Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-09
FOUND IN THE RUINS
Body of Haitian President Re-
covered From Palace Debris.
DIES IN BURNING BUILDING
Gen. Tancrede Auguste Formally In
stalled as His Successor.
CAPITAL CITY REMAINS QUIET
Four Hundred Persons Injured, One
Hundred Fatally, as Result of
Accidental Explosion.
DIES IN BURNING BUILDING


PORT AU PRINCE. Haiti, August o.
The body Of the president of the Haitian
Republic, Gen. Cincinnatus Leconte, who
persisted in the fire which destroyed the
national palace here yesterday. was found
today on the iron bed on which he had
slept The authorities are making ar
rangements for national funeral
The transference of powers to the new
president. Gen. Tancrede Auguste, who
was selected yesterday by the members
Of the senate and chamber meeting in
national assembly, was carried out today
in perfect tranquility. All the ministers
and other authorities appear to be in
spired with confidence in Gen. Auguste
and the army accepts the accomplished
fact in a fine spirit Of military discipline.
A strong force of firemen continues to
search the ruins Of the palace and the
adjacent powder magazine for the bodies
Of victims of the fire and explosions.
Many Buildings Damaged.
The terrific force Of tho explosion is
indicated by the fact that all the houses
within a radius Of three-quarters Of a
mile around the palace were greatly dam
aged by the shock. The roof Of the ma
tional bank was In great part destroyed,
while those Of the various ministries were
completely shattered by the debris
Gus protectiles which burst and whose
fragments were thrown to q long dis
lance into the city when they came into
contact with the flames.
house belonging to q German named
Schmidt, situated at a distance of 600
yards from the national palace. was
pierced from side to side by a shell,
which. however, did not injure any Of the
inmates.
Election Of Auguste.
Gen. Tancrede Auguste. who Is a sena-
tor and was formerly minister Of public
works. was yesterday afternoon chosen
president of the republic Of Haiti, to sue
coed Leconte. The election took place at
a joint meeting Of chamber and senate
No disorders have broken out The mill
the city.
Gen. Leconte met his death in a fire
which was caused by an explosion of the
powder magazine attached to the palace
at $40 o'clock The palace. which was
built Of wood, caught fire, and was de-
stroyed in less than one hour.
Many Explosions Occur.
During the fire a number Of explosions
succeeded one another. caused by the
enormous quantity Of munitions OF war
which had been stored in the cellars be-
low the palace.
All the houses around the palace were
greatly damaged but as the palace itself
was isolated, the firemen succeeded in
their efforts to localize the flames
The members Of the family OF the
president. all of whom were in the palace
at the time. were saved, but President
Leconte himself was not seen again. and
| is known to have perished in the flames.
Small cannon and fragments of iron and
shells were thrown great distances In all
| directions.
Death Probably Accidental.
The American minister at Port au
Prince has reported to the State De-
partment that the explosion in which the
president Of Haiti was killed seems to
have been accidental. due to improper
ventilation of smokeless powder maya
| zines. The presidents body has just been
| recovered. 1t was pinned to his bed by
the falling debris and burned to death.
His son, the minister of public works.
| also lost his life. Business has been sus-
pended. The city Is quiet. The con-
gress elected Tancrede Auguste president
| by ninety-nine votes out of ia.
Leconte's Stormy Career.
| CincinnatLs Leconte had a very stormy
career. first coming into prominence In
1905 when. as minister Of the interior OF
the famous President Nord Alexis. he
summarily executing ten Of the leaders.