New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-31
HAYTI SHIPPERS
KILL : In u. 5.
LANDING PARTY
Brooklyn Boy a Victim in
Night Attack on Port
au-PrinCe.
ADMIRAL SENDS CALL
FOR REINFORCEMENTS
Grave Situation Forerunner of
Long Campaign to Restore
Peace in Country.

lFrom The Tribune Buroaul
Washington, July 30.-Two blue
jackets of Rear Admiral Caperton's
landing force were killed at Port-au-
Prince, Hayti, last nigh: while defend
ing the city from an attack. The dead
are:
William C. Gompers, 1O7 Stockton
Street, Brooklyn.
Cason s. Whitehurst, Cos Clay Ave-
nue., Norfolk, Va.
Rear Admiral Carerton reported to
the Navy Department to-day that at
about 8 o'clock last night small band
OF revolutionists appeared from the
South. A detachment OF luejackets
were sent to put down the disturbance,
and snipers firing from the bushes
killed the two men. No one was wound
ed. The Rear Admiral gave No ac-
count of the casualties among the
Haytians.
The Rear Admiral had heard that
Port-au-Prince would be attacked dur-
ing the night and had made disposi-
tion Of his force for defence about 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The ex-
pected attack came about 8 o'clock, and
was confined mainly to sniping on the
outskirts Of the town. The attack was
successfully repulsed and the firing
ceased. Quiet and order were main
tanned in the interior of the city dur
ing the night.
Admiral Asks Reinforcements.
officials of the Navy Department are
fully alive to the seriousness of the
situation. The receipt Of a request
from Rear Admiral Caperton for i'm
mediate reinforcemerts was the first
indication of the real gravity of the
affair confronting him. It is felt that
a crisis has been reached and that
preparations must be made for a long
campaign in the Haytian capital.
Reinforcements are being rushed to
Rear Admiral Caperton's assistance on
the battleship Connecticut, which will
sail from Philadelphia tomorrow. The
total number Of men available for land
duty when the Connecticut arrives at
Port-au-Prince Tuesday, including ma
rines and bluejackets, will be well over
1000. Of these about 700 will be
marines.
Twepty-four machine guns and two
three-inch field pieces are being sent
with the marines, while the bluej jackets
will also have full equipment of light
artillery.
New York Sends Recruits.
The Connecticut will pick up l25
recruits at Hampton Roads. These men
will be used to NJ up gaps in the line
in the event Of casualties. Twenty
Eve recruits from New York will also
accompany the expedition.
Naval experts familiar with condi-
tions in Hayti say it is not difficult to
control the military situation at Port
au-Prince, provided a strong. force is
constantly kept on guard. Should the
troops be withdrawn from the city re-
newed outbursts would undoubtedly
take place.
II is understood the United States
will take no chances of renewal OF the
disturbances. and will insist upon the
formation of a responsible government
before the forces are withdrawn. A
volunteer committee of safety is now
the only actual governing power the
island has.
The assassination of President Viii
brun Guillaume left the country with
out a government. The revolutionary
chieftain. Rosalvo Bobo, is an avowed
hater of the American government, and
in anv case would hardly be acceptable
to the United States, in view of the
murder of President Guillaume. II IS
expected that the United States will
insist that elections be held under its
direct supervision. with the understand
ING that Bobo and other military lead
ers be eliminated.
Treaty for Supervision Likely.
When the government is formed
nressure will undoubtedly be brought
10 bear on it for the signing Of a
treaty with Hayti similar to that now
in force with the Dominican Republic,
giving the United States supervision
over the finances and custom houses
of the country.
The provision Of the Platt amend
ment TO the Cuban treaty giving the
United States the right TO intervene in
case of internal disturbances would
also be incorporated in such treaty.
This, it is believed, will be insisted on
by foreign powers, notably France,
which have important interests in
Hayti.
The Navy Department to-day ordered
the gunboat Nashville from San Do
mingo TO Cape Haitian to reinforce the
converted yacht Eagle, which was re-
ported to be having difficulty in con-
trolling the situation there.