Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-02
TANNING HAITI.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

vent it.
These two arrangements, and the app
pointment of a receiver and financial
adviser for the republic, are the prin-
cipal features of a treaty which has
been drawn between the United States
and Haiti, and which only awaits rati-
fication by our Congress and that OF
Haiti The Haitian congress is ex-
pected to pass a modus vivendi which
will make the treaty effective before
it is ratified.
The present arrangements for keep
ing Haiti quiet are temporary emer-
gency measures. When the provisions
of the treaty are put permanently into
ganized, probably differed by Ameri-
cans. The essentials of this constabu-
larry are that it be efficient. and beyond
the allurements and temptations OF the
almighty dollar.
For the time being the collection of
customs Is in the hands OF the naval
authorities. but a civil representative
of the United States eventually will be
appointed for this work.
This use of compulsion to straighten
out the affairs Of a smaller country In
this h m T.
Reflects New Attitude sphere re-
by This Government. a a on
the part of the United States govern
ment. For many decades Uncle Sam
has been sending his gunboats to Haiti
and Santo Domingo whenever these lit
tie countries became too turbulent.
Things have repeatedly been Quoted
down, but as soon as Uncle Sam with
drew the small republics, like bad boys
when the teachers back is turned,
went at it again. Uncle Sam has had
enough of that particular kind of trou-
BILE, and he is going to take steps which
will absolutely insure good behavior,
while depriving the Haitians of as lit
tie liberty and autonomy as possible.
Haiti's last spasm was highly typ
ical. The execution Of seventy political
prisoners by President Guillame Sam,
the assassination and mutilation of the
president, the ineffectual resistance to
Uncle Sans marines, and the Nctfon,
which resulted in Bobo. the de >ated
candidate. taking to the woods and
organizing an army, were all just iike
revolutions. When Bobo found that he
couldn't lick the marines he left his
fatherland a heartbroken man. as he
sadly proclaimed to many. He onered
to become a citizen Of santo Domingo.
but that nation. having already enough
of his ilk within her borders. refused
to let him land.
Bobo is a fine type Of the kind of
Haitian politician that has kept the
republic in
Bobo Type Of Haitian tumult for
Revolutionary Leader. These revo-
lutionary leaders are usually the gov
ernors of provinces. When they want
money they demand it Of the govern
ment, with the threat of revolution.
II the tribute is paid there is peace.
II it is not the land pirate gathers his
followers and attempts to capture the
government, SO as to gain control Of
the customhouse. Money Is the mo-
tive every time.
Bobo had succeeded in raising and
arming a force Of about $500 "Cacos,"
or countrymen, and these are still I'M
der arms, but without a leader. They
will probably disband as soon as they
are given assurances of their own
safety.
Haiti might well be described as an
experiment in government which has
failed. Here the African negro. intro
duced as a slave. was given his freedom
and the machinery of a republican
government. He turned this freedom
into anarchy. Now he is to be taken
in hand by his big neighbor and given
another chance.
Spain was the first power to dominate
Haiti after its discovery. The Span
iards introduce
Spain First Power ed the African
to Dominate Haiti. ,hs Mac, :" 'An os
the less hardy native. There followed
period Of war and piracy in which
all three of the colonizing nations were
engaged. The Spanish drove the Eng
lish and French out of st. Kits, near
Haiti. The refugees landed at Tor
tuga and became buccaneers. The
French buccaneers became SO strong
that they established a base in Haiti
and finally won it for the French gov
eminent.
The French controlled Haiti for
hundred years and French became the
Haiti her independence. Then began
the era of bloodshed and revolution
which has now been ended by Uncle
Sam.
At the time the French gave Haiti
its freedom there were whites and
blacks and mulattoes on the island.
The result was many racial clashes
and massacres. The blacks were in
the majority. with the result that all
the whites and mulattOes were either
killed or driven away.
Throughout its century Of liberty
Haiti has had little to do with the rest
Of the world. The blacks have cher
ished their freedom and have striven
to keep their country isolated from
white men. But the location of the
island has made this almost impossible
IL stands at the crossroads Of the COM
merce of the world. Lying between
Cuba and Porto Rico. it Is on tho route
from New York to the Panama canal
and from Europe to southern ports. It's
magnificent harbors invite every va
grant ship.
For these reasons the squabbles of
the Haitians have been like the fights
of ruftians in a public street-a menace
and a nuisance to everybody. All the
peaceful peoples of the world pass that
way and any of them might become in
volyed. Some one had to act as police
man The United States refused to al
low any one else to do II, hence the
duty devolved upon her.
:.
The Republic of Haiti occupies about
ope-third of the Island of Haiti. It
is one Of the
Occupies One Third richest islands
w.. in the Carib-