Mr. Powell to Mr. May.
Port au Prince, April 10, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department of the political events that have recently occurred in the city of Santo Domingo, received by the mail arriving to-day, and which are from reliable sources, no detailed report having been made by the United States consul-general.
The political prisoners confined in the fort in the city on March 23 at 1 p.m., when both the military and civil authorities were at their homes and about two-thirds of the inhabitants of that city were enjoying their noon siesta, were released by some one, and to the number of seventy were supplied with arms and, headed by General Pepin, one of the prisoners, liberated those who had been confined for various crimes. These people were also given arms. Among the political prisoners released was Navarro, the former governor of Monte Christi and the leader in that movement a few months ago, and who had been captured and confined here; another released by the name of General Martines. These men and their followers soon disarmed the few guards on duty, and within a few minutes after their liberation had secured possession of the fortress. At a given signal the partisans of these people in the city, who were opposed to the provisional government under General Vasques, made an attack on the military authorities of the city and afterwards on the police force, and, being successful in both, secured full control of the city. After fighting nearly two hours, many being killed or wounded, General Sanchez, minister of foreign relations, and the postmaster-general, Mr. Castillon, sought asylum at the American consulate, Mrs. Vasques, the wife of the President, going to the Haitian legation. General Pichardo, the minister of war, was made a prisoner and confined in the fortress. Gen. A. W. Gil was named by the insurgents as the provisional President in place of General Vasques. A message was sent by the new Government that the minister of foreign relations and the postmastergeneral were free to return to their homes, which they did, but learning afterwards that they were to be made prisoners, General Sanchez secured asylum at the Italian consulate and Castillon returned to our consulate.
The revolutionists, immediately after securing possession of the city, seized the two Dominican naval vessels, one of which is not much larger than the steam tugs used in towing on our rivers. She was armed with two cannon and named the Colon. The other, the Independencia, is of [Page 391] the type of the Topeka. Quiet prevailed in the city from March 23 until April 2. From that time up till the departure of the French steamer fighting has been constantly going on, in which many on both sides have been killed. The Atlanta, Captain Turner, arrived on the 2d and landed a party of sailors to protect the consulate and the “La Fé” estate, where is located, the office of the mining and railroad companies, American, and where the vice-president, Mr. Adams, and wife, and a party of engineers are stopping. This place is about 4 miles from the city.
General Vasques, it is said, with an army of 3,000 men, reached by a forced march the environs of the city two days before the arrival of the Atlanta, and since that time fighting has been going on. He has occupied three sides around the city, on the highlands which command the city. His position is very strong, as he holds the city at his mercy, and, unless dislodged by the forces of General Gil, will compel the latter to surrender, as he controls all the approaches to the city. Several attempts have been made to dislodge him by the revolutionists, but they have failed, while General Vasques on his side has endeavored to enter the city, but each time has been repulsed with loss. In one point of view the revolutionists have slightly the best of it, as aside from holding the city, they are in possession of the fort, in which there is stored a large amount of arms and ammunition, which is a serious loss to General Vasques.
Captain Turner is acting with the foreign consuls and at the time the mail left was endeavoring to secure an agreement between the opposing forces in the interest of peace, but I believe failed, as firing had again commenced as the vessel was leaving.
The doctor from the Atlanta was giving active assistance to the Red Cross Society in attending to the wants of the wounded. His action, with that of Captain Turner, has strengthened the feeling of the people in our favor. The Presidente, Vasques’s vessel, attempted to bombard the city without previous notice. One shell fell in the court yard of the German consulate, but fortunately did not explode. Captain Turner sent a message to this vessel, requesting firing to cease. As the Presidente continued, Captain Turner prepared his vessel for action. The Dominican vessel, seeing this, ceased firing and left, and up to the departure of the mail had not returned.
The next day the Vineta, German naval vessel, arrived, and learning the Atlanta had landed sailors, sent ashore 150 of its crew to protect, as was stated, the German consulate and to look after English interests, and shortly after its arrival an Italian and a Dutch naval vessel reached the harbor, making four foreign naval vessels.
The city is entirely isolated from the outside world, the cables being cut, so that telegrams have to be sent by special messenger to Cotuy, a place about 30 miles from the city. The Clyde steamship New York could only come as far as Macoris, leaving her freight and mail there. The Annex (French) could not leave her cargo, but hopes to land it on her return, if allowed and affairs are more favorable.
I am informed that the streets were being barricaded and that cannon were being placed at the most accessible points, as it was expected that General Vasques would make an attack within a few days. A battle took place on the 5th, the day the mail left for this place. I am informed by the Dominican minister, Mr. Gonzales, that the revolutionists, under General Gil, had made an attack on General Vasques, [Page 392] and had been repulsed with great loss, four of their leading generals being killed, among whom were Generals Pepin (the leading spirit in the present movement), Navana, and Martinez.
This movement should not be classed as one in favor of the last President, Mr. Jiminez, as it is not. The present movement is as much opposed to Mr. Jiminez as it is to General Vasques, its main object being to make the Hon. Alexandro W. Gil President as the candidate of the Reds or the party of the late General Heureux. * * *
I have, etc.,