The daily sentinel., 1908-05-19

of Columbus and the rabble rout
that followed him. In IL few
years its 3.OOO,OOO of gentle,
( brown-siIinned inhabitants had
perished utterly, externinated
by fire and sword, and by forced
labor in the mines, to which they
were utterly unsuited. In all
history is no tragedy more
colossal and more pitiful than
this one.
/ Next the buccaneers seized the un-
happy island and wrecked venege-
anve on the Spaniards in such a man
ner that even the old chroniclers tell
of the worst of the atrocities only in
the Latin tongue.
Presently came the French, and
/ for brief space there was some sem
blance of peace. But in 1893 the ne
groes revolted and murdered prac-
/ tically all the whites, the scenes en-
acted resembling those that took
place at Cawnpore and elsewhere
nified a thousandfold.
On account of these atrocities,
| frightful reprisals took place when
France. in due course, reconquered
the island. But the negroes bided
their time and presently rose again
under ruffian named Dessalimes.
This time they did the thing thor
oughly. Not only were all the Euro
peans put to death, but all having
an admixture of white blood in
their veins suffered a like fate. Many
of the victims were burned alive 2f-
ter having been first tortured.
In all, it is computed that 5,000,-
| 900 of men, women and children
U IA IL toll do. y, 10
island of massacres since the intrud-
ing white man first set foot on its
palm-fringed strand.
The present disturbances center
around the struggle between Presi-
dent Nord Alexis and General Firm
in. the former President Simon Sam,
retired to Paris with as much money
as he could lay his hands on.
Both Alexis and Firmin were anx-
ious to step in his shoes, and, as the
latter had possession of the only
warship the Crete-a-Pierrot. it seem
ed at first as though there were little
chance of Alexis attaining his ambi-
ton.
In an evil moment. however, the
Crete-a-Pierrot held up German
vessel, which was carrying arms and
ammunition to the other side, and
the Emperor William set the mailed
fist to work in the shape of the cruis-
er Panther. Captain Eckman, who
was in command of the latter,
brought his vessel alongside the
Haitian ship and ordered her to sur
render.
The crew of the Crete-a-Pierrot,
with true Haitian heroism, promptly
rushed for the boats, leaving only
the brave skipper, Hillick, who was
half a Scotchman, and two other men
on board. Rather than surrender,
Killick then blew up his vessel,
which went down while the German
gallantly blazed away into the burn
ing wreckage. With it disappeared
the hopes of the F'irmin party.
Since then the disappointed gen.
eral has spent his time wandering
about among the neighboring islands
intriguing against his successful
rival Firmin poses as the champion
of the pure-blooded negro element
while the presidents leaeding sup
porters are found chiefly among the
mulattoes.
The danger to the white popula-
tion lies in the fact that when the
Haitians become excited they are no
better than the most bloodthirsty saw
ages Except for the brutal and
ident there Is no pretense at either
law or justice throughout the island
When not fighting or drinking the
Haitian negro spends his time lying
in the sun smoking innumerable
cigarettes. All over the island the
roads made originally by the Spanish
and French have fallen into ruin, and
the thick forests in the interior are
peopled by depraved savages.
A story told by Mr.. Sandman. the
well known American artist, will
illustrate the state of discipline which
prevails among the 5000 ruffian.
who bear the courtesy title of ''th'
army"
Mr.. Sandman and an Irish friend
who resided in the island, were on,
day watching the commandanta o
the Haitian army reviewing hi
| troops.
Would you like to see me brak,
up the whole lot?" asked the Irish
man.
"Of course" replied the artist
The Irishman then took five silve
coins from his pocket. and. with
loud shout, threw them up in the air
Instantly the whole army leaped for
~ard and scrambled for the money
the commandanta himself sscurin
the first three pieces. After pocket
ing them with dignity and restorin
order among his men, he ordered tn
4 Irishman to be arrested for bringin
discredit on the army. The latte
was sentenced to three weeks in
prisonment, but five pieces of silve
and a bottle of rum secured his N
stant release.
II
Fred Mantey will make you
price on Joe Moon buggy that ma
interest you.