DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-HAITI BOUNDARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000300250005-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 23, 1961
• Content Type: REPORT

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ivI 1?TvLk,s,"
1
International
Hoututary
Study
No. 5 - MAY 23,
4325536-
961
DOMigICANAMPUBLIC - HAITI
,ciONT 0
BOUNDARY
Geographer
11
II
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This International Boundary Study is one
of a series of specific boundary papers prepared
in the Office of the Geographer, Department of
State in accordance with provisions of Bureau of
the Budget Circular No. A-16, Exhibit D.
Government agencies may obtain additional
information and copies of the study by calling
the Office of the Geographer, Room 7334, State
Department Building, Department of State,
Washington 25, D.C. (telephone: Code 182, ex-
tension 4276). Unfolded copies of map enclosures
may be obtained from the Map Library, Code 182,
extension 3322.
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- 20?
74 1
0 72?
-18?
Montecristi
11
Puerto
Plata
70?
ATLANTIC OCEAN
618?
Cap Haitien 16
04,
Gonaives Santiago
. Hinche
4.
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WAITI
PORT-AU-PRINCE
Les Cayes Jacmel
CARIBBEAN SEA'
74?
COT U
4
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
CIUDAD TRUJILLO La Romana
6e\
Barahona
HISPANIOLA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-HAITI BOUNDARY
510 Miles
680
20?-
18? -
29853 3-61
Hispaniola is one of the few islands in the world with dual sovereignty and the only one
made up of two independent states. The boundary, aligned to give Haiti 35 per cent and the
Dominican Republic 65 per cent of the total area, runs generally north-south, crossing rather
than paralleling the major mountain chains of the island. Completely demarcated, it is 224
miles in length, of which 96 miles consists of rivers.
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INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY sTury
No. 5
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. - HAITI BOUNDARY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
,Page
Boundary Map and Brief
I. Measurement of Boundary 1
II. Politico-Geographic Significance 1
A. Water Rights 1
B. Movement of People 1
C. Commerce 1
III. Origins of the Boundary 1
IV. Key Boundary Treaties 2
A. The Treaty of 1929 2
B. The 1935 Agreement 3
C. The 1936 Treaty Revision 3
V. Seaward Termini of Boundaries 4
VI. Present Situation 4
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - HAITI BOUNDARY
I. MEASUREMENT OF BOUNDARY
In the boundary brief on the introductory map the Dominican Republic - Haiti
boundary is given as 224 miles, arrived at by measurement of a map at a scale of
1:100,000. Dr. S. Whittemore Boggs, in his book International Boundaries (1940),
gives 171 miles as the length. It is indicated that the figure was calculated from
measurement on a map at a scale of 1:820,000. Gordon Ireland in his book, Boundaries.
Possessions, and Conflicts in Central and North America and the Caribbean (1941)
alsostates that the boundary.is 171 miles in length.
It is quite natural that measurement on a larger scale map will give a greater
mileage since more irregularities, especially along rivers, will appear and be
measured.
II. POLITICO-GEOGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE
No sovereignty disputes exist along the Dominican Republic - Haiti boundary,
-so there are no problem areas relative to its alignment. But problems over water
rights, movement of people, and commerce center on the position of the boundary and
are sources of friction,- either actual or latent, between the two states.
A. Water Rights
A number of rivers start 'in the Dominican Republic and flow into Haiti, creating
the problem of water rights reminiscent on a smaller scale of the "Five Rivers" area
in the Punjab. The important Artibonite River is truly international. With its
headwaters in the Dominican Republic part of the middle course forms the boundary
between the two countries while the lower basin comprises the principal agricultural
region of Haiti.
B. Movement of People
Migration practices across the boundary, both long range and for seasonal
employment by Haitians in the Dominican Republic, are fraught withtight regulatory
legislation on the part of the latter. At times the situation is tense, leading to
Incidents.
