Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-13
ENCOURAGING REPORTS FROM
HAITI

ENCOURAGING REPORTS FROM
HAITI
The reports now coming out OF
Haiti are distinctly encouraging and
compared with those which not long
ago were telling Of cruelties and ex-
tortions by American authorities and
forces are especially gratifying.
1t is said the Haitians have sue
ceeded in securing three million
dollar loan in the United States.
which may account in part for a re-
vival of interest in that country. over
which the United Sttaes assumed a
virtual protectorate little more than
seven years ago. It was either for
us to do this or for foreign countries
to which Haiti owed money to do, if
they would protect their loans. The
l1aitians themselves appeared to be
either incompetent or unwilling to
pay. Such rulers as she had were
either unable to manage affairs or too
corrupt to manage in the interests
of the people.
Our marines found plenty of work
in taking charge of the construction
CT roads and other Improvements
needed. In 1916 we established a
constabulary consisting of nearly
:Se0 officers and men. The popula-
ton Is around two and half mil
lions. ninety percent of whom are
negroes, descendants of the ngreos
imported into the island after the
Spanish had killed off the natives.
They styled their government a re-
public but it consisted in affording
chance for few to prey on the many
and borrow all the money they could
get and leave the matter of payment
10 others.
Naturally there would be protest
against efforts of our marines to set
the lazy at work. collecting the
revenues In an honest manner. pay
ing bills when due. building roads so
that the people might have COM
munication and the bandits less OPP
portunity for getting away with their
plumber. Some of our representa-
tives evidently did not pay sufficient
Difference to authority of the coun-
try. were not gentle and considcrate
in handling the negro inhabitants.
Some of them came from a part of
this country where Dir treatment of
the colored people is materially af-
fected by prejudice. Effort for bet
terment was made after an outcry
was raised. and this appears to be in
the way of accomplishment.
The treaty OF 1915 provided for
. American engineers to supervise
sanitation in the country and our
d. policy is said to be training a
Haitian personnel. The engineers
now have as assistants Is Haitians
and the activities of the department
.rof public works has been given
wide scope. Both peace and progress
are said to have characterized rela-
tions last year. Where formerly
nearly all those thrown into prison
died the Haitian prison is now one
OF the healthiest places on the island
An intensive campaign has been made
against smallpox and other cpl
denies. The Haitians are taking adj
vantage Of their opportunities to OBJ
tain medical and surgical treatment.
Their tendencies to Iawlessness have
been noticeably checked by awaking
their interest in sports. Banditry is
but little in evidence. The gen.
darmes have been taught to shoot
straight and also to attend gram
mar school: fremen have been
trained to fight fire and equipped
with apparatus with which to do it
successfully. Irrigation prot t S,
bridges over the mountain torrents,
dams to prevent foods. lighthouses on
the coast to aid tho little water COM
msrce there is and to encourage more,
these are some Of the things which
have been put in the way OF attain
ment. Last year showed a gain of %
. per cent in shipping tonnage over
the previous year.
II in the meantime the Haitians
learn to stand alone. learn that hon
esty an0hg nations IL the best pol
icy; that work is a good thing and
necessary IL one would gain the adj
'Vantages he seeks. learns to look
after their loans and yet keep the
lenders hands from the helm our
Intervention will not have been in
vain.