The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-29
HAYTI REVOLUTION
SURPRISE TO BRYAN
Secretary Didn't Think Situa-
ton in Republic Was a
Serious Affair.
WILSON MUST ACT NOW
President Must Decide as to
Future POlicy-Port au
Prince Quiet.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2s-The situation
in Hayti Is chaotic and Is likely to lead
TO the setting up Of a revolutonist gov
eminent In opposition TO the declaration
Of President Wilson In favor Of Com
stitutional government This was indi-
Gated In meagre dispatches received In
washington to-day.
Reports Of the abdicatlon Of President
Oreste and his seeking refuge on the
German cruiser Vineta az soon as fight
Ing began In Port au Prince were con-
firmed In dispatches to the State Depart
ment to-day. There Is now no govern
ment in Hayti. although the local authori-
ties. with the assistance of the American
and German marines from the Montana
and the Vineta are restoring order
Senator Theodore. leader of the rcvolu-
ton. Is reported TO be ready TO proceed
to Port au Prince, presumably to make
an effort to secure his. own installation in
the Presidency OF the republic. a strong
force of revolutionists IL reported en- route
to the capital from st. Marc, only forty
miles from Port au Prince.
The danger OF the situation from the
point OF view OF the United States lies In
the fact that 1t is grave question
whether quorum OF Congress can be
obtained to proceed to the election of a
new President IL quorum is obtained
II Is believed the forms Of constitutional
ism might In some degree be satisfied BY
the Legislature choosing one Of the rebel
leaders. presumably Senator Theodore. for
President. The election OF Senator Thee
dore OF course would be equivalent 10 his
se!zing the Presidency by force and would
not In any sense be "A genuinely consttu
tional proceeding rs required by the terms
OF President Wilson's announced policy.
pNAA M
II appears that the seriousness of the
situation was never fully appreciated by
Secretary Bryan. AS "A matter OF fact he
was in the State Department two days
after his return from the West before
he learned Of the rebellion In Hayti and
then he was informed o. It by persons not
connected with the department, although
at that time the navy had already sent
a warship to Hayti and soon followed II
with another. Mr.. Bryan did not think
apparently that tn. rebels would succeed
in overthrowing President oreste and was
inclined TO await further developments
before taking any positive measures look
ing 10 the encouragement of the revo-
luton.
Assurances were given to-day by Min
lister Duvi"ier Of Nayti that in his be-
lief the revolutionists II they took Port
au Prince would not default on the in
terest payment on the railroad bonds
which IL due next Monday. The rebel
leaders realize too well. he said. the DIM
cuhies In which such action would involve
them to default on the payment. Tie
money Is ready. 1t was said. In the Ma
tional Bank OF Hayti. which Il the fiscal
agent OF the Haytien Government.
The whole question of future policy In
Hayti. now that the revolution has been
successful. IL In the hands OF the Pres'-
dent. Mr.. Bryan is waiting for "A de
cislon at the White House and mean
, time Is doing nothing so far rs appears
at the State Department.
Haytian Capital Quiet.
PoRr AT PRINCE. Hayti. Jan :s.-This
city was quiet this morning and there
were but few minor outbreaks in con-
nection with the revolution. which prac-