C. Commerce
Trade across the boundary, which under any circumstances would be small, is
further restricted by Haitian law and a closed frontier initiated by the Dominican
Republic.
III. ORIGINS OF THE BOUNDARY
In the peace of Ryswick in 1697 the western third of Hispaniola became identified
as French and the eastern two-thirds as Spanish. Disputes and incidents were frequent
between the inhabitants on either side of a vague frontier. After some preliminary
agreements a boundary treaty was signed in 1777 which spelled out a supposedly
permanent boundary. Rivers served admirably for part of the boundary, but in the
more unsettled districts the line was by no means definite. This survey line served
to create more stability, but during the nineteenth century pressure from west to east
strained relations between the Spanish and French and later between the Dominican
RepubliC and Haiti .when these states came into existence. 'Haiti was eager to acquire
more territory by annexation. Several treaties were signed in an attempt to resolve
the boundary problem but not until 1929 were there any effective documents drawn up.
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IV. KEY BOUNDARY TREATIES
A. The Treaty of 1929
On January 21, 1929 there was signed at Santo Domingo a boundary treaty essen-
tially setting forth the line as it exists today. The descriptive part of the
document reads as follows:
Art. 1. The frontier line between the Dominican Republic and the Repub-
lic of Haiti starts from the thalweg of the mouth of the river Dajabon or
Massacre, in the Atlantic Ocean (Bay of Mancenille, north of the island) and
following the course of that river until opposite the town of Dajabon, accord-
ing to the map, made in 1901 by the mixed Dominican-Haitian Commission, of the
frontier line in the extreme north.
Subd. 2. From Dajabon, it follows the course of the river Dajabon or
Massacre to its confluence with the river Capotille or Bernard, according to
the studies of the said Commission, which are considered as annexed to the
present treaty;
Subd. 3. From said confluence it follows then the course of the river
Capotille or Bernard to its source, on Mount Citadel or Height of Las Palomas;
from that point along the crest of the mountain chain northwestward to the
point where it meets a mount covered with pines called Loma de los Pinos;
along this last mount following its crest, to a plain (Loma Llana), whence it
runs west to a bare peak; thence southwest to the summit of a mountain called
Pan de Azucar but commonly known in the locality as Mount Grime; thence to the
source of the river Libon; thence it follows the course of that river to the
point where that river crosses the road called royal highway (Camino Real),
which goes from Banica to Restauration (Gourabe), following that road to the
point where it crosses the river Artibonite, opposite Banica. (Said royal
highway passes to the west of Miel and to the east of, Cerca-la-Source). Where
said frontier line follows the road, it shall be traced in the middle of said
royal highway, which thus remains at the service of both States. From where
the said road crosses the river Artibonite, opposite Banica, the frontier line
follows (the Artibonite to its confluence with the river Macasia; the Macasia
to San Pedros along the crest of the ridge in a straight line to Fort Cachiman;
through the center of said Fort and bending toward the southeast, in a straight
line to the river Carrizal; up that river to its source; in a straight line to
Rancho de las Mujeres, leaving it to the east; in a straight line to Carlada
Miguel; continuing southwest to the Rio de los Indios at a well defined
promontory; along that river to the road which leads to Gobert; along that
road, leaving Gobert and Carrefour to the west and following the crest of the
ridge in a straight line to the south-eastern peak called Loma de Fond Pitte
(Bajada Grande) to Las Lajas following the middle of the royal highway which
leads towards Haiti; to El Fondo, following the sane road);
Subd. 4. From El Fondo to El Kilmer? the frontier line shall be that
indicated (B-C-D-E) on the plan which, accepted by both parties and signed by
Mm. Dejean and Troncoso de la Concha is annexed to this treaty, of which it
forms a part.
