Opposition to his rule led to serious disorders. Larger U.S. forces were sent to the island, where they were attacked by mobs. One of the root causes of the anti-U.S. sentiment was the American practice of giving preference to Haitian mulattos (because of their light skin) over blacks in government and other arenas of power.
In view of the widespread anti-American feeling, a commission of investigation, headed by W. Cameron Forbes, was sent out by the Washington government. This commission recommended administrative reforms, the replacement of the military high commissioner by a civilian, and the continuation of the treaty relationship until 1936. It also persuaded Borno to relinquish office.
Stenio Vincent (1874–1959) became president. With American aid, order was restored, finances and administration were reformed, public improvements introduced, and education developed. At the same time a series of agreements was made providing for eventual termination of U.S. control. These were blocked by the Haitian assembly, which insisted on immediate withdrawal. After the advent of the Roosevelt administration, arrangements were quickly made for complete termination of U.S. control and liquidation of the Haitian foreign debt.
An acute crisis developed in relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, because of the massacre of Haitians who had migrated there to work. The Vincent government sought a peaceful solution and requested the good offices of the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba. An agreement was finally reached on Jan. 31, 1938.
