West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-09-15

How little we know OF Haiti, but
three days run from New York by
fast steamer, yet n land unknown to
most of us We read her story in her
several exhibits at the worlds fair.
but 1t is more interesting II you can
have VI. Romano tell IL to you with
his brilliant dlgresslons and enthusl-
astic emphasis. Ask Il few questions
In the Haitian exhibits IN the Palace
OF Forestry, and you will spend an
hour listening TO his fascinating narra-
tive. Haiti is but one-third OF the
great island as to territory, but three
fourths Of it as to population Half
as large as Missouri Haiti IL the Pearl
of the Antilles. The name is Indian or
Caribbean, and its meaning Is rough
land" or mountains" But Haiti has
valleys and table lands, mountain
slopes and river deltas that yield 80
bountifully that many times her pres
ent population might thrive n her
lands were all cultivated.
What Haiti seeks is American capl-
tai TO develop her copper. iron. uistl
mum and other deposits Of useful min
and other cabinet woods stin await
the coming OF enterprising people TO
claim them and market their riches.
I'VE came late 10 the fair" said NJ
Romalne, the Haitian commissioner.
"and were denied the space we sought
80 that what you see is very little Of
what we might display.
There's q bit OF cloth that took
q first prize at the Columbian exposl.
ton. 1t IS hand woven and most skill
fully done. While we sell 10 France
almost our entire coffee crop. we buy
our supplies from America. We use
your -four, soap, hardware, cloth
all the staples, in fact We want TO
see a closer commercial relationship
with the people Of the United states
At tbs moment 1 can point 10 s.. OOO.-
600 worth or copper ore above ground
but twenty-five miles from the sea
coast You can blast it down. smelt
u and market the product az profit
Of 100 per cent Beneath this out
cropping nrc ores sufficient for years
OF mining What more can capital
hope for?
The people OF Haiti are poor and la
Ror r. cheap Nature has been most
bounuful. and % takes very little EFFORT
20 gain a livelihood. but it is @ young
nation, now celebrating her first cen.
teunial
"Our president ls Nord Alexis. eighty
four years old, vlrlle as q sapllng. for
be has spent bis life in the saddle and
u one Of the finest specimens Of hu.
mainly lie Is a great farmer az well
e. statesman This coffee here is from
bis plantation. There i5 his name on
the label
did you see this case Of laces. EN-.
broidery and other hcedlowOrkg This
was all done ly the orphan girls who
are the wards OF the Sisters of $50. J0-
seph The Rev Mother Gut0euie is
the head OF the order living at Port ou
Prince and having branches through
out the island
$50 you see tie government OF Haiti
has 0t heart the welfare OF its people.
even though mistakes have been made
that have been costly Tire people ~
Haiti are very good people indeed u
you are % traveller and stop 80 the way.
side home 90 ask for "a drink you VIII
hove the c.eancst glass tho wh.tost
napkin aud the most polite treatment
IhWe are no rDbbor.es The mau car.
riers. though having thousands o. dol
lars in their care are never mOlcsled,
even 300 TIE most wild and remote parts
~ The country
"Ihis years crop Of coffee S. $4,000.
600 pounds as compared with G5oO0-
90 pounds ordinarily. The French
government says 81 Sc The best coffee
in tbe world for its soldiers. The pos.
sibiliues in Haiti for fruit growing
ore equal 90 those u Cuba Pine.
apples. oranges and bananas may be