Subd. 5. From El Ndmero to Minguette; to Tempe; to Mare Citron; to
Guasima; to the village of Bois Tombe; to Gros Mare or Gros Mat; to a gorge
between Grande Savane and Sabana de Zumbi (formerly La Descubierta); to the
source of the river Pedernales (Cabeza de Caboguette); along that river to
the paint where its water submerges; along the dry bed of the Pedernales to
the point where the water reappears, between Cabeza de Agua and Tete-6-1lEau;
along the course of that river to opposite Spanish or Banana court; to the
point where that crosses the present road (royal highway) leading to Anse4L-Pitres
and Pedernales, through the pass called Chart Pass; along the middle of said
road about 2.8 miles to Glace Pass; from where the royal highway crosses the
Pedernales along the course of that river to the thalweg of its mouth, in the
Caribbean Sea, south of the island.
Art. 16. . . Although there has never existed any controversy on the
subject of ownership of the adjacent islands to be found in the neighborhood
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of the mouth of the river Djabon or Massacre and of the river Pedernales, it
remains fixed in the present treaty that the islands, islets and isles following:
in the north, Siete Hermanos and La Cabra, in the south, La Beata, Alta Vela
or Alto Velo and Los Frailes are and always have been under the sovereignty of
the Dominican Republic.
B., The 1935 Agreement
To carry out the provisions of the 1929 treaty a demarcation commission during
1930 marked about 80 percent of the boundary. On the basis of previous negotiations
Haiti benefited by this survey. However, in five areas the commission encountered
problems amounting to disagreement on the boundary alignment. After due consider-
tion of these findings, including the personal attention of President Trujillo of
the Dominican Republic, an agreement was signed February 27, 1935, to resolve the
differences. The five areas in question were handled thusly: '
First. To fix as source or head of the river LibOn the point where the
rivers Marigoyenne and Tenebras unite to form thence downstream the river
LibOn. The frontier, consequently, shall go in a straight line from the
marker No. 48 on Mont Grime to said point.
Second. The course of the frontier from transit station No. 805 on the
road from RestauraciOn to Binica to the river Artibonito was settled by the
Miel protocol.
Third. From the point SP 4 marked by the Demarcation Commission at
San Pedro on the river Macasias the line shall follow the ridge of the hills,
descending to Tumba la Rosa, passing by Dame Jeanne Cass?e and by the cemetery
established at Fort Cachiman; thence to the river Carrizal, leaving the royal
highway in Haitian territory; up the waters of the river Carrizal to its head.
Fourth. From the head of the Carrizal to Mare Zephir (Rancho de las
Mujeres) passing Raison Madame SalomOn; thence to Cariada Miguel.
Fifth. The line shall run from Gros Mare to the well-defined ravine at
Mare Orange; thence to Bonite spring, head of the river Pedernales, the
intermediate points to be located later . . .
C. The 1936 Treaty Revision
Following the signing of the 1935 document, the demarcation commission was re-
constituted, resulting in a protocol revision of the 1929 Treaty, which was signed
at Port-au-Prince on March 9, 1936. Its provisions read as follows:
Art. 1. The Dominican Republic consents to the revision of Paragraph 2
of Article 1 of the Treaty of Jan. 21, 1929 (to read): a line from Passe
Maguane or the point marked 22 R.L. following the axis of the river Lib6n to
the pass called Tilorl; thence the line shall follow the axis of a highway
belonging to the two states to begin at the Pass of Tilori or Madame Luchen,
along the right bank of the river Libcin, past Juan de Paz, then crossing the
stream Los Algodones across the stream La Guarana, along the right bank of
that stream, across La Mechora plain, past Cocoi, along the skirts of Las
Guaranas, past Hatillo, La Tasajera, La Baria, La Diablesa and Los Carraos
to El Corte (Le Cour).
From El Corte (Le Cour) the highway shall follow the existing road for a
distance of 1500 meters towards Guayacan, thence the highway shall be con-
structed parallel to the course of the river Artibonito at a maximum distance
of from 800 to 1000 meters; thence through the cross roads called Fundo Viejo
(Croix Vieux Fond), crossing the stream La Salle, then the brook called
Canada Bonita and on to the pass called Los Cacaos, where it crosses the river
Artibonito. At this place shall be built the International Bridge of Artibonito.
