The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-08-09
PRESIDENT Of HAYTl
DIES IN PALACE FIRE
An Explosion Wrecks Wooden
Structurc-4OO Killed or
Wounded.
MORS OF MURDER PLOT
Port-au.Princc Under Military
Authority and No Dis
turbance Feared.
special CaJie Despatch TO THE SrS

Spetfds tdCfe DetpufCN 70 luE Sun
Fort AZ PRINCE. 1Tayti, Aug. S.--Gen.
Cincinnatus lie Conte. President OF the
Republic of Huyti. was killed at 3:1b
o'clock this morning in an explosion
and fire which destroyed the palace.
Munitions Of war were stored under the
palace in large quantities. There was
an explosion OF these which partially
wrecked the palace and shook nearby
parts OF the city. The palace. which
was Of wood. took FIRE A series Of
lesser explosions followed and prevented
the firemen from working. 1t Is esti-
mated that many persons were either
killed OF injured by the explosion.
There is an unconfrmed rumor here
that the death OF the President was the
elimination Of a plot due to the boun-
Diary dispute between Haytians and Do
minicans.
All the members OF President I.e-
conte's family except the President him
self were rescued. Those who did the
rescue work We're unable to find the
President in the building ant finally
themselves were driven out by the
rapidly burning fire and the succession
Of explosions of powder In the basement.
The explosion was Of sufficient force
to awaken the entire city. The greater
part Of the population turned out into
the streets and followed others running
to the palace. The firemen had plenty
of volunteers to assist them. bu the ex-
plosions were so frequent as no. to per-
init effective work. The palace was in
ruins in less than an hour. Evidences
OF the force Of the first explosion In the
shape of small cannon and other heavy
articles from the palace are strewn
about tho nearby streets.
SO far there has been no disorder in
the city. The military authorities have
taken charge Of the situation.
a, joint meeting OF the houses Of
Congress this afternoon Gen. Tancrede
Auguste. Senator and eX-Minister Of
Public Works. was named as President.
Jean Jacques Dessailnes Michel Gin
clnnatus lie Conte would have been
President of Hayu exactly one year II
he had lived until the 18th OF this
month. ON August l6 last he was
sworn In as President Of the "black re-
public" ten days after he entered Port
au-Prince. the capital. at the head of
his successful revolutionary forces. He
ovcrthrew the Government OF former
President simon. who fed to Jamaica
upon the success OF lie Conte
lie Conte began his career in Haytl
as school teacher in 1874. He
rose through the ranks OF minor Of
fiCaldom TO member OF Congress. and
in lsSs joined in the revolution against
President Salomon. He wan later asso-
ciated with the Government of Pres-
dent Nord Alexis.
In 1899 President Simon Sam made
lie Conte a member Of his Cabinet. In
February, 1911. he fled from Hayti and
took refuge as n political exile in St.
Thomas. There he remained until July
llaytien and in n month had succeeded
In overthrowing the Government Of
President Simon.
President lie Conte was the host at
dinner in April OF this year TO Secre-
tary OF State and Mrs. r. e. Knox and
their party. The dinner was given in
the palace in which Le Conte met his
death early to-day. With two eXcep-
tions the members Of the Knox party
were the only white persons at the table
on that occasion. The occasion was a
final number in a programme OF oficial
entertainments accorded to Mr.. Knox
during his visit to Hayti.