The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-30
AMERICAN FORCE
| fights HAI7IANS
Battle Between Caperton's
Marines and Island Troops
Reported Here.
ARMS TAKEN FROM DEAD
Entire Population of Port au Prince
May Be Disarmed by United
States Commander.
ARMS TAKEN FROM DEAD

Fighting occurred between Haitians and
Admiral Caperton's landing force Of ma
rines and bluejackets at Port au Prince
"Wednesday night, according to dis
patch from the American commander
received at the Navy Department last
night
Admiral Caperton stated in his dispatch
that no causalties were suffered by the
American forces.
The fighting occurred as the force Of
800 men. two companies Of marine and
two companies OF bluejackets from the
cruiser Washington. advanced from the
wharves through the town Of Port au-
Prince. The resistance continued through
the early part of the night until the
Americans had established themselves in
the market place in the upper part Of the
city.
Disarms Dead Haitians.
Admiral Caperton's first step yesterday
was to proceed to disarm the bodies of
dead Haitian civilians and soldiers.
Whether he will carry this measure to the
extent of disarming the entire population
of Port au Prince Is not known. 1t is not
anticipated that there will be any fur
Their resistance on the part Of the Hal
| tians. particularly as 100 more marine
were due to arrive there on board the
collier Jason yesterday
No complete reports on the situation
in the Haitian capital were received
at either the State or Navy Depart
ments yesterday. So far as is known,
tine situation continues most chaotic
with no government organized to sue
coed that headed by the murdered Gull
laume Sam, to achieve whose death
the mob Wednesday forcibly entered
the French Legation where he had
taken refuge.
The State Department mas not yet
formulated a program for the Haitian
situation. The whole matter has been
put up to President Wilson. with earn
est recommendation that the present
itUation be made the occasion for &C
tion by the United States which will
permanently end the intolerable condi-
ton which have prevailed there con-
tinuously for several years Whether
the President decides to go to the
length of reorganizing the Haitian
government and arranging for a suf-
ficient measure of American control to
insure the maintenance of peace in the
country, it is felt that it will at least
be necessary to keep the American
forces ashore there until some sort Of
government has been organized and
France given adequate reparation for
the attack on her legation, and to
Santo Domingo for violation of the Do
minican Legation.
No word has yet been received from
the French government regarding the
outrages at Port au Prince. The French
Embassy yesterday inquired of the
State Department for news of the sit
uation. having had no official advices
of its own.
Admiral Caperton reported early yes
terday that the French cruiser Descartes
was expected there. and it is presumed
she has arrived by this time and has
placed guards at the French Legation.
1t Is taken for granted that there will
he the most cordial cooperation be-
tween Admiral Caperton and the French
commander.
The latest report received from Ad-
made of the fighting Wednesday. is as
follows:
Landing force established in city. |
Slight resistance during early part of
night as advance was being made. This !
resistance was easily overcome. No !
casualties our force. Am proceeding to |
disarm bodies Haitian soldiers and civil !
ians today"
French Legation Guarded.
The message received from the adj
m!ral earlier in the day was as follows: |
Landing force entered Port au Prince !
and bivouacked for the night at market |
place in northern part Of city. Guard |
was placed at the French Legation. No |
serious disturbance. This action decided |
on after consultation with American
charge d'affa,res and French and British |
charge daffaires. French warshp Des- ,
cartes expected tonight.
Two companies marines, two COM
panies seamen landed at $50 p. m. Have !
information from commander United
States steamer Eagle reporting condi-
lions Cape Haitien quiet, but Eagle
landed twenty men Cape Haitien to pro-
tect French consulate for fear of attack
on refugees there, at request French
consul"