Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-12
RUSSELL REPORTS
ON HAITIAN DEATHS
Says Weakness of Native
Garde NeCessitated Shoot.
ing by Marines.

Action by the Marines, which re-
suited in the killing of 10 demonstrators
in revolutionary disorders in Haiti last
Fall was necessary, Brig Gen. Russell,
American high commissioner at Port
au Prince, declared in his annual re-
port, made public today at the State
Department.
Coming lust as indications from Haiti
and the White House are that the Ma
rlne commander may be supplanted
before long by diplomatic representa-
tive, with the formation of a stable
representative Haitian government, un-
usual interest has been attached here
to Gen. RusSell's views.
The report covers events up to the
end of 1929 and so made no mention
OF the American commission now en-
gagged in Strengthening the political
tangle in Haiti. It accepted as a closed
incident the plan for holding national
elections for Senators and Deputies this
year.
Garde inexperienced.
The November student strike, which
finally involved at AUX Cages the kill
ing Of 10 demonstrators by american
Marines, was said by Gen. Russell not
to possess intrinsically the importance
aScribed to it in the American press.
After outlining the causes Of the revolu-
tionary activities, which he said in
cluded "liquor, hatred of the town aux
Cages and the expectation of loot, +"
Gen. Russell said that only the mex
perience and numerical weakness of the
Garde DHaiti made action by the Ma
rtneS necessary.
Had previous Haitian history per-
mitted the establishment of an adequate
police force of long experience and
tradition, or had the Haitian govern
ment been able completely to reorganize
the courts so that offenders against
public order would have had prompt
justice instead Of acquittal melted out to
them, martial law and the support of
the American Marines would not have
been necessary IN this case" the gen.
eral reported.
Cheap AIeehol FaetsT.
However, until the mentality of the
people becomes accustomed to stable
government, as long as ignorance end
poverty Of the people furnishes q revolu-
tionary field for irresponsible politicians,
as long as a large irresponsible mob
element Of the population exists, as long
as cheap alcohol can be obtained for
this 'hoodlum fringe any police force
in Haiti must be ready to act promptly
and decisively and, until the courts are
reorganized. to do their share in pre-
serving public order, extraordinary
measures must occasionally be taken"
This is the lesson of the strike" he
said, the further lesson is the unwel-
come one that revolutionary mentality
is not dead in Haiti. 1t has been weak
ened and will weaken further as the
lot and intelligence of the common peo-
ple-already improved ap-
proaches standards Of more fortunate
countries. Should it further evidence
itself, the Garde D'Haiti, fortified by
the incidents just recited, win be even
better able to handle it. For the nonce,
however, the Garde under present cir
cumstanceS of organization and
strength, should have behind it q re-
serve, a feeling of support"
Gen. Russell praised the wisdom of
President Borno, and attributed to his
efforts much Of the progress achieved
in the past eight years. He asserted
that the mass Of the population was I'M
touched by the: November disorders,
and that although the financial out
look for 1880 involved some economic
distress and fetrenchment." he was
confident that this was being liniti-
gated by new capital and the produce
ton OF large scale agricultural projects.
The break in cotfee prices last October
was blamed for the economic difficulties.
SAILS FOR PORT Az FRINGE.