Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-08
Are Americans Fit 70 "ciyiiizs"
Others?


From the nrst doubts have existed
whether those who assume the
white mans burden" with respect to
so-called inferior races were really fit
for the job. These doubts originally
were largely confined to the inferior"
races, but certain conditions suggest
that they should be entertained by
those assuming the burden. Haiti is
a case which may serve to illustrate
this, especially If we compare respect
for human life in that country with
some Of the happenings in ours.
The increase in crimes Of violence
il one Of the most disquieting feat
ures Of these restless times. And the
most depressing circumstance at
tending this wave Of crime is the
large number Of unsolved murder
mysteries,'' remarks the Boston
Herald. referring to the report that
Of 70 murders in New York the first
nine months Of the year. which re-
main unsolved. In view of circum-
stances such as these one is i'm
pressed forcibly by the statements Of
Secretary johnson Of the National
Association for the Advancement Of
Colored People In q recent article en-
titled "Haiti-A Blot on American
ism" published in the Christian
Herald.
In this he declares: Prior to
American Intervention there was not
SO much banditry in Haiti in a period
Of ten years as takes place on the
public streets Of the City Of New
York in period of ten days" And
perhaps he has not exaggerated so
much as at first might appear. ANY,
how, what he has to say is worthy Of
attention and emphasizes the need Of
thorough and unprejudiced investi-
CATION of the Haitian conditions.
Probably most. If asked why our
forces are in Haiti, would think it in
some way connected with civilizing
purposes. After reading Mr.. John
sons article they may change their
minds. 4
He prefaces his article with the
statement that: For five years the
U. S. Government has been waging a
war in the little republic Of Haiti-a
war in violation of the principles we
profess and contrary to our Constitu-
tion-a war undertaken without any
authorization by Congress, or even
the knowledge of the American
people,"
He argues that the so-called state
of anarchy" in Haiti at the close of
July. 1915, was mot the cause of
American intervention; it was merely
the opportunity. an opportunity of
which this government lost no time
in taking advantage"
The writer asserts that our govern
ment, finding itself in a position to
do so, used brute force and not only
deprived Haiti of its independence
but rewrote its constitution. from
which it removed the former pro-
vision which prevented aliens from
owning land in Haiti. This provision
the Haitians had depended on to pro-
tect their country from economic ex-
ploitation. Since an American officer
at the point of the pistol dispersed
the Haitian assembly in 1917 there
has been no constitutional body in
that country, it has been ruled by
martial law and he declares condi-
tons parallel anything that has
happened in Belgium"
It doubtless will be, as it has been,
said that we were obliged to inter-
fere or allow foreign countries to do
50, because of maladministration and
debts: nevertheless that interference
should be scrupulous, open to the
light Of day, and in nowise be per-
mitted to destroy the Haitian's rights
or paralyze what little capacity they
| may have for self government. And
above all, having kept free Of It in
the great war. posing as we do as
benefactors Of countries we have &C.
cupied. we should keep clear of COM
mercialism and exploiting in this
Haitian matter. II, as is alleged, the
banditry. on account Of which
Haitians have been shot, was the
natural result of forcing them to
work on roads after the manner OF