Evening star., 1933-10-08
NEW DEAL ACCORDED HAITI
HAILED BY LATIN AMERICA
Resentment Over Past Military Policy
of United States Fades on
Advent of New Course.
BY GASTON NERvAL.

THROUGHOUT Latin America the
executive agreement" recently
concluded between the Govern
i mentS of the United States and
Haiti has received enthusiastic
approval. To understand this en-
thusiasm, although the agreement is
only the first step to end American in
tervention in the island republic and
does not correct all of the objection
able practices allied with Intervention,
one must bear in mind the high lights
Of Haitian-American relations in the
past quarter of century, and COM
pare the methods then prevailing with
the liberal and considerate treatment
involved in the new agreement.
Despite the fact internal political
disturbances had always been more or
less chronic in Haiti, it was only after
financial interests in the country that
they aroused concern in Washington.
Soon after the appearance of the Ma
tional City Bank in Haitian finances
in 1910, the State Department began
to show anxiety for the instability of
the Haitian authorities and to devise
means to insure the safety of Aneri
can investments.
Control Sought.
1t was, precisely, at that time that
the ultimate transformation of the
Monroe Doctrine had taken place. Th2
Roosevelt corrollary had definitely con-
verted the old declaration. in the eyes
Of public opinion as well as in the
understanding of many statesmen un-
familiar with its original meaning. into
q policy which precluded any kind Of
European interference and which in
trusted the United States with the
protection Of European lives and prop
erty in revolution-torn Latin Ameri-
can countries. The policy of the big
stick" had already been announced BY
Theodore Roosevelt and realistic OBJ
legations of dollar diplomacy" had
been avowedly praised by Taft and
Knox
Following the Dominican precedent.
the State Department decided that the
best way to bring about domestic tran
guilty, protect American interests and
avoid possible European complications,
was to secure control of the Haitian
customs house, main source OF the ma
tional revenue, and supervise the gov
ernment finances. Suggestions to this
effect became quite inslstent after the
outbreak of the World War.
After six of these overtures had failed.
while one revolutionary regime succeed
ed another the State Department ad-
vanced the peculiar doctrine that the
United States. in view Of Its Lacltly
conceded obligations as the nearest
friend of Haiti in her relations with
the rest of the world''-an obvious REF
erence to the Monroe Doctrlne-"W would
feel at liberty thereafter to insist that
revolutionary movements cease and that
all subsequent changes in the govern
ment of the republic be effected by the
peaceful processes PROVIDED IN the Hal
tian constitution"
Pressure Attempted.
When President Theodore was quietly
elected in Haiti. the Secretary Of State
offered to extend him recognition In eX-
change for a convention conceding Gus
toms control settlement of all outstand-
ing questions between the government
! the bank and the American railroad
and an agreement never to lease to any
European power any portion OF Haitian
territory for naval or coallng purposes
This having proved Of no avail, a
method OF pressure which had already
| been used in the neighboring Dominican
| republic, was attempted. Inc bank
controlled by the National City Bank
withheld all government funds. upor
the advice of the American Minister
that this course might persuade the
! Haitian authorities to turn over the Gus
toms houses.
Such expectation did not come true
and. several days later, fearing that the
government might try forcibly to take
its funds. the bank decided to transfer
them to safer haven, its home oftce Ii
New York For this purpose, con.
tingent of United States Marines ianoed
in the Haitian capital. proceeded tc