The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-14
U. s. INFLUENCE IN
HAYTI is DECLINING
Commission May BE Formed to
Take Over Government
and Pay It's Debts.
S35. 10000 NOW OWING
France. Germany and England
Largest Debtors. With
I. s. Only Fourth.

WASHINGTON. May 13.--Thc Admins
tration is deeply concerned over recent
developments in the insular Republic OF
Hayti 1t is feared that "a new embar-
rassment to the United States is arising
by reason OF the vast burden Of debt UNI
der which Hayti is staggering.
The chief creditors Of Hayti are France.
Germany and England. in the order
named. Already action has been taken
by all three OF these nations. which. were
IT not for the concentration OF interest
and excitement over the Mexican crisis.
would be considered a matter of grave
concern in itself
The determination of the European ma
lions to bring to AN end the intolerable
condition OF Haytfs finances has eventu-
ated In a definite disposition To enforce
collection or at least adjustment of tho
claims through drastic action. II has
even been suggested by the Germans and
French that commission form NJ gov
eminent be established for the purpose OF
handling Haytfs income from customs
and the apportlonment of the tithcs TO
the settlement of interest on the Haytian
bonds.
The Haytian debt is said to amount to
approximately $35.oOO. 900 OF this sum.
creditors. Germany is the next largest
creditor. with England the third ard
America fourth In the suggestion for
settlement through commission regulation.
tho French and Germans II IL understood.
expressed the view that the commission
should be made up on the basis of earh
nation in Haytis debt. This would Gre
ate n commission dominated by the
French and German interests. with the
United States holding only a very small
voice in its deliberations.
Also. IL is related that the French and
Germans. by the installation OF a large
coal supply on board ships at the Mole ST.
Nicholas. are creating what is virtually a
coaling station In the Antilles. This Is
also highly objectionable to the United
States. Up to the present time II has
been the practice Of European nations to
consult the United States before emlsrk-
ing in any effort to collect Indebtedness
from Central American republics, but
since the present embodiment in Mexico
there seems to have been q falling away
from the consideration usually extended
TO the United States.
The French seized two Haytian gun
boats. their crews having deserted them.
and only restored them to Hayti when
the Minister of Finance made mad
dash seward aboard "A power launch
and paid the cash over to the commander
of the French warship on her deck.
Germany recently effected collection
OF q debt by sending a warship into
Haytian waters and giving the Haytian
authorities until 6 +. NJ. of the day of her
arrival TO make payment Of the claim or
the German authorities would know the
reason why.
This claim was paid. Then in turn
came Great Britain. demanding the set
Element Of a claim of $4,000 for the loss
OF sawmll which had been destroyed
In one of the Haytian revolutions. The
Brtist, made a demand on similar lines to
that employed by the Germans. Hayti
appealed to the United States, but this
claim also was settled
Here the. case rests for the present.
hut among certain OF the Administration
leaders there is n belief that the United
States will be Obliged TO intervene in
IIayti assume charge of The fiscal affairs
of the republic and establish some la sis
for collection or the -cpubirs income
and its disbursement among IIaytis
creditors.