The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1917-01-05
WHAT U. S. MARINES HAVE
DONE FOR HAITIANS
Regenerating the Citizens of the Black
Island Republic

A story printed in the Washington
I'd. CO. Post of Dec. d may give the
people of this country some idea OF
what the U. S. Marine soldiers are
doing to earn their pay down in the
Island of Haiti. What is being done
in Haiti is repeated in Santo Domingo,
the southern portion OF the same island,
By another detachment Of U. S.
Marines.
The reconstruction work OF the
United States Marines in Haiti provides
one Of the most thrilling and gratifying
chapters in contemporaneous American
history" and the Ri. Rev. Charles
Blayney Colmore, bishop OF Porlo Rico
and Haiti, who has been at the Willard
Hotel for several days on his way home
to Porto Rico from the convention OF
the Episcopal Church recently held in
St. Louis.
Americans can hardly visualize the
awful squalor, suffering and chaos that
existed in Haiti before its occupancy
by Admiral Caperton." continued the
bishop" nor realize the extent of the
regenerating labors Of the United States
Marines during the months they have
been on duty there.
THE Marines have literally taught
the Haitians how to live deoently. Be
fore their coming sanitation, save in the
crudest and most unsatisfactory forms,
was unknown, fevers and epidemics
we're as plentiful as revolutions, press
gang was in vogue and the country was
the victim OF continuous uprisings
engineered by political scoundrels. each
Of whom rsvaged the customs money
drawer az each 10 turn came into short"
lived power.
THE entry Of the United States
Marines ended this sorry story. With
the wonderful facility and adaptability
for which the Marines are noted, these
advance agents Of American civilization
so changed Haiti, that after they had
been there four months when I went
on my annual visitation to the island l
hardly knew it to be the same spot.
1t had been improved beyond my
widest hopes. Sanitary systems had
been installed, the towns had been
cleaned up, former idlers and re-
volutionists were working happily for
living wages and a new spirit was
animating the people. The United
States Marines quietly were at their
tasks as reconstructors OF nation and
efficient guardians OF the Monroe
doctrine and peace makers of the
Americas.
Il want the American people to
realize what big work is being done
there. Too little is known Of it and
the men who are doing it deserve the
praise and gratitude of the nation. 1t
isn't pleasant task to teach people
how to govern straight and the
Marine Officers and men realize this
and yet 60 at it with stout hearts and
high courage. They laugh at the hard
ships of life. 1t is their duty and their
motto is 'Semper Fidelis.'
THE teamwork of the Marines is
magnificent and they provide standard
that is military efficiency raised to the
nth power. Naturally, they are greatly
interested in the reorganization of the
Corps under recent legislation and
other improvements instituted by Major
General Barnett, who is the idol OF this
ever ready fighting force.
There are great possibilities in
Haiti. 1t is a county blessed with
many natural Advantages. It's people
are a simple. well-meaning folk-too
easily led for their own good-but
under such wise supervision as they
are enjoying now they are capable OF
contributing in large measure to the
well-being OF the West Indies and
10 the material prosperity Of the