Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-03
HAYTI'S SAD CONDITION.
Civil War Continues Because a Few
Men Make Money Out of 1t.

CePe Haytien Correspondence New York Herald
Having recently visited POrt-au-Prince st.
Marc. Gonaives, Mole st. Nicolas, and Cape
Haytien, an satisfied that Haytian affairs
have changed little, if at all, since last Deem
Der. The armies of Legitime and Hyppolite
confront each other at five or six points. are
about equally divided. and are content to en-
gage in an occasional skirmish. The north has
two ships, the Jacmel and the Carondelet both
of them stationed at Cape Haytien, but not
considered sufficiently strong to attack the
navy Of Legitime. Last week the Jacmel, un-
der Capt. Compton, made a dash into the
enemy's country, captured a schooner loaded
with arms and ammunition and took some pris-
oners. Owing to the sudden appearance of
Legltime's gunboats, however, the prize was
sunk by the captors.
Inc southern navy is engaged in blockadng
St. Marc, having headquarters at Grand Saline
about ~ miles from the entrance to ST. Marc
harbor. 1t consists of the Toussant rOuver-
ture, Dessalines, Belize, and three small gun
boats. These ships have bombarded Cape
Haytien, Gonaives, and st. Marc-the last two
places number of times, with the result of
killing one woman and woundlng six seven
people. No damage was done to property.
BLooDsUCKERs PRoLoSa THE WAR
In none of these places does there seem to be
a desire to have hostilities end The men in
power on both sides draw large salaries as long
as the war continues, and as their method of
fighting brings no hardships to themselves
they prefer to keep up the seeming fight rather
than run the risk of losing salary. occupation
and possibly life by defeat in battle
The governments have no difficulty in Dor
rowing money enabling them to pay large
salaries and high prices for war material This
money is advanced by the bankers and mer-
chants az high rate OF interest-from 20 to Is
per cent They receive bonds in return, and
these bonds are good no matter which side
wins, and are taken in payment Of import and
export duties. The trade is chiefly carried on
by foreigners, who buy logwood, coffee, cotton,
&c. with the deprecated currency of the
country, one dollar in gold being worth s13O
10 ~. 40 In paper, while they import stores
porvlslons, arms and ammunition, which they
sell at fancy prices. All this does not bear so
heavily upon the people in the seaport towns
who are given employment and get whatever
they need. as upon the poor and Ignorant
classes IN the country. When fighting stops
business Is at a standstil the country is in debt
and there is general suffering.
LE6ITIME RECOGNIZED ABROAD.
The French and English governments have
recognized Gen. Legitime, and their ships no
longer visit the northern ports German yes-
sells also have orders either from their govern
ments or owners not to touch at these ports
The government Of San Domingo recognizes
LeG1tme, and no longer allows arms and am
munitlOn to be landed for transshipment to
this northern government, thus leaving all the
trade with American ships. The United
States by not recognizing either government
as a bone fde one and refusing to acknowl-
edge paper blockade enables her ships to
supply whatever is needed. In a commercial
sense this is great advantage. knowing,
however, that to use this advantage prolongs
the war. begets q spirit Of usury and fosters the
worst vices and passions Of these people.