Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-07
CRUISER FOR HAITI /.
ASKED AFTER FIGHT.
Hoover Asks Congress to
Authorize Commission to
Frame New Policy.
Continued From First Page3

Continued From First Page0
after half an hour again advanced. The
patrol fired again over the mob, but
when the mob closed in with a rush
and at least one leader was in the
midst of the patrol the patrol fired into
the mob, killing and wounding 20.
"All reports are to the effect that
the patrol exercised great forbearance
as 1t was being constantly stoned and
the mob was in an ugly mood Effec-
tive fire was not employed until neces-
sary in self defense"
Presidents Message.
The Presidents message to Congress
follows:
I'm my message to Congress of the
Sd instant I indicated my concern
as to the future of our policies in Haiti
stated that we have there about TOO
Marines, and that we are confronted
with dificult problem, the solution of
which is still obscure. further stated
that II Congress approves shall dis
patch a commission to Haiti to review
and study the matter in an endeavor to
arrive at some more definite policy than
at present.
"Our representatives in Haiti have
shown great ability and devotion and
have accomplished signal results in i'm
provement Of the material condition of
that people. Yet our experience has re-
vealed more clearly than was seen at
first the difficulties of the problem, and
the entire situation should be reviewed
in the light of this experience. Since
the dispatch Of my message disturb
anceS in Haiti emphasize the impor-
lance OF such an investigation and de-
termination of national policies in the
immediate future.
THE students at the agricultural
school at Damien went en- a strike on
october 81 as a protest against a new
policy of the Haitian government. The
Haitian government had heretofore al
lotted $4,000 per annum to this school
for scholarships, but this year it with
held $4,000 Of the appropriation in
order to make 1t possible for needy stu
dents to perform practical school work
on the grounds. Sympathetic strikes
were subsequently declared in the medi-
cal and law schools. President Borno
appointed a committee of HaitianS to
| inquire into the matter and it seemed
probable at the time that recommen-
dations presented by this committee
and accepted by the authorities would
adjust the difficulties. Unfortunately,
advantage was taken Of the situation
by various agencies to foment dis
turbances against the Haitian admins
tration and on December the Amer
lean high commissioner reported that
the strike movement had spread
throughout the country and that it was
feared that the Haitian employees of the
departments and American treaty Of
flcials might become involved.
Custom House Riot.
ION December custom house en-
ployes at Port au Prince abandoned
their work in a diSorderly manner and
crowds have gathered in Port au Prince.
At the same time there were reported
demonstrations by crowds at Cape Hal
tian in sympathy with the disturbance
in Port au Prince. The American high
commissioner reported that on the
/ morning of December 1t was feared
that disorderly conditions will arise at
Aux Cages and similar disturbances
were possible at other places.
1.-The high commissioner has asked
that additional Marines be in readiness
to make sure that If the situation be-
comes serious American lives will be
protected, and the force he has sug-
gested has been ordered dispatched Tor
that purpose. feel that it is most de-
sirable that the commission mentioned
In my message Of December 3 be con-
stituted and sent to Haiti without de-
lay ana L, luclSlOtc' ACquCSC CtAO Oon
gresS to authorize the immediate send
| ing of such a commission and to APP
propriate for this purpose $4,000. 1t
| Is my intention to include one or two
members from each House Of Congress
on this commission"
other ranking officials were guarded
in their comment on the latest turn in
disturbance which has been described
as serious by those familiar with the
intricacies of Haitian politics.
Naval and Marine Corps headquarters
| maintained a strict silence, while the
White House apparently had decided to
permit the Presidents views to be pre-
sented in his official communication.