The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-25
HAITI SUSPICIOUS OF us.
Heiuses Permission for n Mole 81
Nicholas Obserxafo

Early in the Summer steps were fata,
by the Administration to establish a choir
OF weather bureau stations in the Vyas.
ihdian Islands and Central America. so
mat the approach OF hurricanes Originate
ing in those waters might be announced
10 shipping on the Southern coast.
Inc haste with which the project was
pushed was partly due to a desire N
protect the American fleet then on block
ade d1ty. The various governments
"lthih whose territory il was proposed
10 establish stations readily gave con-
sent with the single exception OF Haiti.
While the specific reasons for refusing
are not given in the correspondence be-
tween Minister Powell and the Haitien
foreign office, 1t is undoubtedly due 10 a
rear on the part of the Haitiens that the
establishment of a station at Mole St.
Nicholas might be the beginning Of terri
torial acquisition on that island by the
United States. Mr.. PowelPs letter fol-
lows:
Legation of the United States.
Port au Prince. Haiti. July 2. 1895
Hon. Brutus st. Victor, Secretary OF
State for Foreign Affairs:
'Sir-My government, in order 10 more
completely study the atmospheric changes
In the tropics. desires to establish meteor
illogical stations in various parts of the
West Indies, South and Central America
My government desires TO have your
Republic join in the great benefit that
viii be obtained from these. meteorologf-
cal observations In he establishment
of such stations the knowledge will be
such as 10 give warning 70 the worlds
commerce. These stations will be
equipped with the latest and best inStru-
ments TO study all features of the at
mosphere as they may occur in those LAT
itudes.
Desiring that you shall share in the
great benefit therefrOm. my government
asks your cooperation. not by the ex-
penditure of money on your part, but
that one of these stations be established
within the limits of your Republic. Ny
government suggests, and as I have al
ready stated. requests your cooperation
and consent that such an observatory be
located at Mole St Nicholas, on account
OF its advantageous position and its con-
nection by cable with the leading COM
mercial centers. You will greatly favor
me by returning an early reply"
The reply, couched in the stilted dipIo-
matte language that might be used By
one OF the great powers in a question of
the Sravest moment. is as follows:
| Department of State
For Foreign Relations.
Port au Prince, July s, 1888
'Mr. Minister: I have the honor to ac-
| knowledge the receipt of a dispatch Of
! the I'd of this month. No 1s5. by which
you inform me Of the desire of your gov
eminent to proceed 70 the establishment
Of meteorological observatory at Mole
st Nicholas. and begging me TO obtain
the assent of the Haitien government in
favor of the project
Well approaching the eminent services
that this observatory would be called 10
render 10 navigation in general the CIV
eminent of the Republic of Haiti which
l fastened to inform of that interesting
| question, giving way TO consideration OF
high interior politics, sees itself. With
| much regret, unable 10 grant faVorab bly,
| your request.
II am well persuaded, Mr. Minister. tnas
the space OF time. short as it may be.
| that has expired since your happy ar
rival among US will amply suffice 10 a
! mind as perspicuOus and high as yours
TO appreciate a their value the imperiOus
| reasons that have led the Haitien gov
| eminent to take this decision
"B- ST VICTOR"
In transmitting the refusal to Chief
Moore. of the Weather Bureau, Secre-
/ tary Wilson makes this comment:
Il forward you a copy OF the Haitien
/ governments dispatch declining 10 permit
( US 10 establish a meteorological station
/ in that territory. / think il is exceedingly
| uafriendly on their part. but, OF course.
| all we can do is to make use of the con-
/ tiguOus countries that are friendly to Us.
/ desire that in the conduct Of your work
/ in the Caribbean Sea you give no infOrma-
/ ton nor copies of dispatches TO the Hal
! tien government. and have no correspond
/ ence whatever with it along meteOrolost-
| cal lines Evidently they are suspicious
| OF an Interior motive on the part OF this
1 government. and it is our duty to keep
! away from them entirely"