The Washington times., 1920-09-19
HAITI VERGES
ONREVOLUT|0N
"Autocratic Methods" Of Pres
ent Administration Arouses
Resentment on Island.

So bitter Is the feeling against what
is termed the "autocrstic methods
employed by the present American
administ ration in Haiti. that armed
revolt 10 imminent on that island, ac-
cording TO information laid before the
State Department. A delegation rep
resenting many American business
interests visited Sumner Wells. chief
OF the division for Latin-American
affairs. on Thursday and made formal
protest.
Haiti and San Domingo are both
protectorates of the United states
with Rear Admiral Thomas A.
Snowden. United States Navy, as mil
itary governor. The complaints, how
ever, are directed principally against
the activities OF Colonel Mcllhenny'
once a member OF Colonel Rooseveits
Rough Riders, later civil service com
missioner under Roosevelt and now
nnancial adviser for the American
Government in Haiti.
All customs collections are made
under supervision OF Colonel Nc
Ilhenny. He uses a branch of the Ma
tional City Bank in Haiti as sole de-
pository.
As a result, according to charges
made before the State Department.
ated in the interest of the National
City Bank. 1t lends the money col
lected in Haiti to such interests as
meet with its approval. and refuses it
to all others, with the result that
many concerns are being crowded out
Of business with consequent depriva-
tion to a large proportion of the
Inhabitants.
For the purpose of stemming growing
n IIA
Knapp has been hurried to Haiti. He
will assume complete supervision over
the affairs of that government.
The State Department is much
concerned over the charge made by
Senator Harding in his Constitution
Day address that the Wilson Admin
istration is waging IAN unconstitu-
tional little war" against both San
Domingo and Haiti and by his quo
tation from Franklin ID. Roosevelt
that our occupation of Haiti assures
us another vote in the League of Ma
tions.
Such attacks, said Secretary Colby.
are made only for political purposes.
and are intended to win few
votes" The United States Govern
ment. he declared. Is "doing work for
civilization in Haiti" Occupation
will end, 1t was pointed out, just as
soon as the people are educated 10
self-government.
The United States has been in con-
troll of Haiti for five years. Marines
were sent to the island and new
government established, following an
attack upon the French consulate at
Port au Prince. France landed ma
rines, but withdrew them when the
United States promised to be re-
sponsible for the future conduct Of
affairs.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels to-
day promised to make public soon a
full report on the operations of the
marines in Haiti. This announcement
was made as the result Of the state
ment by Senator Harding that ,tfqu-
sands Of native Hattians haye been
killed by American marines"
Expressing surprise that a Senator
OF the United States should give cur
rency to so unjust reflection upon
the brave and patriotic members of
the marine corps on duty in Haiti" "
Mr.. Daniels said that they had rem
dered a real service there in the in
terest of peaceable Haitians. built
roads, preserved order and introduced
sanitation.