The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-18
Iiayti.

arc 80 we'll known that they hardly need to
he stated again; and, besides. they are UNI
important for our present purpose. 1t Is
enough to say that In September, 1888,
civil war had broken out In Haytt between
LEaITIME and HIPPoLYTE. Tho former
was then In actual possession OF the capital
with the whole Government machinery and
archives, and the greater part OF the Hay
tian territory was In his power. Only the
northern city OF Cape Haytien and some
neighborng towns were under tho actual
control OF his antagonist. Moreover, Eng
land, France. and nearly all the other Eu-
ropean powers recognized LEa1T1ME as the
lawful ruler Of Haytl. They even went 30
far ss to regard as an actual blockade LE-
arTIME's orders to his few armed vessels d.
recting the capture OF neutral ships that
should attempt to enter either Of the ports
included In his alleged blockade.
Under such circumstances, and for the
first time in the diplomatic history OF Haytl,
tho fate OF that country was known to
depend on the decision which might by
reached by the Government Of the United
States. The sovereign arbiter Of the
pending controversy was no longer an
European power; 1t had now fallen to the
lot OF tho United States to render final judy
ment in the case. In this respect the events
that occurred In Hayti IN 1888 and 1889 mark
0 worry important step In the steady growth
OF American influence in tho Antilles Short
sighted observers may have thought that
struggle between negroes was OF little
importance; yet the interest taken by think
ing people, and the large amount OF matter
relating to this subject which was pub
lished by tho press. indicated conclusively
novel ono, had arisen.
Mr.. CLEVELAND was still President OF the
United States and Mr.. BAYARD was Secre-
tary Of State. The main problem which
pressed upon them concerning Hayti was
this: Shall tho United States recognize
LE0ITIME and respect his blockade. thus
putting an end to tho bloody conflict going
on in Hayti2 Or will it be better for the
United States to refrain from acting, to let
civil war follow Its course. and to endeavor
to deal protitably with either one or
tho other OF the oontending parties
Thus from an International point Of view
everything depended on tho question Of the
recognition Of LEarTIME by the United
States. II neither party to such an inter-
necine war should DO recognized, the princi-
pies OF American neutrality could not be
enforced by our courts; and the fitting out
Of ships, the organization Of expeditions,
could hardly be stopped or prevented
since neither contending party being rec
ognized by tho executive branch Of our
Government, no violation Of international
obligations could be charged or proven.
"The fact OF public recognition OF any
prince. State. colony district, or people as
. belligerent," said Judge BENEDICT in pro-
nouncing Judgment In the case OF tho Con-
serva, vessel chartered IN the interest, OF
HRPoLYTE, "is one to be made known to all
mon by public proclamation from the Exec
utve. Such being the law, it seems plain
that this prosecution must fall for want OF
proof that either H1PPoLYTE or LEG1T1ME
must have been recognized by our Govern
ment as belligerent powers. In the absence
Of proof OF that fact, the fitting out OF a ves-
sci to enter the service Of ono to commit
hostilities against the other Is not brought
within the statute"
What reasons induced Mr.. CLEvEnAND's
Administration to reject LEa1TIME's claim
to recognition? This question Is hard to
answer, for at the time the policy Of the
State Department was not clearly laid down.
No agreement had been entered upon with
HIPPoLYTE. Tho proposed cession OF the Mole
st. Nicolas and the projected commercial
arrangements which were published a few
weeks ago, are OF dates subsequent to the
adoption Of the policy above referred to; and
no ono can say whether or not an early I'M
derstsnding had previously brought the
IN Inf
with Mr.. CLEvELANDs Administration.
However that may be- the withholding OF
all recognition from LEaITIME, and the CON-
sequent policy Of dlsregarding his blockade
OF the northern and western parts of Hayt.
sealed LBaIT1ME's fate. His downfall was
simply matter Of time Indeed. it might
have been fairly assumed that no European
power would undertake to disturb Admiral
GHKRARDI's operations, or to counteract
the policy OF the United States In Hay
tan waters. At the Same time Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND committed very serious blunder.
Since he had decided upon the downfall OF
LEGITIME. and since HIPPOLYTE had made
to tho United States certain concessions In
writing, these concessions should have been
enforced without further delay. The Mole
81. Nicolas, the coalinR station proposed
and promised to the United States by HIP.
PoLYTE, was neither defended nor inhabited
As HIPpoLYTE's success depended upon the
policy Of tho United States, II the United
States navy had established sort OF pro-
visional station at the Mole. that is to say
In portion Of the Haytlan territory which
was claimed or virtually controlled by HIP.
1oLYTE. how could he have found fault with
Admiral GHERARDI's taking possession OF
1t when his own success depended wholly
on the United States!
But while assistance was freely given tt
HpPoLrTE by President CLEVELAND. no &C
tual guarantee OF good faith was exacted
from him. The Democratic Secretary o.
State OF the United States had probably for
gotten the various speeches upon the col
ored race which he had delivered In the
Senate. As Secretary OF State he accepted Al
satisfactory and as sufficiently binding thu
empty. barren promises OF a Haytlan negro
who agreed to execute his contract n
some future time, which was left who'll,
undetermined.