NEGRO REPUBLIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 124, 16 May 1908, Page 3

NEGRO REPUBLIC

LAND 01-" MISERY, BLOODSHED, AND MORAL DECAY. 1 lay Li. a negro Republic, and an independent State, is, after Cuba, the largest of the \Ycst 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 ami 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 1503. French and other marauders took possession of the island, which was ceded to France in Ki!)7. L'ndcr the French regime enormous numbers of Africans were imported. .Shortly before the close of the eighteenth century a terrible *t niggle took place Wtween the blacks and the whites, which led to the extermination of the once dominant Europeans. Since then the i>!and has hewn under the control of the negroes. Santo Domingo i> another negro Republic on the «aine island, and the Germans have long been getting a footing there as well as in 1 layti. There has been a. sharp contest between Germain and American* for concessions and special privileges. Xord Alexis, the aged negro President, said to the Americans who wanted to secure exclusive privileges in llaytian ports: "We don't mind giving you the concession. but we are afraid this will mean giving you our island too.' Xord is a dignified oh! African, and despite hi> age. somethiug between eighty and one hundred, he is often too alert to be hoodwinked by the tricky blacks. -U last the terms wer*» agreed upon, and a Bill granting the concessions was drawn up. signed by Nord. and sent to the llaytian Congress for ratification.

Then came ipiitc a llilbcrtian scene. The lawmaker* did not approve of their President's action. and did not want to pass the Hill. -o having delayed it bv 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 concessionaires appear to have been supported by the ollieiaU; at '

T!ie Americans arc now making a railroad across the island. Official peculation, judicial murder, and corruption of every kind underlie the forms and titles of civilised government in Hayti. The religion, nominally Christian, is largely Vaildoux, 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 (tencral I'irmin was only recently suppressed, Xord Alexis pardoning all connected with it, sonic of whom had taken refuge at the American Consulate at Port de la Paix. Orders wen-, however, given for the expulsion of six I'renchmen. including the Ae<ing-t,'ou-ul ol Cap Jlatyi'ii, an Englishman named lieorge Jiennett. and others. The backward state of the country mav be easily imagined, 'the enlightenment of a century ago. sr»h as the luxurious Trench planters gave the island, has been blotted out. Everywhere the traveller i> now reminded of primeval savagery. Erench nuns ami friars, mostly from Brittany, have in the villages, but the masses are in a slate of complete ignorance,

and there is an utter lack of publi.' -pirit. Tlinv ;in- no highway?-, and t h« j sy.{ ■•m *>l govennueiii nil ogelhrr U a farce. During tin- celebration of the 1 until anuivcr.-ary tit' independence potilions were sent i'» President Xord linking him to a massacre ol tno whilom as a lining patriotic memento (if the occasion.