The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-05
Black Republic Showing
Advancement Since In
der Wing Of U. s.
INTERNAL STRIFE ENDED
Share Of Trade That Formerly
Went to Europe Is Expected
to Come Here.
ny VI. CHARLES MoRAyIs.

Minister from Hdyn TO the United Stdtss.
Specially ,critteut for the Latin American
Section Of THE SUN.
The Republic OF Hayti occupies the
western part OF the island OF the same
name the eastern part being the terri
tory Of the Dominican Republic. Its area
"a 10000 square miles and the popula-
ton is more than two millions.
The country was French colony lin
Is 1904, when the slaves rebeiled against
the yoke and after a glorious night won
their independence and abolished slavery
in a time when II was flourishing the
world over. Hayti was the second
country In this hemisphere to become
independent. the United States of Amer
lea being the first. Aside from thIs fact,
simon Bolivar obtained from Alexandra
Potion. President Of Hayti. tho support
N men and money which allowed him TO
be the liberstor of Venezuela. For that
reason n statue OF the Haytian Presi-
dent was erected in Caracas some years
ago.
After overthrowing the French domi-
nation the Haytians kept the French
language and the French customs to
such an extent that the great French
historian Michelet called Hayti the
Black France. Public instruction has
been neglected and the greater part of
the population is illiterate. Neverthe-
less there is a class of highly educated
people who can compare with men of the
same class in any other country OF the
world. for II the primary schools are few
there are many high schools where the
French programmes are applied.
The Hsytian University has pro-
duced lawyers and physicians, whose
science are ability are recognized with
praise in France: historians, writer's
and poets whose works are appreciated
IN Paris and wherever French is spoken.
These achievements. however, do not
make up for the low level of the Hay
tan mass, which Is still in the darkness
o. ignorance, and the present Govern
rnent is bent upon the problem OF edu-
cation. making serious efforts to create
more and more schools
The development OF Hayti has been
paralyzed by succession of ruinous
revolutions Of political character, due to
tho ambitions of individuals or groups
10 acquire financial benefits accruing to
or controlled by the Office of the Presi-
dent rather than to any uprising of the
people as a whole. For in spite of all
contrary appearances the people are very
peacoabie and have always been rather
passive in the hands of the professional
politicians.
AS the general conditions were grow
Ing worse and worse, the Government
Of the United States interviewed and in
September. 1918. treaty was signed
between the two countries establishing
a United states financial and police pro-
seotorate for a period. Of cen years. with
provision for a renewal for an additional,
tnr hnin 0,far a nj M
OF Internal peace and sound admlnistra-
ton OF the public funds. marks the open
ing Of a new era for Hayti
Many Haytians in War.
ftayti declared war upon Germany in
July. 1918. after a severance of diplo-
matte relations in May. 1917. but before
this move from their Government hun
dreds OF Haytians went voluntarily to
France and fought for her. Many gave
their lives, many were decorated for
their bravery, and such was their valor
on the battlefields that the Haytlan
rag before Hayti entered the war as a
nation. had a place in a memorial Of the
heroic defence Of Verdun.
Besides the numerous revolutions
which created sense of instability,
there was another barrier TO the material
Development of the country. article of
the constitution preventing a foreigner
from owning Haytian land. This OBJ
s'acle was removed last year when a n W
constitution was voted wherein that
srtcle has been amended in such a way
that the foreigner may acquire Haytian
and provided he lives or has an estab-
!lshment in Hayti.
The climate of the country is essen
TALLY tropical epidemics are rare. The
health OF the United States Marines,
some Of whom have been. in Hayti for
more than three years, is reported rs
unusually good. As to the soil, 1t is one
Of the most fertile In the world.
The principal products exported are
coffee, cotton, cocoa, fogwood, lignum
vita, fustic, mahogany. castor beans,
corn, cottonseed oil. honey, beeswax.
goatskins, hides, sisal. sponges, turtle
shell and fertilizers.
Tho principal articles imported are
building materials. bricks and tiles,
cement lumber, light carriages, chemi-
calls and drugs, dry goods, furniture,
hardware, jewelry. machinery. notions.
oils, paints, provisions, preserved food,
salt FISH, pork, rice, -four, soap and wear
ing apparel.
Mineral Resources OF Island.
Various claims have been made as
20 the mineral resources of Haytl. Lig-
ntc has been found in three different
points of the republic, in the north and
IN the south. There are copper mines
near Gonaives, and oil also has been
found
Before the war most OF the exports
Went 20 France. England, Germany. Hol-
land and Italy. as most of the imports
came from those countries also, be-