A HAITIAN FETE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16020, 11 September 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

A HAITIAN FETE.

PRESIDENT CUT TO PIECES.

While nobody is looking the negro Republic of Haiti, the home and creation of the black patriot Toussaint L'Onvertore, is celebrating its annual fete in the usual way.

According to Renter telegrams from the capital, Port-au-Prince, mutinous Government troops recently attacked the President'B palace, which was in flames. President Gnillaume took refuge at the French Legation, whither his family had already preceded him. The Governor, ©scar, took refuge in the Dominican Legation. On the same day Oscar,- who supporter President Gnillaume, caused the execution at the outbreak of the revolutionary movement in the city, of all political prisoners, numbering 160, in the hands of the Government. The victims included the ex-President Zamor. When the people learned of the massacre their indignation was extreme, and a mob invaded the Dominican Legation, seized Oscar, and dragged him before the door of the Legation, where he was executed by a fusillade of rifle fire. Then the mob, which was in a terrible state of excitement, turned to the French Legation and threatened to invade it and effect the execution of Guillaume. ' The following morning they achieved thei> object, dragged the unfortunate man from the Legation, and shot him. According to an official report issued by the Washington State Department, the mob tore bis body to pieces and paraded the town carrying the portions at the end of poles. Alter being dragged through the street, the mutilated body was buried by several women in a cemetary outside the Capitol. The city is quiet. The United States cruiser Washington has arrived at Port-au-Prince. No single President of Haiti has succeeded in earning the official salary (£4BOO a vear) for the full term of office. 1 " General" Lecomte perished in a fire which destroyed his palace in 1912. The next President, Michel Oreste, seems to have been a civilian, but was replaced by General Zamor in 1913. The latter found the climate " unhealthy," and left hurriedly on a Dutch steamer, his place being taken by General Theodore. Another revolution in January last placed General Vilbrun Guillaume at the head of the Republic.