Self-Determining Haiti / Four articles reprinted from The Nation embodying a report of an investigation made for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

by James Weldon Johnson

The New Constitution of Haiti

THE new Constitution of the Republic of Haiti, ratified under the American Occupation, altered the former Constitution in regard to the important subject of the right of foreigners to hold land. Article 6 of the old Constitution reads:

No one, unless he is a Haitian, may be a holder of land in Haiti, regardless of what his title may be, nor acquire any real estate.

Article 5 of the Constitution of 1918 makes the following provision:

The right to hold property is given to foreigners residing in Haiti, and to societies formed by foreigners, for dwelling purposes and for agricultural, commercial, industrial, or educational enterprises. This right shall be discontinued five years after the foreigner shall have ceased to reside in the country, or when the activities of these companies shall have ceased.

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