New-York tribune., 1921-03-06
Hayti Desires
Revision of
Pact With u. S,
American-Made Constitution
Is Also Unsatisfactory.
Declare Representatives
Here to Urge Reforms
Have Hope in Harding
Look to New Administration
to Make Changes Which
Will Aid Country's Growth

Revision or amendment of the Ameri-
can-made national constitution of
Hayti, IS we'll as the Haytian- -Ameri-
can Treaty of 1915. in manner that
will benefit Hayti's peasant mass of
nearly two millions is the Haytian peo-
pies hope of the Harding Administra-
ton, delegates from the little republic
told The Tribune yesterday.
Nj. Stenio Vincent, former Cabinet
minister, and Nj. Percival Thoby, for
mer attache in Washington, are now
in New York, and will later go to the
capital to urge reforms, they an
nounced.
"Hayti has been under American
yet virtually nothing mas been done,''
said NJ. Vincent. "The Haytian con-
stitution, written by Franklin D. Roose-
velt, ex-Secretary of the United States
Navy, has not worked Cor the develop
ment of our country. The treaty of
1915, also framed in Washington, has
not given economic or agricultural de-
velopment as it pledged. Though laws
have existed for six years relative to
rural schools, no money has been avail
able for this purpose. The small
farmer of our country should have en-
couragement and be taught the funda-
lnentals of agriculture at least but he
has neither been encouraged nor
taught.
He finds with American treaty-con-
trolled finances to-day his coffee worth
but cents a pound and his cotton
almost unsalable In addition there Is
an export duty of 8 cents pound on
coffee and an equally diEcouraging ex-
port tax on cotton. There is no in
centive for the native to pick cotton.
coffee or anything else and no COM
merce for his products if he harvests
them.
"Instead Of contributing to Hayti's
betterment, this constitution and treaty,
written by the Wilson Administration,
have only served to stagnate our coun-
try, condition under veil of military
censorship, which America, outside the
Administration, has known nothing
about" said Mr.. Vincent.
eve are here to plead with the Har-
ding Administration for Haytian con-
stitutional convention, a revision of
the 1915 treaty and other reforms
which we think are essential for our
country's development. Since June 10,
1917, there has been no Haytian House
Of Representatives or Senate. The Will
son Administration civil officials who
collect and administer ourt finances
have also suppressed the Chamber of
Accounts. which would keep the Hay
tian people advised as to how its m oney
is collected or disburscd.
"The Haytian people wants its Con-
gress reassembled. its laws and agree
ments with the United States revised
in order that the country can go ahead.
eve are aware that the great peo-
ple of the United States cannot be
held responsible for the ferocious
coalition of few politicians and of
ce-tain financial interests, to whose
personal profit the conquest of Hayti
has been perpetrated," said the dele
gate "And we come in full confidence
to make an appeal to its high CON-
science and its traditional love for
right, justice and humanity"
Mr.. Vincent declared that he referred
to the National City Bank of New York
in his reference to- the financial in
te~ests." He said that he would con-
sde~ it mistake for the United States
suddenly to withdraw U. S. marines
from the republic without giving the
policing organizations.
He spoke of the esteem which all
Haytians now feel for Lieutenant
Colonel Fred NJ. Wise, U. S. M, who,
with the rank Of general commands
the Gendarmerie d'Hayti, the native
soldier organization generally officered
by marines. Wise's policy of tact and
cooperation, he said. was new de-
parture, as compared with the ap-
parent policies of both marine and
civi! auth critics in Hayti during the
last five wears