Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-21

1t is aprehended that condition of po-
litical chaos will follow the downfall OF
the existing regime. 1t is on account OF
this alarming prospect that the Washing
ton government has dispatched four war
ships to Haiti in order to safeguard Amer
lean interests and to lend whatever as
Sistance may be necessary for the pro
lection of the lives and property of othel
foreigners in that country. .
One Gunboat There.
The only United States ship there at
present Is the little gunboat Petrol, which
has a displacement Of $50 tons and car
ries four guns Of over four-inch caliber
in her main battery and six smaller guns.
She has been patrolling the coast for
several days past and arrived at Port au
Prince this morning from a visit to
Gonaives. an important town on the west
coast, which recently fell into the hands
of the revolutionists. Material naval re-
Inducements are on their way to the
scene Of action The gunboat Peoria,
the regular station ship at San Juan.
sailed to day for Cape Haitien and will
arrive there tomorrow, ready for any
service she may be called upon to per-
form. The Peoria also is a small vessel.
having a displacement of only 400 tons,
and carrying only seven small guns. The
scout cruiser Chester, one of the swiftest
vessels in the navy, will arrive at Cape
Haitien Sunday night Impressed with
the need Of quick action, that vessel was
detached from the mimic war game in
Long Island sound, and. having coaled
lat Bradford, r. l., during the night, sailed
away at o'clock this morning for the
theater Of real strife in Haiti. She is
proceeding under rush orders and is ex-
pected to maintain an average speed of
twenty knots an hour. At that rate she
will reach Cape Haitien Sunday night.
The Chester Is modern vessel in every
respect and Is equipped with wireless ap-
paratus. She has battery of two large
guns. eight smaller rapd-flre guns and
two torpedo tubes. Her displacement Is
stated at $3.50 tons.
Des Moines Under Orders.
The fourth warship assigned to duty In
the troubled waters of Haiti Is the pro-
tected cruiser Des Moines. which has a
displacement of 5000 tons and battery
Of ten five-inch guns and fifteen smaller
rapid-dre guns. Having sailed from Bos-
ton yesterday. and, not being very swift,
she probably will not reach her destina-
ton at Port au Prince before Monday or
Tuesday night. She will stop en- route
at the naval station at Guantanamo to
coal and receive instructions.
In the light of official information that
the Haitian government contemplates
bombarding the unfortified towns of St.
Marc and Gonaives, the State Department
undoubtedly will cable strong protest
to President Simon against any such ac-
ton. The dispatch has not yet been sent.
here seems to foreshadow such a def
mite stand In the matter. The repre-
sentations probably will call the attention
of President Simon to the fact that
Haiti Is q party to The Hague conven-
tions prohibiting the shelling Of unpro-
tected ports.
President Simon returned to his capital
Wednesday night an i'll man and is now
confined to his bed. Minister Furniss re-
ported to the State Department today.
critical situation which has faced him
during his administration. He arrived at
Port au Prince unexpectedly, the min
lister said, and before any attempt to pre-
vent his landing could be perfected. Prac-
tically all of the northern part Of the
by the rebels.
Marching on Capital.
The revolutionists are reported to be
marching on Port au Prince from st.
Marc. according to dispatch to the Navy
Department from Commander Dismukes
Of the gunboat Petrol, which arrived at
Port au Prince today. Finding the rebels
in peaceful control Of Gonaives and Amer
ican interests there unendangered, the
Petrol sailed for the capital to consult
with Minister Furniss.
All the people are in sympathy with the
REVOLUTIONARY movement, Commander Dis
mukes reported. and the government was
overthrown at Gonaives without strong
resistance The former government Off
cials there have sought refuge in the
German and French consulates.