The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-14
u. S. MUST STAND
FIRM IN HAITI, IS
BELIEF OF KNAPP
Admiral Presents Final Report
on Results OF His Investiga-
tons for the Navy and
State Departments

Washington, February 1S-The United
States, having nut its hand to the
plow' in Haiti must not turn back
through withdrawal of the American
forces there, Rear Admiral H. 5. Knapp
declared today in report which he pre-
scented in final form the results of his
Investigations in the island republic for
the navy and state departments.
Agitation against American occupation
of Haiti, Admiral knapp asserted. is in
spired by desire on the part of small
group who, he said, represented at the
most less than per cent of the popu-
iation. This group Of agitators he added,
are working TO gain a hearing and the
sympathy Of the people OF the Chited
States, although the:f real object is TO
Obtain abrcgation OF the treaty between
the United states and Halt and to bring
about return al the old conditions OF
government
could this be attained Admiral
Knapp in his report continued. Il think
$50 out Of every 1900 Haitians would be
glad to see the American force remain
to enforce good order In other words.
the Haitians. even the worst agitators
among them, would be willing TO have
the United States act the part. Of police
men and otherwise leave them to theiI
own devices.
CRAFT is CONCEDED
The IS per cent would be exploited for
the dishonest benefit OF the per cent
IL the conditions were attained. The u
per cent would employ less real freedom
than they do now. Should the United
States now withdraw, leaving the politi-
cal agitators TO their own devices, j
would, in my opinion, be surrender1nt
the true interests and true freedom o.
IS per cent of the population and en-
couraging the unworthy minority to s'
on with its dishonest arbitrary and ty
rannical measures. While it is probably
| impossible to state that graft does no
now exist, it Is concealed graft uIl
/ known TO the United States treaty orr
Gals.
The people of the United States" thu
admirals report said, should not anew
themselves to be deceived by the wora
| republic OF Haiti into believing ina
| there exists in Haiti. or ever has, re
| public in any true sense, founded Upol
the expressed will OF an intelligent san'
| educated electorate. The so-called re-
public of Haiti, left to itself has beer
4 a tyrannical oligarchy in which those II
1 power Toasted upon the vast mass 0
4 population, while those of the governml
class out OF power sought every oppor
tunity to get into power by fair mean
! or BY foul the same corrupt persona
eads in view. any Idea Of Haiti con
| ceiyed on The basis Of the surroundins
| Of the average citizen OF the Chits
| States--who is more on less educated
| and who lives under a regime Of ia'
which makes impossible his being ex
plotted by governing class and insure
security of his life and property-s Ut
| terly false under the actual conditions
as Is Judgment Of happenings IN HAN
7 founded upon such an idea. Tranauiht-
| and security now exist in Haiti prac
tically throughout the country. Fron
| all that can gather, persons can moy
above the republic on their lawful occa
sons without fear OF moiestation. I'm
is the direct result of armed American
| intervention.
"The gendarmire is a firm institution
Under its present direction It Is comm
ling it's activities within their legitimat
scope. that of the policy agency OF hialtl
1t is increasing in efficiency