New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-24
THE INsURRECTION IN sANTO
DOMINGO.

Two years ago the eastern portion Of tho
island Of Hayti, constituting ths Dominican
Republic. was quite Unexpectedly, by the
treason of its President, Santana, deprived Of
its independence, aud annexed to Spain. The
wishes of the people were not consulted. and
how large portion Of the populotion was In
favor of annexation has never been made
known. Immediately after the proclamation OF
tho Presidont, dated March Is, 1861, Spanish
troops landed, and took pos.e:; co. s.. the Re.
public in the name Of the Spanish Government
On May 20, 1861, the Queen of Spain formally
accepted the annexation, and the Dominican
Republic was reduced from the condition OF a
free State to that OF Spanish colony.
That a great many Dominicans from the be-
ginning pr tested against this change of gov
eminent has never been denied; and according
to the best accounts, it appears probable that
only the resident Spaniards and the descendants
of Spaniards, who form about one-tenth OF the
population, were favorable to tho sale of their
Independence, while tho citizens OF African or
mixed European and African descent wished
10 retain republican form Of government.
Spain has never allowed them free expression
of their preference; and il was therefore both
natural and justIhable that the national party
should make an attempt to regain their inde-
peudence. This attempt. We learn from tho
Cuban papers, was actually made 10 the latter
part Of the last month. A General Mella, who,
previous to the time Of annexation, had been
exied from the Dominican Republic, aud who
with many other opponents OF the annexation
has found an asylum in Hayti. is reported to
have been at the head Of the movement which.
on Feb. II, broke gu. in the towns OF Saa
Lorenzo do Guayubin, Les Matas, Dajabon,
Sabaneta and Monte Christi, and later also in
the provincial capital of Santiago. having, DO.
aides, numerous synpatbzers in all the other
parts Of the former republic.
OF course, such an attempt, made by popu.
lation not numbering more than 10000 souls,
had no chance of success, aud, ~ was to be
expected, it was speedily put down. The re-
ports Of the victories claimed by the Spanish
troops are unms.akabIy gross exaggerations, but
about the inal result tDrTc cOuid DC no oouot
As Poland was unable to cope, unaidcd BY for.
eien nations, with the combined forces Of
Russia, Prussia and Austria, 10 the small pop
ulation Of Santo Domingo have had to succumb
to tho overwhelming power Of Spain
Tho Spanish officers are not satisfied with
their easy triumph. but, charging the Haytians
with having instigated the insurrec.ionnry move
ment, they renew the threats which have
frequently been made against the indie
psndence of IIayti. The Diario de la Ma.
nina declares that, inasmuch as the Haytan
Government was cognizant Of the insurrectOn,
the Government Of Her Catholic Majesty will
at once take measures for preventing tho rep.
ettion Of such interference.
Spain thus assumes the same arrogant atti-
tude toward an independent American state
that France displays toward Mexico and En-
gland toward Brazil. The time must come
when tho governments and nations OF North,
Central, and South America will be compelled
to take into common and serious consideration
what means will DO best suited to prevent the
further encronclments Of Europe upon Ameri-
can independence.