Evening star., 1926-03-13
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL j. COLLINS.

and thus insuring interest TO the
American hank.
This advice was five times rejected
by Haiti.
In the midst Of revolution United
States Marines landed at Port an
Prince. the capital; took possession of
the Bank OF Haiti. removed its funds,
$500. 900, to the gunboat, and thence
to deposit in the National City Bank,
in New York. This account is veri'
fed by testimony of Roger l.. Fart,
ham. president of the National CITY
Bank, before the Senate investigat-
ing committee. 1t was justified as
necessary. in order to protect the
stockholders, the National City Bank
owning the controlling interest in
the National Bank OF Haiti.
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In the revolution of 1915 President
Sam OF Haiti was killed by a mob
and United States Marines took pos
session Of the capital to restore or
der BY direction of Secretary Bryan,
Admiral Caperton, in command, de-
manded that the Hanians elect a
President who would consent to the
United States control Of customs
and to American advice in foreign
affairs. This resulted in the election
of President Dartiguenave, who made
such a. treaty.
The Haitian Congress, or Assem-
hlv was dismissed. When the time
came for a. now election of a Presi-
dent by the Assembly, according to
the constitution. the President OF
Haiti. instead Of following the con-
stitutional channels, decreed that a
-ouncil of state. appointed by the
President, should act as ADVISER
subsequently the council OF state
instead of the Assembly. was gwen
bv decree, the power TO elect the
President.
new constitution was prepared
by Assistant Secretary OF ,he S MaoS
FrankIin y. Roosevelt and adopted
~, Haiti. bv decree of its Pre- sidcnt,
acting as dictator.
Tho council of state elected IIcSl-
dent Rorno in 1922. It is claimed that
he is ineligible to serve as PRESIDENT
since he was tho son OF alien frei.Ch'
although he was born in Haiti. Inc
decree establishing the counch Oh
state was for a term or !V years
which term has now expired. ouI
preeident Rorno, a. candidate Tor re-
election next April 70, has decreed Its
extension for another 10 years, ana IL
;s alleged he has filled several vacan.
cies on it with his own relatives ana
cabinet officials and expects II TO re-
elect him. In the meanwhile the peo-
nle have not been permitted to vote
for a. new Assembly. whose constltu-
tional function 1t is to elect the FreSl-
dent.
Tho treaty Of 1915 with the United
States has been extended by preeiuen'
tial decree until 1886, without coming
! before our Senate. This extends our
control over Haitian finances: Inc
National City Bank is negotiating an
additional loan of SIS 6,000.o0 TO AaAti
the bids for the loan having been al
vertised by our State Department. IN
1922 the Haitian foreign debt was
| $6,971,S74.
+ y X y
Haiti has a. population Of 100000
mostly small farmers. In l9.4 tnere
was an emigration Of 21,013 nom
Haiti to Cuba; iii 1895 there were up.
| ward of 80, 600 elnigrated to Cuba, and
| many more to the Dominican Repup-
| lie. Since American occupation, II Is
stated. $50, 900 natives have migrated
so that today there is a Scarcity ol
| labor.
It is alleged that President Borno
has decreed a policy Of confiscatlns
land holdings of the peasants, Wnere
| they are unable to show deeds, and, as
the ignorant peasants have occupied
the Land for generations without re
| cording titles. many are losing their
farms, the land being then bought by
! Americans for extensive plantations
on which rubber is to be exploited. In
addition to the financial interests OF
! the National City Bank of New York
there are large holdings of land by the
! Haitian American Sugar Co, the Hal
ltian-American Pineapple Co. and the
United West Indies Trading Coal
! financed by American investors, now
owning in excess Of 200,0 acres and
employing laborers at 80 cents q day
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