Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-24
HAITI WAS SUSPICIOUS
Why 1t Refused to Admit Weather Blu
reau Station.
VIII Not BE Furnished With Any
warnings-Corre~pO on
the Subject.

1t has just developed that the Haitien
government, in its recent refusal to permit
the establishment Of United States
weather bureau there, based its action on a
suspicion that the United States intended 1t
as an initiative in territorial acquisition on
that island While almost all OF the gov
ernments negotiated with cheerfuliy Coop
Grated in the movement for extension of
our weather service, Haiti absolutely re-
fused. The result was instructions of the
most positive character refusing to allow
any word of our weather warnings in any
shape to reach that country. The CORE
follows:
The Request.
LEGATION OF UNITED STATES.
Port au Prince Haiti July =. 1895
Hon. Brutus st. Victor. Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, Port au Prince,
Haiti:
Sir-My government, in order to more
completely study the atmosphere changes
in the tropics. desires to establish meteoro-
logical stations in various parts of the
West Indies, South and Central America.
My government desires to have your repub-
lie join in the great benefit that viii be OBJ
tanned from the meteorological observa-
lions in the study of great hurricane and
storm centerS so prevalent at certain sea-
sons of the year in that section, which not
only bring widespread damage TO the COM
merce, but also lays waste great areas of
territory In the establishment of such
stations the knowledge VIII be such TO
give warning to the worlds commerce.
These stations viii be equipped with :he
latest and best Instruments TO study all
features of the atmosphere as they may
occur in those attitudes Desiring that you
shall share in the great benefit therefrom,
ii asks of you yolr cooperation in this adj
vancemeEt in the world of service, not by
ha. 81 Of 49,
but that one of these stations be estab-
lished within the limit OF your republic.
My government suggests, and, as | have
already stated, requests your cooperation
and consent that such an observatory be
located at Mole st. Nicholas. on account of
its advantageous position and its connec-
ton by cable with the leading commercial
centers. You will greatly favor nc by re-
turning an early reply.
Accept Mr.. Minister my high regard and
consideration. have the honor, etc.
W. F. POWELL.
The Refusal.
Haitis answer follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Port au Prince, July G, 1895.
Mr.. Minister:
I have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of dispatch of I'd Of this month, No.
1875. by which you inform me of tho desire
establishment of a meteorological observa-
tory at Mole St. Nicholas, and begging me
to obtain the assent of the Haitien gov
ernment in favor of the project. Wen ap-
preciating the eminent services that this
observatory would be called TO render to
navigation in general, the government of
the republic of Haiti, which I FASTENED to
inform of that interesting question giving
way TO consideration of high interior pol
tiles. sees itself with much regret, unable
to grant fayorably your request. l am well
persuaded. Mr.. Minister. that the space Of
time. short 1t may be. that has expired
since your happy arrival among US. will
amply suffice 10 a mind as perspicacious
and high as yours 10 appreciate al their
value the imperious reasons that have led
the Haitien government to take this de-
cisicn.
Please accept, ETC.,
B. ST. VICTOR.
The Result.
Promptly on the receipt of this Secretary
Wilson gave Chief Moore of the weather
bureau the following instructions:
Il forward you a copy of the Haitian
governments dispatch declining 10 permit
to establish meteorological station in
that territory. l think tits exceedingly un-
friendly on their part, but, of course. all
we can do is to make use of the contiguous
countries that are friendly to u.s. / desire
that in the conduct of your work in the
Caribbean sea you give no informal ton nor
copies of dispatches to the Haitian govern
ment and have no correspondence whaT-
ever with it along meteorological lines.
Evidently they are suspicious of Interior
motive on the part of this government, and
II Is our duty TO keep away from them en-