Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-18

has SO long desired to possess In these
waters. The island was granted under
very liberal conditions some years ago
Ia ihree Haitlens Mn. Nord Alexis, y.
RIviore and DR.. Aubrey. only NJ.
Alexis Is now living and the concession
remains unexpected. isiviere was one
of the few really enterprislng native
business men that Haiti has produced.
He owned the Haitlen line OF coastlng
steamers which connects the capital
with the principal seaports and was
held in high esteem by natives and
foreigners alike. While always keep
ing clear OF personal responsibility IN
connection with the politics OF the
country, he WAS always consulted ny
the various presidents and ministers
whose rise and fan he witnessed.
The island Of Gonaives Is almost IN
cllculnhly rich in mahogany. II IS
mainly composed of picturesque up
lands. which would also Yield enor-
mously in coffee II properly cultivated.
The highest mountain peak rises about
5000 feet above the sea, and with the
neighboring submits presents a most
striking appearance. especially when
viewed from the mainland and Invest
ed with the varying glamor OF the sun
set. At midsummer the sun, as seen
Prince, descends Immediately behind
the island. The rugged Shore guarded
by many hidden reefs, affords but two
commodious ports, one the Bale Du
Bare, on the southeastern side, and the
other the Ansea GRlets, on the north
eastern. There are several promon-
tories commandlngly situated, which
would be available for defense.
In the interior are numerous springs.
while the dark soil is evenly moistened
throughout the year and has u fertll-
ity that Is proverblal even In Haiti.
a land possessing the richest natural
means Of production in the world. Fine
beef cattle are fattened in the valleys.
The population Is as yet extremely
small. but II Is close and convenient to
the chief city of the republic.
The men who own the Industrial
concession of 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 Its benefits,
but there are able lawyers here who
believe way could be found to eludc
the prohibItory provisions in this re-
spect. The concessionaires or their
heirs are very DESTROYS of selling their
rights and, of course, there Is no
choice of doing so TO any but foreign
ers, especially in the present distressed
condition of the people. The favorlte
method of evading the constitutional
hiefl ownership VI ItdI
estate Is hypothecation.
IL one of the objects of an American
naval station in Haitien waters were
to overawe the capital of the country,
certainly Gonalves would be eligible.
1t has been suggested by way of OBJ
lection that the northern shore of the
channel of st. Marie is 50 northern
there that the Notifications might
command those of the island. The
channel. however, Is nearly 10 miles
wide and the heights on the northern
side are considerably moved from the
shore.
j. c. Bussellman, of Port Au Prince,
represents the concesssonalres, or their
heirs. and Is ready to enter into any
arrangement with the United States
government. Minister Powell. l I'M
derstand. has already brought the
matter to the attention of the state de-
pnrtment.