Minister to Haiti

The island Republic of Haiti is mountainous, suited to guerrilla revolutions. It is tropical, suited to a lazy, roistering populace. Towering on bold Cap Haitien, the citadel La Ferriere (built under the lash of black King Henri Christophe, who reigned from 1811 to 1820) stands sole witness to the potentialities of organized, industrious Haiti citizens. Since the time of King Christophe, especially since 1915 when the U. S. assumed responsibility for quelling wholesale murders in Haiti, nothing, not even U. S. Marines, has made the Haitians a nation worthy of La Ferriere. Last year President Hoover thought that something more should be done. He sent one more commission to investigate Haitian conditions. Its recommendation: withdrawal of U. S. paternal offices, restoration of national status.

Last week the President of the U. S. appointed a Minister to Haiti. He is Dana Gardner Munro, 38, studious son of that scholarly father, Princeton's Professor of Medieval History, Dr. Dana Carleton Munro. Young Minister Munro is an engaging, gentle diplomat, chief of the Department of State's Division of Latin-American Affairs, author of an authoritative book on Central America.

That Minister Munro ought to get on well with his easy-going tropical hosts is suggested by a story told on him in Washington. Invited to dinner at the White House, he and Mrs. Munro arrived 30 min. late, were advised by Chief Usher Ike Hoover to dine elsewhere. On another occasion, dilatory Dana Munro arrived late with a speech-of-state which he had prepared for the President to deliver.

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