Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-08
GEN. RUSSELL TELLS
OF HAITI R|OT|NG
Report Suggests Reinforce
mentS Be Sent "As Situa-
ton Is Not Cleared Up"

l.
err at Haiti, describing actions of the
rioting mob of 1900 which led to
clash with patrol of 20 United States
Marines, resulting in the killing Of five
of the rioters. which quoted conditions
at Cages, and reporting rumors of revolt
around Jacmel, were made public late
yesterday by the State Department
here.
Gen. Russell incorporated in his re-
port suggestion that reinforcementS
be sent to American forces, las the
situation is not clearing up"
U. S. S. Wright Dispatched.
An order by the Navy Department,
dispatching the u. S. S. Wright, an
aircraft tender and flagship of the air
craft squadron, scouting fleet, from
Hampton Roads, carrying 469 enlisted
men. to Port au Prince, also was made
public.
The first of the two statements is
sued by the State Department is as
follows:
THE department has been informed
by Brig. Gen. John H. Russell, Ameri-
can high commissioner at Haiti. that
information was received on December
6, by garde commander at Cages that
mob was moving on the city. On
that date the garde guarded the city
while Marines were at garde barracks at
the entrance to the town. Marines sent
by patrol with garde commander out
to meet advancing mob about 200 yards
from the barracks. Leaders of mob Of
about 1900 demanded to enter city to
assist strikers. They were told strikers
were back at work, but. as they would
not believe Capt. Swink, the leaders
were allowed to pass through the line,
enter the town and confer with the
strike leaders. They returned later and
demanded the release of three prison.
erS; otherwise they should advance on
the town. Their request being refused
they advanced down the road toward
the patrol and through the cainf1eldS
on each side of the road. The patrol
of 20 Marines fired over their heads
and the mob halted but after half an
hour again advanced. The patrol fired
again over the mob, but when the mob
closed in with rush and at least one
leader was in the midst Of the patrol
the patrol fired into the mob, killing
five and wounding 20.
Mob in Ugly Mood.
Cali reports are to the effect that
the patrol exercised great forbearance
as it was being constantly stoned and
the mob was in an ugly mood. Effective
fire was not employed until necessary
THE mob dispersed and all is now
quiet at Cages.
Commissioner Russell has arranged
for the evacuation Of women and chill
dren from Aux Cages today by steamer.
AT Jacmel papers have been seized
showing that many automatic pistols
had come TO the country from Gaute-
mala.
1T is rumored that the country peo-
pie aroud Jacmel are in revolt. The
garde commander has sent 80 men to
Jacmel.
THE telephone line from Gobedere
to Jacmel was cut as well as the line
from Gonaives to Grosmorne.
Commissioner Russell has requested
that the Galveston proceed immedi-
ately to Jacmel.
1.-The commissioner concluded his
telegram by stating that 1t is apparent
that the opposition press and the agi-
tators have inf1amed the country and
as the situation is not clearing up as
rapidly as he had hoped he suggested
that reinforcements be sent"
The second statement, predicated on
an earlier message which was delayed,
said:
The telegram from Gen Russell
concerning the incident at Aux Cages
on December 6, when a patrol of 20
Marines was unable to repel the rush
OF a mob by firing over their heads
and forced to fire into the mob, killing
and wounding 20, was filed at mid
night, December 6.
"A telegram from Commissioner Rus
SELL dated 8 pm, December 6, was de-
layed in transmission to give priority
to the telegram concerning the above
incident. The 8 pm. telegram only
reached the department late this aft
ernoon. 1t reciteS the situation on the
morning of December 6, as follows:
Situation Clears Up.
cat Aux Cages with the arrival of
the detachment of Marines at 10
o'clock the night of December 6, the
situation quickly cleared up. The Amer
lean women and children who had
taken refuge in the Garde Compound
on the edge of the town returned to
their homes and order was Immediately
restored. Conditions were StabiliZing
throughout the country, as the effect
of the measures taken by the brigade
commander The public works service,
which was scheduled to strike on De-
cember S, decided not to strike, and
has been established men were apply
ing in excess for positions at the Gus
toms house.
"On December press kilograms
concerning the comment of the De-
partment of State that this Govern
ment was gratified at the declaration of
President Borno that he will not be
a candidate for the presidential cleo
ton of April, 1880, were received and
lfaINn IN, 10 {ENf Of
this information in Haiti had an ex-
cellent effect.
Members of the Haitian press on
December 5 stated they had no feel
ing or complaint against the United
States forces and, Furthermore, that
they realized that one thing had led
to another and the strike had rapidly
developed a situation, the gravity of
which had not been foreseen.
I'm view of the present condition
and the placing of the Galveston at
his disposal. Commissioner Russell felt
that an increase OF strength of the
brigade was not necessary and that 1t
was his intention to have the Marines
withdrawn from Aux Cages immedi-
ately upon the Stablllzatlon OF cOndi-
lions and he had instructed the bri-
gade commander accordingly"
Navy Dispatches Marines.
The dispatch of Marine reinforce
ments was announced by the Navy De-
partment in the following statement:
Provisional Marine Battalion con-
sisting of 81 Marine officers, two medi-
cal oficers, ". S. Navy and one
Marine gunner and 469 enlisted men
sailed at noon today on the U. S. S.
Wright from Hampton Roads, Va, for
Port au Prince, Haiti.
'rThe Wright Is an aircraft tender
and flagship Of the aircraft squadron,
scouting feet.
THE Provisional Marine Battalion is
commended hv Mai Louis e. Pagan u