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Letters of Henry S. Whitehead, 1942

Page 7

primary importance in securing any proper understanding of the vital differences between the two republics which are anything but "sister-republics". In all other Islands and parts of the Caribbean world (to the best of my knowledge universally so) the lineup is: Whites and "Colored" against Blacks, i.e., the opposite of our alignment in the Continental U.S. of A., where Black and 
"Colored" are joined "against" Whites, so to speak. This, again, is a vital point in understanding the entire social structure of the Caribbean civilization. It is almost always bungled or misstated by writers, especially half-informed Americans.

VIII. "Cacos" (Haytien bandits, rabble, followers of new revolutionists, opportunists of the lower orders of society) is simply the Greek word "kakos" i.e., "bad", applied some years ago by a visiting wag to the class indicated. The word has no connection with "coconuts", "cacao" etc., all of which is the fanciful result of crass ignorance on the part of many writers.

IX. Marines, in general, should be held blameless for alleged "atrocities". Such, when committed, were almost invariably at the hands of the native Gendarmerie, under non-commissioned Marines, promoted to the TEMPORARY rank of Lieutanants, for the purpose of organizing the Island police which had to deal with the cacos. In many instances -- most, in fact -- detachments of these native troops perpetuated the "outrages" which have been wrongly attributed to Marines themselves.

X. A word of caution may not be amiss when one deals with an "ex-Lieutenant" etc. of Haytien Occupational service. Such are, in a preponderating number of cases (this is for your private ear, please; I must not be quoted) honest (or otherwise) rough-necks who held a purely temporary rank under the conditions I have outlined above. I have, of course, no reference to any particular person. But the idea of a commission usually carries with it some idea of trustworthiness, and this, in the type of case alluded to, cannot be relied upon. Wild tales have come out of both Hayti and Santo Domingo, and almost always "from an Officer in the Marine Corps." Real officers would be very chary of giving out many of these.

If an illustration be not amiss (only if you will pardon me, since I have only your interest in mind,) I might point to a story in the issue for December. The tale is about the eruption of Mt. Pelee. In it it is stated that the crew of the cruiser, when sailing from Cape St. Nicholas Mole (which is the right name for the place) cogitated whether or not they were going to Vera Cruz. To get from Cape St. Mole to Vera Cruz, a vessel would sail almost due West, to the South'ard of Guantanamo and Cape Cruz, i.e., a long the Southern coast of Cuba. To get to Martinique, the vessel would have to double Navassa (as stated) but there could be no doubt in the mind of anybody aboard about the general destination, for Martinique is due EAST from Hayti! It is, furthermore, many years since a rowboat or cutter has been used as Captain's gig aboard a U.S. Navy Cruiser. It would have been a power boat. "Fort de France" (noted as something weird and to be concealed even from the petty officer's comrades when found on the consul's napkins) is merely the name of the other large town on Martinique. Etc., etc., etc.

With every good wish, I am
Most sincerely yours,
Henry S. Whitehead.

Saving...

primary importance in securing any proper understanding of the vital differences between the two republics which are anything but "sister-republics". In all other Islands and parts of the Caribbean world (to the best of my knowledge universally so) the lineup is: Whites and "Colored" against Blacks, i.e., the opposite of our alignment in the Continental U.S. of A., where Black and "Colored" are joined "against" Whites, so to speak. This, again, is a vital point in understanding the entire social structure of the Caribbean civilization. It is almost always bungled or misstated by writers, especially half-informed Americans. VIII. "Cacos" (Haytien bandits, rabble, followers of new revolutionists, opportunists of the lower orders of society) is simply the Greek word "kakos" i.e., "bad", applied some years ago by a visiting wag to the class indicated. The word has no connection with "coconuts", "cacao" etc., all of which is the fanciful result of crass ignorance on the part of many writers. IX. Marines, in general, should be held blameless for alleged "atrocities". Such, when committed, were almost invariably at the hands of the native Gendarmerie, under non-commissioned Marines, promoted to the TEMPORARY rank of Lieutanants, for the purpose of organizing the Island police which had to deal with the cacos. In many instances -- most, in fact -- detachments of these native troops perpetuated the "outrages" which have been wrongly attributed to Marines themselves. X. A word of caution may not be amiss when one deals with an "ex-Lieutenant" etc. of Haytien Occupational service. Such are, in a preponderating number of cases (this is for your private ear, please; I must not be quoted) honest (or otherwise) rough-necks who held a purely temporary rank under the conditions I have outlined above. I have, of course, no reference to any particular person. But the idea of a commission usually carries with it some idea of trustworthiness, and this, in the type of case alluded to, cannot be relied upon. Wild tales have come out of both Hayti and Santo Domingo, and almost always "from an Officer in the Marine Corps." Real officers would be very chary of giving out many of these. If an illustration be not amiss (only if you will pardon me, since I have only your interest in mind,) I might point to a story in the issue for December. The tale is about the eruption of Mt. Pelee. In it it is stated that the crew of the cruiser, when sailing from Cape St. Nicholas Mole (which is the right name for the place) cogitated whether or not they were going to Vera Cruz. To get from Cape St. Mole to Vera Cruz, a vessel would sail almost due West, to the South'ard of Guantanamo and Cape Cruz, i.e., a long the Southern coast of Cuba. To get to Martinique, the vessel would have to double Navassa (as stated) but there could be no doubt in the mind of anybody aboard about the general destination, for Martinique is due EAST from Hayti! It is, furthermore, many years since a rowboat or cutter has been used as Captain's gig aboard a U.S. Navy Cruiser. It would have been a power boat. "Fort de France" (noted as something weird and to be concealed even from the petty officer's comrades when found on the consul's napkins) is merely the name of the other large town on Martinique. Etc., etc., etc. With every good wish, I am Most sincerely yours, Henry S. Whitehead.