Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-09-01

HAITI. HAS NO PRESIDENT
RIVAL REBELS SECURE A FIRM
Err RULE THROUGH A COMMIT
TEE or sAFETY-oERMAN AND
BRITISH MARINES ON LAND TO
LEND Alp-slMoN ON AMERICAN
SCHOONER UNDER Protection
OF CRUISERS.
Port-au-Prince, Hati.-Haiti 10 with
out president or organized govern
ment. The capital 10 occupied by two
rival revolutionary parties headed re-
spectively by Gen. Cincinnatus Lee
conte, former minister of the interi-
or. and by Gen. Antenor Firmin. who
deserted his post az Haitien minister
to Great Britain to join the revolt
against President Simon.
A committee of safety, composed
equally Of Firminists. Leconteists and
neutrals. has been organized through
the initiative of the diplomatic corps.
and Is maintaining public order.
German and British marines have
been landed to aid the provisional
authorities. There were attempts at
pillage and It was necessary to shoot
several OF the hooters. Energetic
measures prevented any serious out.
| break
Antonine Simon, the deposed ma
tional executive, who was compelled
to withdraw from the city. was still
on board the American schooner
Bradford G. French. which is anchored
in the harbor under the protection OF
the guns OF the American cruiser
Chester. Simon awaits the arrival OF
a fruit steamer for Kingston. ia
| maica.
His boarding Of the schooner was
due to misunderstanding He
| wished to 20 aboard the American
cruiser Chester, but was directed by the
American officers to the American
cruiser Des Moines. the senior ship.
Simon failed to understand and went
aboard the schooner. That craft
moved on into the roadstead to where
the Haitien warship II Decembre was
| anchored. The schooner moved over
close to the Chester and guard was
sent from the. cruiser on board the
schooner TO protect her and Simon.
Following the debarkation Of Simon
there was an attempt to pillage the
business house of Makhlouff & Co.. the
! proprietors OF which are Syrians. The
attempt was put down by forces under
the direction Of the committee OF pub
lie safety, and four OF the rioters were
shot on the spot. Some Of the soldiers
also refused to lay down their arms
when ordered to do SO. and there were
occasional conflicts between the sol
diers and civilians.
1t is estimated that forty persons
were killed during the occupation Of
the city by the revolutionists and sub
sequent rioting.
A band of armed men made an at
tack on the customs house and also
attempted to raid some nearby shops
The attack was met by force Of pc
lice and soldiers under the command
Of M. Tancrede Auguste. q member q
the public committee. Six of the
pillagers were shot and this put q
end to the outbreak.
i Later q detachment OF marines wal
landed from the German cruiser Bre
men. They occupied the German lie
CATION and the banking houses ~
Kitel & Co. and Hermann &
Marines from the British M4rshiI
Melpomene occupied the British con
sulate.
The committee Of public safety con
sists OF Fl members. one of whom II
an American resident Stephen Arch
err. The diplomatic corps, after organ
izing the committee. arranged to no
tify the rebel leaders outside the city
i and who may soon come in. that or
der must be preserved In the capital
Revolutionary troops under Genera
Leconte and the Firminist leader
General st. Juste, are marching hith
err from Cape Haitien.
The location OF General t1rmln MIN
self is not known here. There is some
i fear that the two revolutionary par
ties will clash when their leaders
4 meet at Port-au-Prince. Meantime
sort of armistice between the tw'
factions has been arranged and THU
is being observed by the rebel forces
i still outside.