Evening star., 1924-07-04
IN TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS

every E2110n mas a right 10 protect
its own safety. and If it feels that
the possession by a foreign power for
military or naval purposes of any
harbor or place is prejudicial it is its
duty, as well as Its right, to inter-
Under that principle it was the duty
of the United States to guard against
any excuse of Europe to gain a foot
hold in the large Island Of San Do
mingo. on which lie the two repub-
lies. Haiti and the Dominican Re-
public.
Upon taking possession Of the dis
tracted island in 1915, for the preser-
vation Of peace and the reorganizirg 4
of general conditions. the United
States marines protected the Haitians
against the tyranny of the mobs while
the voters were electing a new presi-
dent ard revising their constitution.
The election was safeguarded for the
Haitians--not Influenced otherwise by
Americans
A treaty was then entered into be-
Ween the United States and the new
president, Nor sieur Dartiguenaye-
'ormer president of the Haitian Sem
ote-by which a general receiver of
finances was nominated by the Presi-
1eht or the United States and appoint
duties were to collect the revenues
ar to so handle the disbursements
as 10 balance the budget reduce the
oeDts ana support efficient develop
ment OF agriculture, mining and COM
merce
Under this management the debts
nave been reduced, the revenues have
peen sareguarded and have gone to
support the government Of Haiti
piaoate It's creditors and undertake
succeeded mob rule, banditry has
oeen suppressed, agriculture, indus
try and commerce have been slim
uiated and hygiene introduced where
had been unknown. Within the
last few months a loan Of $4,000. 900
has been negotiated with which to
pay specially troublesome European
debts Domestic claims are being
adjusted.
ID. Bellegrade in his Monday speech
at Lyon denied that exports have
been stimulated, yet official statistics
show that the exports in the first
year after American occupation were
$7,220.2s0. the next year $e,27s,321,
in 1888, $21,4so.2so; in 1880,
$1s,s90.032; in 192O-21, $4,953,57o; in
1919. $s,696.612: in 1928, S12,-
12s,429. (Reported by the American
Chamber of Commerce OF Haiti.)
Duties on imports collected annual
ly have averaged $2,175,399. Haitian
busln ness-exports and imports--like
that of other countries, is affected by
world market conditions, and no one
need be reminded that the world has
had both fat and lean years since
the world war Prior to American
Intervention exports had been par
alyzed by non-p production, due to the
anarchistic conditions in Haiti.
Haiti has an area Of 10,2o4 square
miles and a population Of 100000,
mostly negroes. The dominant Ian
guage is French. 1t has great natural
resources, not well developed. Until
the new constitution was adopted. in
1916, no foreign born person could
hold property in that country. The
predominating colored people ex-
cluded whites as rigidly as We are
about to exclude the orientals. The
new constitution modifes that ex-
clusion somewhat and permits for
eigners TO own property needed for
the carrying on of commercial or
manufacturing enterprises or for
farming. Not much exploitation mas
followed that invitation yet, and as
viewed by the Department of State
of the United States there is not like
ly to be much development or invest
ment in case American protection is
Withdrawn. Secretary Hughes is
positive that the Americans have not
yet finished the work they have
undertaken there and that the time
for withdrawal has not yet come, but
there is no purpose to take over the
country as an American posse ssh on
any more than we took possession of
Cuba. All that America wants in
Haiti and the Dominican Republic is
peace and prosperity under native
rule, and freedom Tolerance of an
archy and defalcation Of debt is over.
Copyright, 1924. by Paul V Collinsl