Evening star., 1933-10-08

ported to New York and deposited in
the vaults of the National City Bank"
Landing Force Ordered.
Soon afterward the disorder NofiUw-
ing the overthrow Of President Gull
laume Sam offered an opportunity for
more drastic action. When the deposed
Chief Executive was dragged out of the
French legation, at Port au Prince. and
murdered by a mob infuriated by his
massacre of political prisoners, Admiral
Capperton of the United States Navy re-
ceived instructions from Washington to
land forces 'at the request Of the State
Department"
Admiral Capperton complied magni-
fcently. He occupied the Haitian cap
ital and reported that the situation was
controlled by committee of prominent
citizens acting practically" under his
directions. He per-" ded' the Cham,
Der Of Deputies to pos, ocne presidential
restored to the National Bank and sug-
gested the sending Of a regiment Of
Marines, in a1ditiCn to that already
landed, to suppress native rebel bands,
If the United States desires to nego-
tiate treaty for financial control of
Haiti" The admiral knew the plans of
the State Department and. in his frank
military language. did not attempt to
conceal them. But he advocated the
use of bayonets to obtain that which
the diplomatic endeavors of the Amer
ican charge d'affaires or the financial
pressure of the National City Bank
had been unable to accomplish.
L. S. Friend Elected.
Even for this. however it was neces-
sary to set up local government favor
able to the United States with which
to negotiate. With the open and avoWed
support of the American forces of oc-
cupation, M. Dartiguenave, who had
promised to support any terms pro-
posed by the United States" was elected
President, while United States Marines
stood at the doors OF the legislative
chamber and Admiral Cappertons chief
Of staff circulated among the Cor
gresSmen.
Immediately afterward the State De-
partmert notified the new President
that it expected the signing Of the
proposed treaty without modification"
When the Haitian secretary Of foreign
affairs contended that the new govern
rent might have to resign rather than
accept such imposition. the Secretary
of State replied that # the treaty we're
not accepted the United States would
have either 10 set up a military gov
ernment or permit the control Of
the government to pass to some other
political faction which would fall in
with the American plans
Customs Houses Taken
At the same time Admiral Capperton
was ordered TO strengthen his hold on
the country II less than two weeks
his forces took ever the customs houses
at the 10 leading ports of Haiti. the
government being thus deprive. Of its
chief source o. If ne FInal.I. alter
mart la had been formally declared
by Admiral Capperton. lie reported
Treaty situation al presen. looks more
favorable than usual This has been
effected by exercising military pressure
at propitious moments
Presently the treaty was accepted
and signed by the government but
further pressure military as we'll as
financial. was required before The Hal
tian Senate consented to ratifv i. It
only did SO when Admiral Capperton
personally and dramatically declared
before the cabinet that the United
States had the intention to retain con-
troll in Haiti until ratification had been
obtained
Provisions of Treaty.
What were the provisions OF this
treaty for which the United States
spared neither diplomatic nor military
pressure? Here are the most important:
,a) Appointment, upon the nomination
by the President Of the United States.
Of a general receiver to collect, receive
and apply all customs duties. and Of
financial adviser to be attached to the
ministry of finance; tbb prohibition TO
increase the public debt without perInls-
sion from the President Of the United
States: tcl prohibition 10 surrender any
portion OF the national territory bv sale.
| lease Or otherwise, or jurisdiction over
such territory. to any foreign govern
ment; ,d) crea~en of nati-e constab-
, ularv officered by americans: tel au-
thcrization for the United States to aid
in the preservation of Haitian lnde-
pendence and the maintenance OF
government adequate for the protection
of life property and individual liberty.
Under this semi-protectorate the gov
ernment of Haiti in the years to follow
became a unique four-hea ded aggreea-
ton of powers: The military government,
the treaty officials, the native govern
ment and the Minister Of the United
States
In 1918 the Haitian authorities agreed
10 SuIllU4l al pIOpOScu ItslSidlIOlI W LIZ
United States legation for approval.
The year before the treaty had been
extended to 1885. In 1920, upon dis
agreements on financial matters be-
tween the American adviser and the
Haitian government the former en-
ployed, again. the old recourse of with
holding the salaries of the President and
his cabient and the principal executive
officers. Several times popular opposl-
tion to the American occupation was
quelled by the use of military force.
New Deal" Arrives.
Until the executive agreement"
signed recently-justly considered the
first tangible expression OF the new
deal" in inter-American relationship
condition of Haiti had improved little
from the restrictions upon national
sovereignty involved in the treaty
which the United States Navy secured
for the State Department under Pres
ioent Dartiguenave.
AS to the merits or disadvantages of
American control of the island repub-
lie, this is not the place to discuss
them. The material benefits must be
paired against the humiliation inherent
in lack of political self-determlnation,
the complete subservience to American
financial interests-Which, until not
long ago, had the active cooperation
of the State Department in strength
en.ng their ever-expanding net-the
c.,rtailment OF individual liberty and
TIE abuses unavoidable in military rule
BY foreigners.
The recent agreement tends to ter
inmate these things. This, alone, even
if it were not sufficient to heal COM
pletely the wound and remove resent
ment for past mistakes, is enough to
win the praise of governments ara
public opinion on the other side Of the
Rio Grande Latin Americans can
better appreciate the change because
they have not forgotten the methods
of the past.
rht