1939: Haiti

The Republic of Haiti comprises the western part of the island of Hispaniola, formerly known as Haiti, which lies among the Greater Antilles group in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Cuba. The Republic covers 10,204 sq. mi. of the Island's total 29,536 sq. mi., the rest of which is occupied by the Dominican Republic. The population of Haiti in 1937 was estimated at 2,650,000, all but about 3,000 being Negroes. The language is creole French, the religion predominantly Catholic, and the populace 85 per cent illiterate. The capital is Port-au-Prince.

The principal crop is coffee; 50,000,000 lbs. valued at 17,327,215 gourdes (the gourde equals 20 cents) were exported in 1938. Other important crops are: cocoa, cotton, sugar-cane, sisal, lignum vitae, fruits, and corn. Gold, silver, copper, iron and antimony exist in limited quantities, almost wholly undeveloped. Exports in 1938 (chiefly to the United States) were valued at 6,981,505 gourdes; imports, chiefly cotton tissues, wheat flour, machinery and manufactured articles, at 3,521,472 gourdes (lowest in 21 years).

The President, elected for a 5-year term, has wide powers and, under the present régime, no organized opposition. President Stenio Vincent will have served 10 years by the time his second term expires in 1941. The Senate (members appointed by the President and deputies) and the Chamber (elected) — in abeyance since 1917 — were revived in 1930 to sit till 1936.

On Feb. 17, 1939, the Government received $275,000 from the Dominican Government in a compromise settlement of amounts claimed for the killing in riots of some 12,000 Haitian nationals on Oct. 12, 1937, in Dominican territory. With this controversy disposed of, relations between the two became more cordial.

On Sept. 16, 1939, after the outbreak of war in Europe, Haiti proclaimed its neutrality. On Nov. 10, Haiti sent a minister, Abel Nicholas Leger, to represent the Government at the Vatican.