Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-23
Intervention Irks Some Haitians

The black republic of Haiti, where the policy Of
American Intervention has been in practice thirteen
years, is arousing the interest of Latin American
countries, especially those opposed TO American inter-
yention. A few Of the leading politicians Of Haiti ex-
press the opinion that that American Intervention
should cease, and some Of the more radical are de-
mandirg that IL cease. The latter class look with con-
siderable envy upon the prosperity Of the island repuo-
bic, and probably have designs Of making that prosper
ity their personal property as soon as the United
States will permit them. Hence their voeiferous de-
nunciations OF American imperialism" and their de-
mands that Haiti work out her own destiny unham-
psred.
However, the average Haitian is well satisfied with
his lot. Those old enough to remember events prior
20 1915, when the United States interviewed in Haitian
affairs after revolutions had torn the population into
murderous factions and destroyed commerce, are not
yearning for . return of the old days. They have a
sense Of security when they note the American ma
rines; they have tangible evidence of the islands
prosperity, the progress made in education. road con-
s~truetion and general development Of Haitis resources.
The United States interviewed in the affairs of the
negro republic in 1915 when President vilbrum Sam,
after having 1877 political opponents slaughtered in cold
blood, was himself seized and put 70 violent death by
Q mob Of their infuristed relatives who, to capture him,
violated the French legation in which he took refuge.
The United States found q chaotic condition. General
Sam was the seventh president Haiti had in the four
previous years. and the island was in a state of abso-
lutte anarchy. We found a negro nation which had
emerged from slavery but q hundred years before, q
neople shot through with disease. superstition and ig-
orance and easy prey TO the grating revolutionaries.
II was q rich land, . land whose production had fallen
to a fraction Of what il had been as a French colony
l15 years before.
Today peace and order reign In Haiti. and have
reigned ever since the United States INTERVIEWED. A
force Of Haitian g~endarmie of 1851 men, differed by
Haitians, Is maintained, as well as a small force Of
American marines. The finances of the island republic
have been stabilized, and the national debt has been
reduced from So, 100000 in 1918 to SIS, at the
beginning Of this year. All outstanding claims against
the government have been settled, and il is rather sig
nificant that before the United States got through with
the settlement the s4o.oOo.0 900 In claims filed by non
Haitians, had dwindled 10 sS,5oO,OO0.
Over $50 miles Of highway have been built. every
section Of the island republic is connected with high
ways, telegraph and telephones, and the resources Of
tie island have been developed to a point where Haitian
commerce is now 500 per cent greater than in the years
previous to Intervention. Education has supplanted
ignorance; peace and prosperity reign where famine
and suffering staiked; and anarchy and chaos have
given way to well ordered government and liberty.
The American people have no apologies to offer for
what has been done in Haiti. In fact, they are proud
Of the record made during the thirteen years of inter-
vention, and would not object very strenuously IL the
administration should decide to establish a similar
record In Nicaragua. and other republics which are vir-
tually hotbeds Of revolution and anarchy.