Perth Amboy evening news., 1915-07-31
Situation Not Serious.

SttuHtlon MOI serious.
special By United Press Wire
Washington, July 31:-AdmiraI
Caperton has sufficiently strong
force of American marines and blue
jackets to dominate the situation at
Port au Prince. The only reason for
sending the battleship Connecticut is
that the navy department desires to
give the admiral enough of a force
to permit frequent release of the
men On duty due to the exceedingly
trying climate.
This explanation was made today
in denials that the government con-
sidered the situation serious. A COM
plete report of Admiral Caperton's
steps to restore order was expected
| later in the day.
-Four Haitians were killed and two
! wounded in clash Thursday at Port
au Prince, in which two American
! bluejackets were slain, Admiral Caper-
ton reported today. The department
ordered the hospital ship Solaee from
Newport News to Port au Prince.
AS result of messages from Rear
Admiral Caperton that American blue
jackets were killed during an attack
by Haitians upon the American forces
now in occupation of Port au Prince
500 more marines are being sent to
him by the battleship Connecticut.
According to the admiral, the attack
was easily repulsed. and there is no
cause for alarm as to the safety Of the
American forces or foreign residents
of Port au Prince
| Admiral Caperton Is In full military
| control OF Port au Prince and this Is
| the only government or recognized au-
th2Estz n he ksait3 tlRl ~ n =
time. A local committee OF safety
was organized by the Haitians, but no
longer figures In the situation as re-
| suit OF its attempt to interfere with
Admiral Capertons measures.
inhabitants All Disarmed.
Admiral Caperton has disarmed the
| inha bitants of Port au Prince but
has not attempted to extend his con-
| troll beyond the edge of the city.
1t is likely attempts to snipe the
Americans will be frequent occur
rences at night when outposts are
placed around the town and that the
admiral may be compelled to take
steps to increase the zone under his
control
1t has been suggested here that occa-
sional sheIling of the woods which
surround the city of Port au Prince
would probably suffice to frighten any
snipers away.
Meantime the state department has
not yet reached a decision as to a pro-
gram to be pursued In Haiti beyond
the needs of the immediate situation.
The decision In this regard is already
largely up to President Wilson. though
the department of state has not fully
completed its consideration Of the situ-
alton and its recommendations.
Time to Act, Is General View
1t is the unanimous opinion of ali
who had any connection with Haitien
affairs, officially or otherwise, that the
moment has come for vigorous action
by the United States looking to the end
ing of the intolerable conditions which
have been permitted to prevail In the
negro republic
Haiti is bankrupt and without the
semblance Of a government. 1t Is ar
gued that if the American government
intends ever to act now is the time
For the present 1t is the intention to
4eep Admiral Caperton there and to
supply him with whatever forces he
deems necessary for the preservation
of order and for protecting all foreign
life and property.