STRIKE AT HAITI

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1929, Page 5

STRIKE AT HAITI

MARTIAL LAW. .(United Press Association. —By Electric lelegrapn.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, Dec. G. President Hoover has ordered that Marines shall be hold in readiness to tie sent immediately to the island republic of Haiti, where there are disorders. These have necessitated the establishment of martial law by tjlie •American authorities. Seventy United States Marines a're already there. The U.S.A. High Commissioner, Brigndier-txeneral Bussell, has reported that the invocation of martial law has had a quietening effect in Porte An prince and tape Haitian; but the authorities are apparently still worried over further developments in tiie situation, resulting from Haitian students going on strike, which strike has spread to industrial and civil employees. There were disorders among the Customs . House strikers, which resulted in an injury to to American officials. MORE TROOPS SENT. WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. The situation in Haiti, which led to the proclamation of martial law at Porte Au Prince and at Cape Haitian yesterday, was described by Mr Stimsoii, U.S. Secretary of State, to-day, as being exceedingly serious, because of fihiero being popular excitement. There was danger of outbreaks of irresponsible elements. There was a strike in the Customs Offices, which threatened serious complications, and this resulted in martial law.

The United States has . marine corps guards now patrolling the city. All is quiet. kite United States ship “Wright,” at Norfolk, Virginia, has been ordered to sail to-morrow with a detachment of marines for duty overseas. It was presumed that Haiti is her destination.

HAITI CLASHES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PORTE AU PRINCE, (Haiti) Dec. 8. . The apparently calm situation throughout Haiti was dramatically shattered late yesterday when 1500 Haitians clashed with an American Marine Patrol on the outskirts of the city of Auxcayes. In the encounter .live Haitians* were killed and twenty, wounded. . One marine was slightly in- , jured. * Auxcayes is quiet ifc-day but a fiffMier invasion is feared and local magistrates dread looting, due to a.n old enmity between city residents and ■ peasants, Also at Jacmel, trouble was observed when widespread smuggling of Guatemala arms was exposed and mobs cut the communication wires and threatened the residents. PRESIDENT’S ACTION. WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. President Hoover has despatched 500 marines to Haiti and upon being confronted with the open violate, the President also requested Congress for authority and 50,000 dollars approbation to send a commission “without delay” to'Haiti for reconsideration of the American policy there. In a special message to Congress, Mr Hoover stated: “Our experience has jrevealed more clearly than was at fiist seen, the difficulties of the problem.