II was Assembly
fryt and the word was passed to prepare a
landing party.
In eight minutes thrpescore or mora
British bluejaokets tumbled out Of the big
pulling boats onto the wharf and the Ameri-
cans and Frenchmen were scrambling down
| the gangwAys Of their vessels into their own
cutters as fast az could be. The sailors were
armed TO the teeth and had machine guns
along with them.
The naval oOntingents Of three great ma
tions were vastly excited, while the humble
representative OF the United States dragged
on a cigarette and watched the proceedings
with great interest.
The British commander was the first 10
ace and question him. What's the matteri
! the tim, white helmeted ~Englishman asked,
Why was the ensign upside DOWN
Nothing. nothing. said the Consul. except
| that he had a telegram for the captain Of the
| Paduoah. Then broke there forth in thun-
derous and violent tones a wonderful stream
Of Britannia wrath, 10 be soon followed by
other streams from Americans and French
men. The b~luejackets, bitterly disap-
pointed, returned TO their ships.
Usually Il il regarded as a pretty serious
thing to land an armed force on foreign
territory, but this little incident seems to
have been overlooked.