New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-12
THE UNITED STATES IN HAYTI
MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH A
COALING STATION THERE.
COULD NOT BID DONE EXCEPT BIT AGREEMENT
WITH sANTo DOMINGO. BECAUSE OF
TREATY BETWEEN THE TWO.
Copyright 1898. by the Associated Press)

TREATY BETwEEN THE TWO.
Copyright 1898 by the Associated Press)
Port au Prince. Hayti. May ASIDE from the
traditional policy OF the Haytian nation. dating
from 1876. excluding aliens from the holding OF
real property. and the strong sentiment which still
exists In support OF It among the ignorant ma
Jority OF the population. there is practical obeta
Gle OF no small importance 10 the acquisition by
the United States OF title In fec simple to coal
ing station anywhere the shores o! the Island
This Is the secret treaty between Hayu and Santo
Domingo. In which each republic pledges Itself never
to cede TO any extreneous Power portion OF It's
territory for whatever purpose or use II may oe DO
sired
American Ministers to tho twin republics have
discovered that this treaty IL really more serious
impedment the progress Of any negotiations
looking to the acquisition OF the Mole St Nicolas
or SANTANA Bay than the somewhat fnncnul senti-
ment Of tho people. There is no doubt that the
Haytan Government would have small scr'ipie IN
getting around tho constitutional prohibition oy
perpetual lease or otherwise II II not for the
embarrassing position in which It would then be
placed in relation to Santo Domingo. That republic.
on the other hand restrained by like reason as
concerns It's obligations to Hayti double com
mission to treat In both capitals at once with the
object OF bringing the two Governments tn joint
convention in favor OF the naval requirement OF
the United States might he successful where sepa-
rate negotiation would continue to fail
There is ground for tho belief that both tho Ad-
ministration OF Iiayt and that OF Santo Domingo
cordially disposed toward America
than for some time past. and the cause OF this fact
is largely be found In the decisive step which the
United States has taken TO insure the freedom and
self government OF Cuba. Popular sympathy among
the Haytans and the Domnicans IS almost wholly
with the Cuban.. and there has even been some
talk OF raising native battalion TO be joined 10
the American army Of invasion.
Friendship for America among the Haytian po-
cal class suffered something OF a setback
at the crisis OF the Lueders difficulty. through
tho negative diplomatic course 81 the United States
Government. IL Is certain tina; II America had at
that time actively ntervenei TO see that exact
Justice done between Lueders and the Hay
tan municipal authorizes. restraining Germany
from OF pure despotic coercion. President
Sam and all the statesmen o, Hayti who count FOR
anything would. for the asking have placed tho
future of the country absolutely In American hands
We then could have obtained whatever coaling sta
ton we desired within It's borders: tho Haytan
Chambers would have voted with nlacri'y for the
repeal Of Article VI OF the Constitution denying
property rights TO Foreigners. AMI Americans could
have obtained. IN preference to all others. conc"s-
sions that would have promptly enriched them. y
properly exploited
AMERICAN SYMPATHY FOR HAYTI
Tho great opportunity passed; but It is duo 70 Mr..
Powell. the American Minister. TO say that within
did what he could illustrate practically the sin
cero sympathy OF Americans FOR the Hayilans.
Short OF Intervention hy the United states. his
the best calculated to soften the situa-
ton for the Eiaytiar Government. The pill WAS ~
course A very b!tter 10 swallow. and while tho
common people constant only in the insouciance
OF their nature. appear already to have forgotten
II. the grimace OF disgust which II caused returns
again ard again 10 the fec- OF every enlightened
Haytsn when he has 10 speak Of this brutal and
wanton humiliation Of his country
For a time avery person OF white blood was In
danger Of becoming scapegoat for tho Germans.
who were hated as n they were very devils. Tho
reality Of the peril in which Americans were PIN ed.
particularly German -Americanr. may be gagged by
tho fac; that for days there Vas some $4,000"
in money lodged in tho safes and armories In IN"
American Legation. and tho plhc, was packed with
refugees almost Ike cattle car In transit
Happily. second thought came quickly. and IN.
blind rag" OF the popuiac" lasted only 40 long a.
BON ba rdment was apprehelfsd. on IN" whoe. ~"
German demonstration heightened tho practical
respect I'm which foreigners were held BY aug
mentng IN :; tho element 81 fear At present there
are no outward signs whatever ~ aversion 10
foreigners Tho statements to tho contrary effect
recently published IN America are entirely false.
have known Of Instances Of sailors when
IN liquor beating Haytians with their fists without
provoca,ion. and yet no effort made by Tho
police 10 arrest the offenders This fact IL ~
peculiar Significance. since tho striking OF nauv"
by a foreigner has always been regarded M
much sraver offence than a Ike incident among
Haytans or among foreigners themselves. II may
be set down that newspaper statements
Unfortunately dcnunciatory OF tho Haytans are
unworthy OF tho least credcnce.
In diplomatic circles here IT Is perfectly well
known that tho Spanish representative IS mainly
dependent upon NJ. Theodore Meyer tho French
Minister 10 Hayti for his knowledge OF the attitude
OF the European governments toward the Hspano-
member Of the Diplomatic Corps who thus far has
appeared well Informed on this subject The
Spanish Charge dAnarcs has been in almost daily
consultation with him, II is said. in ference 10
enjoy la Hayten ports ana waters through tho
clause and articles Of tho treaty u 1874. when
pledge each Of the republics 20 reciprocal aid and
comfort IN case either Of them is at war with an
II Is suggested that this treaty, # closely con
st:uod ana faithfully observed hy Hayu, would put
her in the attitude Of an ally ~ tn" United States
Artlc'e Ky permits American mcn-of war TO TAX"
refuge in Haytian ports and to nni"rso repairs
naturally asked whether Spain would not regard
the Observance OF this article on the part Of llayu
act OF hostility and attempt what she might
consde- AZ legitimate counter measures IN conse-
ian seaports unless the United States could spare
enough ships from naval operation, elsewhere to
afford effective proi"ctior
HAYTI WANTS TO BE NEUTRAL.
Tho Hayiian Government has been greatly exe-
c,sed over this view OF possible contingency and
ia anxious to maintain M strict an appearance OF
neutrality as the necessity II fccr OF remaining
on friendly terms with America ~.ll permit. It H.
understood that the Spanish Charge dA1dircs has
made forclhlc concentrations Oh this subject To
NJ I}rutu~ ST Victor. the lIaytiar Minister Of For
cign A1rirs.
NJ Meyer was formerly Consul-G"ncral II France
at Genoa and he accepts chcerfully his exile 10
this trying climate only because he believes himself
In the line OF further rapd promotion. lie Ia
perfect cncy clop"dia Of INFORMATION IN naval mat
tors and he has remarkable memory. with nm
eager appreciation Of international conditions
The French Legation Is In the most tolerablc quar-
Ter Of the city above the Champ d" Mars which
| n faces opposite the Presidents palace VI Meyer
received me when ! called upon him. without any
formall,y whatever and with charming cordially.
lie epokc at first Of the traditional sympathy be
mi rannn hui adlnl aGnlncnnilY