The Washington herald., 1915-08-11
HAITI TO ELECT
president, SOON
United States to Countenance
Balloting This Week if
Order Prevails.
REBELS PILLAGE TOWNS
Followers Of Bobo Refuse to Disarm.
Indignant at His Subservienee
to Americans,

Unless further disturbing elements
should develop in the situation in Haiti,
the United States authorities in occupa-
ton OF the capital probably will coup-
tenance an election being held by the
Haitian congress this week.
1t is now understood to be the ad-
minfstration's intentions to have a presi-
dent chosen as soon as conditions In
Haiti will permit, and then to, proceed
to negotiation with the government thus
established for the purpose of effectmg
some arrangement with the Haitians
which will insure the maintenance of
peace and good government In the negro
republic
For the most part recent dispatches
from Rear Admiral Caperton. command
ing the American forces Of occupation
IN Haiti. are favorable. The disturbing
factors last reported are that rebels are
pillagins towns and plantations in the
interior Of Haiti and are refusing to dis
arm, while In Port au Prince the streets
are being placarded with charges that
the American occupation is but a scheme
to take from Haiti control of Mole st.
Nicholas. the fine Haitian harbor which
has long been desired by Germany and
other European powers 1t Is possible
that should these activities increase to
such an extent as to create a generally
disturbed condition. the election of a
president again will be postponed.
Rebels Are PiIlnginR.
According to Admiral Caperton. the
parties doing the pillaging are rebels,
who claim that DIR. Bobo, their former
leader. has deserted them. 1t is true
that Bobo called on all his people to
disar rm, and has himself promised to ac-
cept the result of the election by the
congress. 1t is stated that these rowing
bands or rebels will not disarm, unless
compelled to do so by some superior
force Admiral Caperton is understood
not to be prepared at present to send
any strong forces far into the interior
of Haiti.
Port au Prince remains quiet as is
cape Haitien, according to official re-
ports. The customs houses have been
taken in charge by the United States,
and IN Port au Prince the government
FUNDS have been transferred back to the
International bank, in which there is a
large American interest. By contract
with the Haitian government this bank
Is TO handle the government funds, but
some months ago the government arbi-
tIarHy Withdrew its funds from the bank
The bank and its branches act a. receiv.
er Tor the customs funds.
Inc group conducting the agitation in
rort au Prince against the American
occupation, on the ground that II Is a
plot to secure control of the Mole. nro-
poses a complete reorganiza ton of the
haitian government. It urges that dele
gates be chosen in all parts of the coun-
Try Tor the establishment of a provi-
sionai government. and that these dele
gates then proceed to the revision of the
constitution. In official quarters here
such a revision Of the constitution would
pe welcomed IL there were any assur
ances In advance that a constitutional
assembly could be counted upon to make
the changes desired by this government
IL Is doubted, however. that such as
surances could be had In advance in re-
gard to the work of such an assembly
as constitutional convention would
likely prove to be-