Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-07-21
Commander Decker Sails
With Cruiser From
Bradford, R. |.
COUNTRY IN UPHEAVAL
Women and Children From
United States Take Refuge
on Private Yacht.

Washington, July 2L-In the light
OF Official Information that the Haitien
government contemplates bombarding
the unfortihed powns of St Marie ana
Gona4ves, now occupied by rebels, the
United States in all probability Will
cable today a strong protest to Pres
dent Simon against any such action.
With one warsh1p in Haitien waters
and three others racing towards ths
wartorn republic, the navy depart
ment is preparing TO throw Gordon
of armed vessels about the Island in
case danger TO American life and prop
erty demands It
Washington, July q - Impressed
with the need of quick action to pro
tect American interests in Haiti, Com
mander Decker had his scout cruiser
Chester coa1ed during the night and
sailed from Bradford, r. l.. for Cape
Haitien at this morning, less than II
hours after he had received orders de-
taching the Chester from the war
game in Long Island sound. The Ches-
ter is expected 10 arrive at Cape Hal
tien Monday night.
CAPITAL THREATENED.
Port au Prince, Haiti, July 21.-The
government has been strengthened by
1000 men from the south. They are
resisting the revolutionists, who are
threatening the capital from the north.
President Simon is directing the de-
fense of the palace. The American
gunboat Petrol arrived today.
IN HANDS OF REVOLUTIoNIsTs.
Cape Haitien, July 21.-Cape Hal
ten is in the hands Of the revolution
lists. and the sole protection of Amer
leans and other foreigners at this port
is an American yacht which arrived
here Wednesday morning
The United States gunboat PeL-el
sailed from here several hours Prev
Gus to the arrival OF the yacht. leaving
American interests unprotected. and
when the yacht came into the harbor,
its owner. Mr.. Dick, found the town
in a state of semi-anarchy. The insul-
gents were rapidly approaching and
President Simon and his troops ha
left Fort Liberia for Port au Prince.
There were rumors also that the
cruiser Antoine Simon was on its way
TO lombard some Of the ports. AS Is
customary under such circumstances,
most of the residents took sides with
the revolutionists, and soon the au-
thorities were unable TO check the dis
orders.
REBELS CAPTURE THE CITY.
Mr.. Dick notified the officials that
he would not permit any bombardmeEt
bv Haitien warships and would protect
the foreigners.
Early Wednesday night fighting be-
ran in the streets. The searchlight
Of the yacht was kept playing on toe
house in which the Americans who
were brought in from working on ths
railroad had collected with their
wives The civic authorities aided
IN the work.
AT daybreak the government was
oyerthrown. the revolutiontsts had &C
cupied the town and the streets were
filed with excited men, shooting at
random.
All the American women were tax
en- aboard the yacht, and the foreign
consulates were filled with refugees
These included generals who had op-
posed the revolution and the local au-
thorities, in protecting whom the
French consul was slightly wounded
MUST NOT FIRE PRIVATE GUNS.
A request was cabled TO the United
States authorities by the yacht owner
for release from the bond given before
leaving New York not 20 use arms
and an answer was returned that there
was no authority for such release
This practically denied the right 70
protect the lives of Americans, tat
notwith standing. preparations were
continued TO afford protection in what
ever way was deemed advisable.
The whole American colony claimed
immediate protection. II is pointed out
that serious results may follow II per
mission is denied the American yacht
owner 10 use the guns with which has
vessel is supplied. in case Of eme--
yency, until the arrival of an Amer.
IAN warship-