The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-01


contem bic 'bscu ity at no ne, 1t is certainly
doing met ing t > ain notoriety abroad The
wor has ar ly covered frem the thrill OF
hero " tn wi b the news of the Greytown
outrage was received, be ore we are notified
that mischief l. brewing, under the ausp ces OF
an agent Of M rcy'-, in the Dominican republic
On he IT, Of July last, the United States
frigae Co 'uuba, the flag ship of the home
squadr on, ar lived at SANTANA with Gen Cazen au
United s ates di diplomatic agent, on board: and
the steamer Albany was announced as being on
her wsy 10 the same port. The appearance OF
these vessels seems to have created much ap-
prehenson IN The West Indies; some asserting
that it was the design of our government to
obtain by fraud or force footing in San Do
miDgo; others believing that Gen. Cazenau' g
mission Was merely to effect some changes in
our intercou Sc with the Dominicans, aud espe-
cial y to obtain grant Of certain privileges in
the barbor of SANTANA. Such, however, is the
dread which Spaniards entertain of American
filibusteros, and such since the Grey town out
rage-the distrust with which foreign nations
regard our government, that the mere arrival
of the Columbia has thrown the Spanish races
in the Indies into ferment.
San ana has long been o theatre of diplo-
matte squabbles. When Louis Philippe was
King Of Fra1ce, he sent ships there, and con-
trived to conclude treaty with the Do
mipican government, by which extensive
privileges were granted to the French in
that harbor His ministry seemed to
consider that they had established a
permanent footing there: and since that
time, no change has been effected, to our know
and France. Shortly after the French move
men., project was set on foot here to throw
o body Of Anglo-Saxon emigrants into the Do
minican territory, with view Of developing
resources which the Spaniards did not seem
capable Of bringing to light. AT the same
time, various emissaries were sent to the island
by our government, probably in order to as
certain the real condition Of both Hayti and
st. Domingo. The arrival of these ENJOYS, to-
gether with the rumors Of the projects Of colo
nization from hence, alarmed Canedo, then
Governor of Cuba; and Senior Torricnte, whose
name has since gained some notoriety, was
despatched in a steam vessel to SANTANA, to
watch the progress Of the movement that was
apprehcnded from this country. Torriente re-
manned there some time; but finding, as was
the case, that no practical endeavors were
being made to carry out the colonization pro-
jects, he left st. Domingo and reported to his
master that all was sale. Gen. Cazenau's recent
mission is the last event in the history; and Of
this we know nothing beyond the fact that he
is creating considerable alarm among the
Spaniards.
Had we government from which we could
expect a sound and energetic foreign policy. we
might reasonably entertain hope that Gen.
Cazenau's mission would be followed by practi
cal benefits. 1t would not be difficult, we
should imagine, to convince the authorities
Of San Domingo that we are the best
allies they could have, and in every
way preferable to the French If they have
given permission to the latter to occupy the
hsrbor Of SANTANA with vessels of war, we are
entitled to a similar privilege; indeed, re-
fusal to place rs on the same footing as the
most favored foreign nation would be an act OF
constructive hostility against which 1t would
become our duty to protest. We apprehend,
however, that no such short sighted policy need
be anticipated from the authorities Of the Do
minican republic, If they are permitted to act
independently. The only danger lies in the
French influence, which has been 30 powerful
in the councils Of that State; an element Of
trouble and discord which 1t would be we'll to
he In orC no, rr1k
forever to discard. The United States Is the
natural ally of San Domingo: France cannot
honestly figure in that capacity, and only as
sumes the disguise in order to subserve private
ends of it's own.
Nor would insuperable objections arise on
the part of the Spaniards if the old scheme Of
sending out few ship loads of emigrants to
San Domingo were again proposed. The peo-
pie Of the island must see the advantage they
would derive from the infusion Of Anglo-Sayon
energy into their society. They cannot be
blind to the backwardness of their agricultural
and Industrial condition; and it is only giving
them credit for common sense to suppose that
they are at least as anxious as foreigners to
promote the prosperity of their country. One
Spanish State-Ve nezuela-bas already &C.
knowlcdged that on influx Of Elropean or
North American settlers is essential to her
future welfare; little reflection viii certainly
lead to similar conviction In the Dominican
mind. 1t is not easy to say how scheme
of colonization could be carried out, even If all
parties were agreed respecting its expediency;
but If the government Of San Domingo made
reasonable offers, something could probably be
done. To us it would be an object to strengthen
the hands of government based on the same
principles as our own, and ruling part Of one
of the finest islands in the West Indies. A
handful of Americans, settled at SANTANA, and
the other seaports, would soon restore the,
former wealth of the island; and aided by en-