The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-17
ISLAND OF GONAIVES.
Haitien Dependency That Would
Make Good CoaIinE Station.


Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 16. - United
States Minister Powell is much impressed
with the idea that the Island of Gonaives,
In the Gulf of Leogane, or Gonaives, the
largest dependency of Haiti, would afford
the naval station which the United States
has so long desired to possess in these
waters. The island was granted under very
liberal conditions some years ago to three
Haitians, NM. Nord Alexis and B. Revere
and DR.. Aubrey. Only NJ Alexis is now
living, and the possession remains unex-
plotted. Revere was one of the few really
enterprising native business men that Haiti
has produced He owned the Haitian line
of coasting steamers, which connects the
capital with the principal seaports, and was
held in high esteem by natives and foreign
ers alike. While always keeping clear of
personal responsibility in connection with
the politics of the country, he was always
consulted by the various Presidents and
ministers whose rise and fall he witnessed.
The Island of Gonaives is almost meal
culably fich in mahogany. 1t is mainly
composed of picturesque uplands, which
would also yield enormously in coffee If
properly cultivated. The highest mountain
peak rises about three thousand feet above
the sea, and, with the neighboring sum-
mits presents a most striking appearance,
especially when viewed from the mainland
and invested with the varying glamour of
the sunset. AT midsummer the sun, as seen
from the Champ de Mars, Port -au-Prince,
descends Immediately behind the island.
The rugged shore, guarded by many hidden
reefs, affords but two commodious ports,
one the Bal du Pare, on the southeastern
side, and the other the AnSe Galets, on the
n.
tories commandingly situated which would
be available for the defense. In the interior
are numerous springs, while the dark soil
is evenly mostened throughout the year
and has fertility that is proverbial even
IN Haiti, land possessing the richest nat
ural means of production in the world. Fine
beer cattle are fattened in the valleys. The
population is as yet extremely small but it
IS close and convenient to the chief city of
the republic.
The men who own the industrial conces-
sion for the island of Gonaives have been
unable to raise capital enough to exploit it.
AS is usual, the terms of the grant exclude
foreigners from any participation in the
who believe way could be found to elude
the prohibitory provisions in this respect.
The concessionaires,. or their heirs. are
very DESTROYS of selling their rights, and,
of course, there is no chance of doing so to
any but foreigners, especially in the present
distressed condition of the people. The IA
vorite method of evading the constitutional
prohibition of alien ownership of real eS-
tate is hypothecation.
II one OF the ODJecJS or an American naval
station in Haitian waters were to overawe
the capital Of the country, certainly Co
naives would be eligible. 1t has been sug-
gested by way of objection that the north
ern shore of the channel of st. Marie is so
northern. that Notifications there might
command those on the island. The channel,
however, is nearly fifteen miles wide, and
the heights on the northern side are con-
sderably removed from the shore.
J. c. Bussellman, of Port-au-Prince, rep
resents the concessionaires or their heirs,
and Is ready to enter into any arrangement
with the United States government. Minis
ter Powell, ! understand. has already
brought the matter to the attention of the
State Department.