Western Hemisphere 11
Narrative: American President Benjamin Harrison dispatched an American fleet to
Port-au-Prince in an attempt to intimidate Haiti into leasing the area of Môle Saint-
Nicolas to the United States so that a naval base could be established there. Haiti
refused.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from September 20, 1889. End Date changed
from September 30, 1889.
MID#1529
Dispute Number: 1529
Date(s): February 21, 1891 to April 22, 1891
Participants: 2 United States of America/41 Haiti
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side A (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute concerns the Mele Affair between the United States and
Haiti. Haiti had previously tried to cede territory to the United States, sometimes in
exchange for the implicit protection the Americans would provide Haiti against their
numerous, and powerful, European creditors. Chester A. Arthur, who was offered
Mele Saint-Nicolas years earlier, refused to take it.
Newly minted US President Benjamin Harrison reversed previous policy by trying
to acquire Mele Saint-Nicolas in hopes of adding a coaling station to the Caribbean.
The Haitian leader, Hyppolite, was domestically constrained because most perceived
him as a puppet of the United States so he suggested a lease rather than outright
exchange. Negotiations broke off, and the United States reacted by sending warships,
first in February and then again in April. The presence of the ships caused panic in
Port-au-Prince, but the Haitians refused to relent and the American ships withdrew.
MID#2234
Dispute Number: 2234
Date(s): July 16, 1911 to July 31, 1911
Participants: 2 United States of America/41 Haiti
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The United States dispatched multiple warships to Haiti during a rebellion
to protect American nationals and business interests.
Coding changes: Dropped from the dispute: 255 Germany. End Date changed from
August 3, 1911.
MID#100
Dispute Number: 100
Date(s): December 13, 1914 to September 16, 1915
Participants: 2 United States of America/41 Haiti
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None