The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-22
The Mole st. Nicolas.

Mr.. CLEvRLANDS reported renewal OF
negotiations with Haytl for acquiring q
coaling station at Mole st. Nicolas. is mat
ter OF great interest to the people Of the
United States. The first question to sug-
gest itself. Of course. in view Of former
! failures. Is the present chance Of success.
On this point we may say that while the
difficulties under which Minister SMYTHE
will labor are great. they are not to be pro-
nounced insuperable. When the propo-
sition to acquire site at the Mole
was made to the Haytian Government by
Admiral GHERARDI and Minister DOUGLASS
1t was caught up by MANIGAT and other en-
emies Of President H1PPoLYTE. who accused
him Of plotting to sell part Of the island to
Its powerful neighbor. and thus to open the
way to the annexation OF the whole. Since
the best thing that could happen to Hayti
might be its incorporation into the Ameri-
can Union. this charge. il well found
ed. would hardly have been anything for
HRPonYTE to be ashamed OF. But the mat
ter was looked at differently in Hayti. es-
pecially when perverted by misrepresenta-
tions. HPPoLYTE found that he must give
his enemies no hold whatever on that
ground. Putting any advantages to Hayti
In the proposed lease against the chances
OF losing his own place. he determined not
to run this risk. His decision killed the
project at that time.
There were other elements which may
have contributed to the failure. Minister
DOUGLASS attached Importance to the fact
that. although Admiral GHERARDI was in
trusted with the main part In the negotla-
lions. very unfortunate delay was caused
by q lack OF completeness in the
Admirable credentials, and before the mis-
take could be rectifed fatal popular OPP
position was stirred up at Port-au-Prince.
He also complained that he was asked to
urge subsidy of 100000 from Haytl
for line OF steamers to New York, and
that the two projects injured each other.
The real misfortune was that the intro
duction OF the subsidy project helped to
worry the Minister. although he might
properly have neglected it as private bust
ness. However. here were two drawbacks
which do not exist now. Instructed by ex-
perience. the Government can avoid division
OF authority In renewing negotiations. and
also division Of interests.
Care. also. will probably be taken to avoid
any appearance OF intimidation. The pres
the enemies Of the project as the exercise
Of an undue pressure upon Hayti. While
nothing OF the sort was intended, that
source OF complaint can now be excluded.
But will not the former objection OF HIr-
PoLYrE to leasing site at Mole st. Nicolas
apply as forcibly now 1t would II founded
on patriotic scruples. but when he began
his movement to overthrow LEGITIME
he sent an agent to Washington
for the express purpose of propos-
ing this very plan of granting
naval station, on condition that the United
States Government would aid him. or
course no such stipulation could be entered
into by our Government. although its con-
duct In regard to the steamer Hay
uan Republic and to LEaITIME's pre-
tended blockade OF the northern ports.
practically assisted HIppoLYTE's cause.
He afterward repudlated any obligation on
this score. as his original proposal had not
been acceded to. But the important fact is
that he had offered to do all and more than
our Government now desires. II, according
Iy. he now feels sufficiently assured OF
power. and the consideration offered Is |
great enough. he may favor the project.
The remaining question is as TO the pop |
ular view OF the scheme. There 1t will be |
necessary to overcome opposition by show
Ing what the proposal OF our Government |
really is. The Constitution of Hayti for
bids the cession OF land to any foreign ma
ton. But that does not prevent the leasing
Of real estate to foreigners; and it need not
prevent. therefore, the leasing OF site at
Mole st. Nicolas for wharf and a coal yard |
The -Aaas subject haN been misrepresented |