The Washington herald., 1915-08-06
HAITI SITUATION
BADLY TANGLED
Gen. Bobo, Rebel Leader, Is
Said to Be Marching To-
ward Port au Prince.
MAY CLAIM PRESIDENCY
Administration Here Has Not Reached
Definite Decision as to Action
to Be Taken.

With American forces in occupation
of the capital of Haiti and also in pos
session OF the second most important
city, Cape Haiten. the situation in the
| republic remains confused.
According to official advices here yes
| terday. Gen. Bobo. the rebel leader in
| Haiti. is now marching with considerable
forces in the direction OF Port au Prince.
| All the northern region has been won
| by him to his support. and II seems GER
| tain that on arrival at Port au Prince
he will demand the presidency. particu-
| larly as committee OF Haitians in the
| capital has declared for him.
On the other hand, the administration
| has not yet made any decision as to
| what is to be done in Haiti. The situa-
| ton has been under constant considera-
| ton for ten days and Admiral Capcrton
| has been occupying Port au Prince for
a week, but it has not yet been determined
in Washington just what shall be done.
| While the attitude of Admiral Caperton
| and the American forces 10 regarded by
most of the disinterested Haitians as
| most considerate. there is constant pres
sure upon him to make known a definite
program of the United States inten-
| tiOns. The admiral. however. has been
. able TO give no assurances OF any kind
| as to whether the American occupation
is TO be merely temporary, or Is to con-
tinue until some permanent arrangement
has been made for maintaining stable
conditions in Haiti.
| May sprend to santo Domingo.
| Meantime. pending a decision as to
| Haiti, there are Indications that the dis
! turbance will spread across the island
| into SGnto Domingo. 1t became known
/ yesterday that Gen. Blot who command
1 -
in the north, has started for Monte
Cristi. Dominican Republic. II is be-
| lieved here that he will attempt to
obtain arms and men In the Dominican
| Republic, in the hope of returning to
| Haiti and resuming the contest for con-
| troll OF the government
| officials fear that the result OF his ex
petition to Santo Domingo may be de-
moraizing. Yesterday reports were re-
ceivcd that the politica! unrest in Santo
Domingo is growing, and that riots have
| broken out in some parts OF the republic.
Six weeks ago there was threat OF
trouble in Santo Domingo City, and the
cruiser Nashville was sent there. The
disturbance apprehended did not occur
at that time. but since then the Nash
willie has been withdrawn, to take part In
! the operations in Haiti, and officials here
would be surprised at no development,
unless such decisive action is taken in
| Haiti as will convince the Dominican fac
tions that the Washington government
means to keep absolute peace on the
island. At present Santo Domingo is
governed by a compromise government.
set UP through Washington influence, and
| all reports agree that the coalition is not
| a success
Promise to Disarm.
It developed yesterday that Gen. Bobo
was not personally in command of the
forces which attempted to enter Cape
! Hatien Wednesday and We're kept out
of the city only by shell fire from the
| United States converted yacht Eagle.
These forces were in command OF Bobo's
| representatives. Since being sheled by
the Eagle, these forces have promised to
| disarm. it was stated yesterday. They
have been warned that any attempt to
enter Cape Haitien under arms would be
met with all the forces at the disposal of
the American commanders The battle
! ship COnneCticL 1t, with additional marines
was due at Cape Haitien yesterday. to
rC-enforCe the landing parties put ashore
| by the Eagle and the Nashville. The
gunboat CaStine also has sailed from
New Orleans for Port au Prince to aid
/ Admiral CapertOn.
Much comment has been caused here
by the fact that though the problem in
Haiti is now up in the most acute form
In many years. the United States Lega-
ton there is in the hands Of a charge
d'affaires.
Arthur Bailly-B Blanchard, Minister to
Haiti. is on leave of absence, and there
is considerable doubt as to whether he
will ever return to his post. officials at
the State Department decline to say
whether he will go back to Haiti or
whether he will even remain in the
United States diplomatic service.