The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-04-21
DESTITUTION ALL
OVER THE ISLAND
Streets Swarm With Soldiers
Who Beg Piteously for
Charity-Tine Has Come
to Act on Form of Govern
nent Which Has Brought
About Such Conditions.
by Associates Press.

Port au Prince, Hayti, April 90
More than three weeks have elapsed
since the savage shooting of political
prisoners, variously estimated at from
n to AZ. sent the warships of four
nations scurrying TO Port au Prince.
Their arrival put the seal of security
on the dives and property of foreign
srs and since then at least outward
tranquility has prevailed. While there
have been many arrests of natives
suspected of being in sympathy with
the late revolution and political pris-
oners continue to be brought in in
patches from interior points, there
have been no more public shOotings.
Indeed, the government denies that
any more executions have taken place
This. however. is incredible, in view
OF the fact that many persons are
known 20 have been dragged from
their beds at night, and that all trace
of them has been lost.
In the executions of March Is last
President Nord Alexis achieved the
double purpose of obliterating as many
of his foes as he could lay his hands
on and striking terror into the hearts
of those who were beyond his reach
Since then his name and that of his
aerocious lieutenant general Jules
Alexis Colcou, who personally directed
the shooting of the prisoners, includ-
ing some OF his own blood relatives,
are only mentioned in whispers
All Hayti trembles before them. 4
Alexis. has made the significant state1
ment that If he is not permitted to |
end his term of onice unmolested he |
will. rather than submit to deposit |
ton. write his name on the scroll of
fame in the blood of SUI a massacre
as Hayti has not seen since the days
Of Dessalines, once known as Jean
jacques i. No one doubts his ability
to carry out this threat which is I'M
derstood to be intended as a deter
rent not only to revolutionists, but to
an attempt at foreign interference in
the affairs of Hayti.
Destitution Everywhere.
With order restored. and their lives
and property under the protection Of
ships of war, the foremost Qquestion
In the minds of foreign residents is
whether the time has not come for
the adoption of final solution of the
Haytien question. All agree that
Hayti during her LOS years of indie
pendence, has not shown great ca
pacity for sef-government, and the af-
fairs Of the island have now reached
nbout the lowest ebb in its history.
Destitution prevails on every hand
ragged soldiers swarm the streets beg
ging Piteously, and even officers, be-
uizened in dingy gold lace. beg. cap in
hand, and are profuSe in thanks for a
dole of 5 cents. The soldiers beg be-
cause their pay when they get it
amounts to less than 80 cents a
month. and what else they are abe
10 secure Is small. A general receives
geo gourdes a month, equal to about
SGT, so that In order to live he must
add to his income as best he might.
Similarly all government officials
VINO are paid in the debased currency
. are expected to recoup themselves IN
some manner Only when they are
immoderate are they subject to re-
meval 1t is rumored that another
huge issue of paper and nickle money
IS impending, which will cut the pres
ent value of the Gourde in half max
ing the nominal dollar worth about
cents The Haytiens of the better
class know all this, but under peril of
their lives. cannot openly express
their views. A member OF enc Of the
best families in Hayti, holding posi-
tion of the highest honor. a man OF
broad education, who has travelled
widely and is OF unqueStioned integ-
rity. was recently asked whether he
could name one Haytien competent
TO give the republic a stable and hon.
est government.
Affairs Are Hopeless.
81 know no such man." he replied,
and then added, but what is the use
of discussing that? Assuming that we
mad one man of exalted patriotism and
undoubted capacity, he could never
aspire TO the presidency, Simply be-
eause he could not offer to his follow
ers the assurance of public plumber,
which here constitutes the prime at
traction of public office The affairs
of the republic are absolutely desper-
ate. We are like children unable to
care for ourselves, and our only Nope
lies in the Intervention Of some. strong
power. which, in spirit of humanity
win lay firm hand on US and guide
as along the path of safety until such
time as We may by force of education
develop a capacity for directing our
own affairs"
The same views are expressed by
Septimus Marius, a judge of the SUI
preme court. who recently secured the
protection of the French legation for
exilas IN the Island Of St Thomas.