From said International Bridge the frontier line shall follow the axis of the
river Artibonito to opposite the town of alnica, whence it shall continue along
the axis of the river Artibonito, in accordance with the boundary fixed in
1929 . . .
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Art. 8. The Dominican Republic accepts the revision of Paragraph 3 of
Article 1 of the Treaty of Jan. 21, 1929 (to read): thence through the center
of Fort Cachiman and bending toward the southeast and at 15 meters from the
axis, it follows A line parallel to the present royal highway which goes to
Comendador, leaving that highway in Haitian territory, till it reaches the
Stream Carrizal.
V. SEAWARD TERMINI OF BOUNDARIES
Along both the north and south coasts of Hispaniola the boundary between the
Dominican Republic and Haiti reach the sea coincidental with the thalwegs of the
Dajabon and Pedernales rivers. Seaward termini then, would in each case be along
a line drawn across the mouth of the river,. precisely at a point over the middle of
the deepest channel.
Off the south coast of Hispaniola the islands of La Beata, Alta Vela, and
Los Frailes are so located as to give the Dominican Republic undisputed claim over
them. In the north the Seven Brothers (Siete Hermanos: Arena, Monte Chico, Monte
Grande MUertos, Ratas, Tercero, and Tororu) lie to the west of a line extending
straight north from the seaward termini of the boundary. But the configuration of
the Dominican Republic coast is such that this country has been able to claim them
without dispute. An eighth small island, La Cabra, is unmistakably Dominican.
VI. PRESENT SITUATION
Since 1936 there have been no official boundary changes, but the line stands
as a nearly impenetrable screen between two states vastly different in cultural and
political outlooks though they may be quite similar in landscape and climate. The
riots in 1937 leading to the killing of thousands of immigrant Haitian laborers
did not augur well to the relationship of the two states. But nO new incidents of
so grave a nature have transpired since, and present problems are at least being
handled by legislation and negotiation.
GPO 911963
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Art. 8. The Dominican Republic accepts the revision of Paragraph 3 of
Article 1 of the Treaty of Jan. 21, 1929 (to read): thence through the center
of Fort Cachiman and bending toward the southeast and at 15 meters from the
axis, it follows A line parallel to the present royal highway which goes to
Comendador, leaving that highway in Haitian territory, till it reaches the
Stream Carrizal.
V. SEAWARD TERMINI OF BOUNDARIES
Along both the north and south coasts of Hispaniola the boundary between the
Dominican Republic and Haiti reach the sea coincidental with the thalwegs of the
Dajabon and Pedernales rivers. Seaward termini then, would in each case be along
a line drawn across the mouth of the river,. precisely at a point over the middle of
the deepest channel.
Off the south coast of Hispaniola the islands of La Beata, Alta Vela, and
Los Frailes are so located as to give the Dominican Republic undisputed claim over
them. In the north the Seven Brothers (Siete Hermanos: Arena, Monte Chico, Monte
Grande MUertos, Ratas, Tercero, and Tororu) lie to the west of a line extending
straight north from the seaward termini of the boundary. But the configuration of
the Dominican Republic coast is such that this country has been able to claim them
without dispute. An eighth small island, La Cabra, is unmistakably Dominican.
VI. PRESENT SITUATION
Since 1936 there have been no official boundary changes, but the line stands
as a nearly impenetrable screen between two states vastly different in cultural and
political outlooks though they may be quite similar in landscape and climate. The
riots in 1937 leading to the killing of thousands of immigrant Haitian laborers
did not augur well to the relationship of the two states. But nO new incidents of
so grave a nature have transpired since, and present problems are at least being
handled by legislation and negotiation.
GPO 911963
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