The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-04

FOLLOWSNORD ALEXIS
Whom He Drove From the COun-
try Two Years Ago.
Foreign Nations Are Holding
Down the Lid at Present.

Port Au Prince, Aug. 4-General
Antoine Simon sailed last night for
Kingston, Jamaica, the refuge of
Haiti's fallen heroes, as the warship II
Decembre which took its name from the
day that he was elected presIuent of
the black republic, doomed a doleful
farewell. He follows in the wake of
Nord Alexis, whom he overthreW in
the last month of 1908, and he leaves
the capital in the possession of General
Cincinnatus Leconte, whom he had dri-
Ven into exile with his depOSed chief
and General Anuenor Firmin, rival
for the presidency whom he placated
by sending him minister to Cuba
So the whesI has gone round. Nord
Alexis ruled for six years On Decem-
Der 3, 1908, Simon, then at the height
of his popularity, led an overwhelming
revolutionary army into Port Au
Prince and was everywhere proclaimed
as a saviour of the country from tyhan-
n.y. He appeared to have the country
united behind him. Nord Alexis who
had found safety on the French cruiser
Dugary TrCuin. later boarded the Ger
man steamer Sarnia and proceeded to
Kingston where embittered against his
countrymen, he died in the spring Of
1910 To the last he refused to admit
that he could understand the hostility
of the people
peared in the streets" he was wont to
say mournfully, "and l have always
labOred for their good
With Simon disposed Of attention
has turned to his successor and there is
much uneasiness regarding the future.
General Jeconte and General Firmin,
both are aVowed candidates for the
presidency. They head rival revolution
ary armies. Neither leader has arrived
at the capital but their followers are
7f = f.i4 ND
ing between the two parties is far from
friendly.
me danger now is that neither gen
eral will be disposed to retire in favor
of the other and that the issue must
be literally fought out.
The diplomatic corps is doing every
thing possible to avoid a conflict. To-
day they held conference to decide
on a committee of public safety satls-
factory to all factions, to whom the
security of the capital may be en-
trusted The first committee chosen
was made up equally of Lecontists,
Firminists and neutrals, twenty-one IN
all. This was not satisfactory to the
Firninists and a new committee IN
which they had the largest representa-
ton was formed. Some of the mem
bers refused to serve and third at
tempt to conciliate all parties was
necessary. Just now the followers of
Firmin are in the majority in the city
but General Leconte with a large army
! is approaching.
Early last evening Simon. accom-
panied by his daughter, Clementine,
who has remained at his side since he
left the palace, and handful of fol-
lowers, with their baggage, were trans
ferred from the American schooner
Bradford c. French to the Dutch
steamer Prinz Nederlanden, and an
hour later the vessel sailed for Kings
ton AS the vessel passed out of the
harbor and Simon had what may
prove to be his last view of the capital,
the three Haitien warships gave him
parting salute.
The night passed with comparative
calm. Occasionally the report of a
rifle was heard but the lawless ones
were held pretty we'll in check.
The German marines, who were
landed from the cruiser Bremen, re-
main on shore, and the German min
lister has made it known that he will
hold as many armed men in the city
as the situation requires
It is unlikely that an attempt to
constitute a provisional government
will be made until Leconte and F'irmin
I