The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-11
Haiti.

American Republics is a handbook about
Haiti. The compilers seem to have had un
usual opportunities OF obtaining official sta.
ttstics and trustworthy information. and
the data collected are concisely and skill.
fully set forth. Some OF the facts are worth
reproducing for the light they throw on
the actual condition and prospects Of the
Haitian republic.
The island OF Hlspaniola is but a little
smaller than Ireland. containing about &c, :
900 square miles. By q treaty made be-
tween France and Spain In ITO, the French
received the western third Of the island; II
is. OF course. this territory which consti-
tutes to-day the Haitian republic. In l791 IL
was estimated that the population slightly
exceeded half q million. II Is not believed
that any full and accurate census has been
taken since the colonial days. The emu
meration made some thirty years ago by
Gen. GEFFRARD went only far enough to
| show that there we're considerably fewer
than million inhabitants. Quite recently,
however. the Roman Catholic clergy have
taken for ecclesiastical purposes census
which Is generally acknowledged to APP
proximate to the truth. According to their
figures. the present population OF Haiti
somewhat exceeds a million. The growth
has been almost wholly due to natural in
crease. The attempts made by President
BOYER In 1924 and by President GEFPRARD
In 1860 to promote immigration from the
United States had no considerable results
1t Is only during the last few years that
there has been a noteworthy inflow OF col
ored immigrants from the neghboring ISL
ands. especially from those where the Eng
lish language prevails.
The first thing which immigrants to Haiti
have to do Is to learn to disuse their native
tongue for the language spoken by the
educated classes is French. while the masses
OF the people speak dialect Of French which
Is called the Creole. and whose leading
characteristic is excessive abbreviatlon. 1t
Is said that this dialect can be acquired
by foreigner ofaverage intelligence in the
course OF few months. The method OF
dealing with religions seems to be modelled
upon that followed in France. Under a
concordat. the Catholic Church is established
to this extent. that the Bishops and priests
receive dwellings and pay from the Govern
ment. in addition to regulated fees. But
the State also makes appropriations to
Protestant denominations. which include
ehO 'coicy Iuc african 1ltJuOulSLS, Lne
Baptists. and the Episcopalians. The last
have twelve ordained clergymen and seven
teen stations In Haiti. Passing to educa-
ton. we observe proofs of remarkable prog
ress during the last thirty years. In 1860,
there were only 1856 public schools. Fifteen
years later. there were 36s. while In 1891 the
number had increased to $50. which repre-
sents considerably more than eight schools
to every commune. The appropriation for
public instruction In the fiscal year 1891 90
was 1881 200. or only little less than ST. a
head for the entire population. In addition
to the establishments supported by the
State. there are number OF private schools,
especially in the cities. and every one OF the
religious denominations offers special edu-
cational facilities. Measures have also been
taken to supply instruction OF a higher
grade. At Port-au-Prince there is a medi-
cal school. law school, and a Lycee or
National College. besides two Catholic SEM
inaries. whose course OF study corresponds
to the usual university curriculum. We
should add that large number OF Haitian
young men are annually sent to Paris TO
complete their education.
The foreign commerce OF Haiti still falls
far short Of the figures attained In colonial
days. In 1871. the exports were officially
valued at upward Of $4,000. 900. more than
half of which was credited to sugar. About
the same time. the imports were appraised
at $40. $50. 600. which did not include the |
estimated value OF about thirty thousand |
slaves bought during the year. In 1891, on |
the other hand. the exports were valued at |
only sl4. s4o. 900. and the imports at Ss,s23.-
900. 1t is noteworthy that at least two |
thirds OF the imports came from the United |
States. the next largest purveyor being |
and France occupying only the |
third place. Among the commodities sent |
from the United States. breadstuffs and |
provisions. dried and smoked fish. manu-
features OF cotton and manufactures Of
wood. figured in the order named. At
present. the chief article OF export is not
sugar. but coffee. Here. too. the republic
has never equalled the colonial record, for.
In l7se. there were more than lightweight
million pounds OF coffee exported. while the
next largest output, that OF 1888. was only
eighty-six millions. The average an
nual export since 1885 Is about sixty
three million pounds. The article OF ex-
port which is next to coffee In importance
Is logwoOd. In 1880. not less than three
hundred and twenty-one million pounds Of
ogwood was shipped. but the average
yearly expectation since then has been
about one hundred and seventy-eight mil
ion pounds. There Is not an article on the
list OF exports whose production and expor-
alton would not be greatly increased If the
means OF communication with the Interior
,ould be improved. The excellent roads
which existed in colonial times. have disap-
oeared, and mules and donkeys at present
constitute the sole means Of transportation.
There are now, however. several projects
or railway lines under consideration. and
here Is no doubt that the prosperity Of
Haiti depends upon their prosecution.