Haiti. A decree strips Haitians who registered at foreign consulates, and Haitian women who marry foreigners, of the rights of citizens.

For several months, with a view to a campaign that Pierrot proposed to undertake against the Dominican Republic, the military authority had been actively recruiting the young men, almost without distinction, in every arrondissement. Many Haitians took refuge in the consulates of the foreign powers so as not to be enrolled, and reports against them frequently reached the President of Haiti, who resolved to strip them of their standing as Haitians.

He issued in this regard the decree that follows:

THE PRESIDENT OF HAITI,

On the advice of the Council of the Secretaries of State,

“Considering that several Haitians have had themselves registered at the foreign consulates in Haiti for the purpose of exempting themselves from the duties they had to fulfil toward the country;

“Considering that by this act these Haitians have renounced their Fatherland and have acquired naturalization in foreign countries, and that they must no longer enjoy the privileges attached by law to the standing of citizens of Haiti, nor continue to inhabit its territory, which they will not defend;

“Considering that, since the marriage of Haitian women with foreigners entails by operation of law their naturalization as foreigners, for they follow the condition of their husbands, they can no longer be regarded as Haitian women, and that they likewise lose, together with their children, every right to the enjoyment of the privileges attached to the standing of a Haitian;