No. 285.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Thompson.
Department
of State,
Washington, May 27,
1886.
No. 51.]
Sir: I inclose a copy of a dispatch from Mr.
Goutier, our consul at Cape Haytien, stating that the Haytian Government has
prohibited the importation of kerosene oil in violation of Article XIII of
our treaty with Hayti.
It is desirable to know the exact text of the decree prohibiting the
importation of kerosene, and whether the prohibition is geographical against
the United States, leaving Russian or Egyptian petroleum free to enter
Hayti, or general against all petroleum. In either case the measure should
be made the ground of remonstrance, and, in the first
[Page 542]
instance, based on the express stipulation of
treaty. As petroleum is almost exclusively an American export, any
restriction of the traffic is, in any event, an unfriendly discrimination
against the United States, and could not fail to have disastrous results
upon the intimate intercourse which has been built up during so many years
and which has proved so beneficial to both countries.
You will first make certain of the facts, and, if they warrant, will
remonstrate courteously but firmly.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 51.]
Mr. Goutier to Mr.
Porter.
United
States Consulate,
Cape
Haytien, April 23,
1886.
No. 795.]
Sir: The Haytian Government has prohibited the
importation of kerosene oil.
As a great deal of this oil is used in Hayti, and it is imported only from the United States, I have taken the liberty
of calling the Department’s attention to this act of the Haytian
Government, which is in direct violation of Article XIII of our treaty
with Hayti:
“No prohibition shall be imposed on the importation of any article, the
growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States, or their
fisheries, from or to the ports of the United States or Hayti, which
shall not equally extend to any other foreign country.”
The inclosed statement will show that 460,520 gallons of kerosene oil
have been imported from the United States to Cape Haytien alone during
nine years ending December 31, 1885.
A line of steamers under the French flag has been established for the
coasting trade.
According to the spirit, if not the letter, of Article XII of our treaty
with Hayti, the coasting trade should be carried on in Haytian vessels.
Such being the case, under Article II of said treaty Americans can
likewise engage in the Haytian coasting trade under this most-favored
nation clause.
I am,
STANISLAS GOUTIER,
United States
Consul.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 51.]
Statement showing the quantity of Kerosene oil
imported from the United States to Cape Haytien during nine years
ending December 31, 1885.
|
Gallons. |
| 1877 |
30,710 |
| 1878 |
57,270 |
| 1879 |
62,120 |
| 1880 |
58,670 |
| 1881 |
81,630 |
| 1882 |
68,030 |
| 1883 |
44,870 |
| 1884 |
24,730 |
| 1885 |
32,490 |
|
460,520 |
STANISLAS GOUTIER.
Cape
Haytien, April 23,
1886.
