The members of the French colony took refuge on the French ships in the
harbor; the Germans hurried on board their own vessels; the English
sought shelter on their trading steamers; and the Americans, having no
vessels in the harbor, went to the house of the minister, carrying with
them the most valuable of their possessions.

President Simon Sam determined to resist as long as he dared. He sent a
request to the commander of the German vessels, for more time to
consider.

The German commander refused, and one of the "schoolships" cleared its
decks for action, and took up a position close to the Haitian
war-vessels.

Clearing the decks for action means that everything possible is removed
from the deck, and a clear space left for the sailors to work the ship
in.

The Haitians then became convinced that Germany would not be trifled
with, and the Government decided to yield.

President Simon Sam had feared that if he yielded too easily, the people
would be infuriated with him, and try to put down his Government, so he
held out until the cruiser was actually threatening the town, and then
submitted. The money demanded by Germany as damages for Lueders, $30,000
in all, was sent on board the German vessel.

The President at the same time issued a notice to the people of Haiti,
telling them he had been compelled to yield the rights of Haiti to the