The Washington herald., 1915-08-03
II, 5. T0EXIEND
rule in HAITI
American Military Control to
Cover Whole Area of
Republic.
TROOPS TO BE DlsARMED
Capertop Commission Will Bring
Leaders to Port au Prince for
Conference.
TROOPS TO BE DISARMED

American military control 10 about tc
be extended over practically the entire
1 area of Haiti, the capital of which
Port au Prince. 10 already in possession
| of American marines and bluejackets
| under command of Rear Admiral Cap
erton.
This fact was developed yesterday
in report received at the Navy De-
partment from Admiral Caperton. He
announced that he was sending q
mixed commission. including one
| American naval officer and a number
| Of prominent Haitians to the city OF
Cape Haitien, second in importance to
| the capital, Port au Prince. This mis-
sion goes with instruction to bring
about the disarmament of all the
troops in that part Of the country, gov
| and to bring the chief leaders in that
| section to Port au Prince for q con-
ference.
Lieut.. Coney Heads Mission.
The mission Is proceeding on board
the naval collier Jason, which last
| week brought 100 additional marines
to Port au Prince to re-enforce Admiral
Caperton. It Is headed by Lieut.. r. B.
Coffey. OF the navy. The other members
are former President Legitis, Arch
bishop Conan. Gen. Eclyniee. former
minister Charles Zamor, whose broth
er was recently president of Haiti, and
Col. Chevalier. The admiral has not
stated whether any armed force 10 ac-
companying this mission to execute it's
purpose of disarming the forces in
Cape Haitien and vicinity. 1t Is doubt
ed here that the purpose of the mis-
sion will be achieved without the pres
eace of American forces to back II up
Admiral Caperton's instructions are
that the mission require the army in
tho north to disarm and to disband,
the soldiers to return to their homes.
and Gems. Blot and Bobo to return
to Port au Prince with the commits
sion and Join In a conference to pro-
mote order in Haiti"
This program. undertaken by Admiral
Caperton, 1t Is stated here, without any
instructions from Washington. is regard
Cd here as a most ambitious one Its
fulfllment will, 1t is believed. place all
OF Haiti under the control OF the Amer
lean forces. 1t is considered more than
possible however. that it will not be
accomplished without meeting with re-
sistance on the part. Of the Haitians.
Leaders Busy with Plans.
Since the downfall of President Gull
laume Sam at Port au Prince last week,
the opposing leaders in the north. Bobo
and Blot, have been busy with plans Of
their own for the future Of Haiti. Con-
ferences are being held at Cape Haitien
by various groups. and every indication
in the last few days has pointed to the
probability - further resort to armed
force to decide the supremacy as be-
tween the factions, II not prevented by
the United States. Consequently. the
opinion prevails here that even with
Haitians on the commission. Admiral
Caperton will find it dificult. If not i'm
possible, to persuade the leaders in the
north to disarm and disband their re-
spective forces.
The immediate situation in Port au
Prince is quiet, Admiral Caperton re-
ports. On Saturday night there was a
raid on a Wesleyan mission there. it
being charged that the mission was Sc
creting a Haitian who had been guilty
of a political murder. No disturbances
occurred Sunday night. The American |
forces are not permitting Haitians to
assemble in large groups on the street |
or in public places. The disarmament |
continues, but Admiral Caperton has |
reason to believe that many weapons and !
much ammunition are being held out |
and concealed by the Haitians