In July 1918, as the last brutal few months of World War I dragged on, Haiti declared war, on its economic ally, Germany. Haiti became the 22nd nation to declare war on Germany, as the Great War, as it would come to be known, was in its final months, in 1918.
1917 – HAITI CONSIDERS THE QUESTION OF WAR AGAINST GERMANY BUT DECIDES TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE OF BREAKING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
A commission appointed to consider the demand of Haiti’s President d’Artiguenave to declare war on Germany, reported today that there is not sufficient reason for such a declaration and proposed instead the diplomatic relations with Haiti be broken off.
The Haitian Congress will discuss the report, pending a final decision.
(The Nebraska Journal, Friday 11, May 1917)
1917 – THE SINKING OF THE FRENCH STEAMER MONTREAL BY A GERMAN TORPEDO
Haiti decided to take action against Germany, after the sinking of a French boat which had eight Haitian nationals (five crew and three passengers) onboard.
(Los Angeles Times, Saturday, 05 May, 1917)
Before Haiti could decide on breaking off diplomatic relations, Germany severed diplomatic relations with Haiti, in June 1917.
Germany severed relations after the Haitian Republic protested against Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and demanded compensation for losses to Haitian commerce and life as a result of the sinking of the French steamer Montreal.
By 1918, President d’Artiguenave, in changing certain provisions of Haiti’s constitution, demanded, and got a unanimous decision to declare war on Germany.
