The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-16

orders department commanded to on
GERS were partly responsible for illegal
executions and contiai:rcs CT ccrvee."
The report continues; During the
months OF November and December,
1915. and January 1919. several bandit
7risonsrs thames unknown) were
illegally executed at Eincho by gem
darmies acting under orders of sendarinie
officers and thore Is strong evidence that
,iarn.sr Jean. the notary OF Missnide
was killed by the ycndar1nie officers on
outy at that place. During the inyes-
tigation In March, 1919. by the then
brigade commander OF the conditions
existing at Hinchs and M,ssalde tho
Illegal executions OF prisoners mentioned
In tho preceding paragraph became
hnown TO him. He transferred the ofii-
GERS Of the gendarmerie against whom
charges were made. but took no further
disciplinary action In the matter"
The report recommended that court
martial proceedings be brought against
all persons implicated. These fragmen-
tary sidelights on conditions In Hayti tell
In graphic manner the drama that has
been enacted within short distance OF
American shores, but with such secrecy
that only recently has the story conf
menced to see the light.
bapditry, naturally resented the innposi-
ton of a foreign disciplinary power and
the various reports show that q vendetta
was waged in which both sidos prob
ably took the law in their own hands.
The conditions In northern Hayti where
the ''indiscrimnate killings" are said to
have taken place. killings admitted by
Generals Butler and Lejeune. show the
bitterness with which the struggle was
carried on.
The amazing feature OF the situation
is that these conditions could have pre-
vailed so long without coming to the at
tention of the Secretary of the Navy,
who had become the despotic ruler of the
island by action OF the State Depart
ment.
Tho gendarmerie. II is understood, Is
made up OF natives, under American Of
ficers and filled in with marines. Extra
pay was given TO the marines for this
service. a fact that possibly explains
why the commanding officer in the
Hinche- Missaide section was loath TO
acknowledge conditions out of hand for
fear that marines would be sent TO take
charge.
Daniels Has Early Report.
AS a singular comment on the state
ment made by Secretary Daniels that
the story of the lndlscriminate killings
first came to his attention in the report
of Gen. Barnett. the former command
ant of tho Marine Corps submits in full
his personal letter to Gen. Long. then
a Colonel While the letter was marked
personal, II was placed in the official
files. as 1t was strictly an official letter.
In this letter Gen. Barnett said:
"Since you left here several things
have come to my notice with reference
to affairs IN Hayti especially in rela-
ton TO the duties Of gendarmes in the
interior. The court-martial of one pri-
waite for theN killing of native pris-
oner brought out statement by mis-
counsel which showed me that prac-
ticaIly indscriminate killing of natives
has gone on FOR some time. had Gen.
Long write you about this matter few
days ago and wish to write personal
note to you. to say that hope you will
go into the matter personally with Col.
Wise and not only attempt to correct
II but absolutely correct It..