A NEGRO REPUBLIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 386, 16 May 1908, Page 4

A NEGRO REPUBLIC.

A Land of Misery.

Hayti, a negro Republic, and an independent State, is, after Cuba, the largest of the West Indian Islands. It is always in an almost chronic state of disturbance and insurrection, and the story of the island is one full of tragic passions and romantic interest. The natives of the island having been exterminated by the Spaniards, the place became filled with negro slaves, who were introduced as early as 1505. French and other marauders took possession of the island, which was ceded to France in 1697. Under the French regime enormous numbers of Africans were imported. Shortly before the close of the eighteenth century, a terrible struggle took place between the blacks and the whites, which led to the extermination of the once dominant Europeans. Since then the island has been under the control of the negroes.

Santo Domingo is another negro Republic on the same island, and the Germans have long been getting a footing there as well as in Hayti. There has been a sharp contest between Germans and Americans for concessions and special privileges. Nord Alexis, the aged negro President, said to the Americans who wanted to secure exclusive privileges in Haytian ports : “We don’t mind giving you the concession, but we are afraid this will mean giving you our island too.” Nord is a dignified old African, and despite his age (something between 80 and zoo), he is often too alert to be hoodwinked by the tricky blacks. At last terms were agreed upon, and a Bill granting the concession was drawn up, signed by Nord, and sent to the Haytian Congress for ratification.

Then came quite a Gilberlian scene. The lawmaker’s did not approve of their President’s action, and did not want to pass the Bill, so having delayed it by tedious speeches as long as possible, they resorted to the expedient of going home. Nord, however, in the spirit of a dictator, sent his gunboat after the truants, who were respectfully requested to return. As the invitation was borne by soldiers the legislators returned, and the concession was duly granted. The concessionaries appear to have been supported by the officials fit Washington. The Americans are now making a railroad across the island. Official speculation, judicial murder, and corruption of every kind underlie the forms and titles of civilised government in Hayti. The religion, nominally Christian, is largely Vaudoux, or serpent worship, in which cannibalism is even now an important element. Instead of progressing, the negro Republicans have gone back to the lowest type of African barbarism.

A revolution in Hayti favouring General Firmin, was only recently suppressed, Nord Alexis pardoning all connected with it, some of whom had taken refuge at the American Consulate at Port de la Paig. Oiders were, however, given for the expulsion of six Frenchmen, including the ActingConsul of Cap Haytien, an Englishman named George Bennett, and others.

The backward state of the country may be easily imagined. The enlightenment cf a century ago, such as the luxurious French planters gave the island, has been blotted out. Everywhere the traveller is now reminded of primeval savagery. French nuns and friars, mostly from Brittany, have schools in the villages, but the masses are in a state of complete ignorance, and there is an utter lack of public spirit. There are no highways, and the system of government altogether is a farce. During the celebration of the 100th anniversary of independence, petitions were sent to President Nord, asking him to start a massacre of the whites as a fitting patriotic memento of the occasion.