Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-02
FRENCH MARINES
IN PORT AU PRINCE
Permission for Landing to Guard
Legation Given by United
States.
AMERICANS ARE IN DANGER
Attacks by Citizen Snipers on
Scattered Patrol Squads
Is Feared.
ARE IN DANGER
Especial to The Times-Dispatch ]

ASf lNGlON. august 1.-France
has been given permission by the
United States to land marines at Por,
au Prince. Haiti, for the protection OF
the French legation in that city, where
Admiral Caperton is in control.
Tho Navy Department gave out the
following statement tonight:
Last night Secretary of the Navy
Daniels received a dispatch from Ad-
miral Caperton, stating that the French
minister at Port au Prince has re-
quested permission to land a small de-
tachment from the French cruiser
Descartes TO guard the French lega-
ton. as he considered it htting that
the legation should be guarded by
French troops.
Secretary Daniels. after conference
with Secretary of State Lansing. cabled
Admiral Caperton that there was no
objection TO the landing Of small
french detachment 10 guard the French
legation: and instructed Admiral C.aper-
ton TO afford all facilities 10 the French
minister for the landing Of crews"
-~'| - = g AS''
For FUTURE HAPPENINGS
This attitude of France shows that
she at least regards the United States
as In unquestfoned control of affairs in
Haiti. In the opinion OF officials. II
shows also that, after the landing OF
marines by Admiral Caperton the
United States Will thus take care OF
not only English and French. but Ger
man and Austrian and other interests
II was stated to-day that the danger
IN the city is regarded as increasing.
III Is expected by navy officials that, as
Admirai Caperton mas cabled that more
marines might be needed" the de-
part'nent VIII at moments notice
send l,"oc marines as rc-enforcements
from Philadelphia either by the Han
COCK or the North Dakota. or by both.
NaFy oihcers say that the situat ton
may be made critical for the 400 ma
rlnes IN Fort au Prince al any moment.
They estimate the population at about
$4,000. There are. therefore, about
10000 men capable of bearing arms in
the city and suburbs. Admiral Caper-
ton. officials say, foresaw the danger
OF attack from the citizen snipers. and
persuaded the local authorities that
that firearms should be taken away
from every citizen Il, is said ,h,,
about 5000 guns have already been
stacked UP In the National Palace.
which is being guarded by Admiral
Caperton with a strong squad
DANGER OF sNIpING
UNTIL TOWN is pACIFIED
The special feature of danger, how
ever. io thus described by officers:
Admiral Caperton has taken ashore
only about 400 men. In order to pre-
serve order throughout the city he has
been Obliged TO subdividc these men
into large number of patrol SQUADS.
These squads are necessarily far apart.
and there will be. OF course. danger of
sniping until the town has been sub
stanttally pacihed. There is no cues
ton that the Haitians regard the land
ing OF such a large force of FOREIGNERS
as an intrusion on their local rights,
which they claim they should be al
lowed to exercise in their own way.
There is always to be feared a COM
bination of the conflicting local ele-
ments and politicians against the
French and American patrols"
IT Is not expected that the re- enforce
ment of 500 marines by the Connecti-
cut will reach Haiti before Wednesday
night These will be sent ashore at
once. Navy officers declare that there
must be great strain on the men who
are ashore. This is due to their con-
slant duty on watch and TO the heat.
Admiral Caperton is expected 10 relieve
all the men ashore he can, with due
regard to keeping as large force
within the city limits as possible.
The plan of the United States gov
ernment for the ultimate settlement of
the troubles is partly revealed by the
conference between Secretary of the
Navy Daniels and Secretary of State
Lansing to-day. In the opinion of one
high official. France is the only nation
that would have been allowed to land,
and permission was granted in this ca Sc
only because France had been insultcd
and Haiti owes her an indemnity and
apology.
This government seems to take the
position now that the marines and
other forces will never be withdra wn
from the republic until there has been
an agreement between the United
States and Haiti. which will give the
United States the right to intervene
tci 'hc SS''icHSHt VI uispuleS, as In the
present instance. Admiral Caperton
probably will remain at the Haitian
capital until after an election has been
ordered and new President installed.
The first act OF the new government.
ii is understood, will be to make AN
apology to France and reparation and
indemnity for the indignities offered
to the French legation. The payment
Of this indemnity and all other debts
TO foreign nations will be arranged
through treaty with the United States
with Haiti.
NNI nMrI rAlfrc HIIINaN0