The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-03


From the Opinion Rationale, Feb. a, 1867.
We have to recur to the secret mission to st. Do
mingo, with which, it is reported, Mr.. Frederick Sew
ard has been charged. 1t seems that the aim OF tie
United States is to buy the Bay of SANTANA. Now,
this is matter Of serious import
Situate the eastern side of the Island of Hayti,
the Bay of SANTANA is not only Of the finest arg-
est and safest harbors in the world but, in naval
point Of yiew it is Of unequalled Importance in the
Antilles and surrounding waters. Indeed, it lies to
the windward of St. Domingo Cuba, Jamaica, and the
Gulf of Mexico to which last access can be had only
by steering north or south of SANTANA in order to en-
ter either the difficult channel running between Cuba
and the headland of Tucatan The largest fleets can
anchor there in safety from the weather as well as IRON
an enemy for the entrance. to the bay is passage
about three miles, which can be easily defended by
batteries on both shores. The fine situation OF this
bay has always caught the eye OF naVgators because
together with these nautical and straegical advan-
tages the Bay OF SANTANA has others eminenty valu-
able. Several rivers flow into it, one of which, the
Yuma is navgabe for over fifty miles. The bay IS
surrounded by forests aboundng in the finest mbers
used in building and finally the country around con-
tans mines OF iron, copper and lead and, together
with these coal mines, which are still more valuable.
Had France kept San Domingo the bay of SANTANA
would long since have become of the busiest CEN
tres of European trade with the Islands and mainland
of America. DOgerrOn, at the time governor Of the
COLONY had founded a settlement there in 1878 NJ
dc Galifet made the attempt again in 1897 and the
Count d'Esaing took up the plan again in 1854 sand
tried to start it on magnificent scale But the bay
at that time belonged to Spain, and the bargain be-
gun with the court of Madrid ended in nothing. In
1922 General Donzel0t revived the splendid plan of
dEstang, and it was taken up By the government of
Louis Philippe IN 1916, but failed because Of the
formal opposition made by the British Cabinet, who
were enabled to present argument against it that
admitted of reply, namely, France having lost her
colony Of st. Domingo had no real claim to the right
Of occupying SANTANA. We must at this moment look
upon the recent attempt made by the United States IN
the same light as to what relates to the question of
right. But still other considerations must be appealed
to against the pretensions Of the Washington govern
melt.
If the United States become masters Of the Bay of
SANTANA it is evident that they will occupy prepon
derating position in the Antilles and will be able to
set themselves up the sovereign arbiters Of the des
tines of that archipelago. The republics eft st. Do
ming0 and Hayti, where yet have interests of so
much weight, would be entirely at their discretion.
They woGld have, in measure Cuba, Porto Rico,
Jamaica and all the Antilles under their thumb. We
are not enemies Of the United States and we have
given striking and constant proofs of this fact But
we cannot bring sympathy up to that point at
which it would turn into blind condescension for
ambitious schemes and menace the legitimate and
secular rights of Europe well as the Interests of
those natonalitlcs which have already been formed
have tendency form, in the Antilles elsewhere.
Hence we are entirely opposed to the plan now at
trbuted to the Americans of becoming masters Of the
Bay of SANTANA; and though We have given up pos
session of Hayt, we did not do SO to witness after
wards great foreign power take our place there,
matter what power it may be, whether Of the Old or
New World but rather for the purpose Of setting up
and exaltng on American soil the principle Of nation
aies, as well as the incontcstble right Of the Hay
items to govern themselves. Hence it would be with
regret that we should witness the United States fol-
loving up this project which could not fail to become
4 cause of just dsquiet to France, SPain England and
the republic of Hayti.
Our Consul General at Port au Prince, II. Maximus
Regbaud has the honor of battling the project pre-
vous to the annexation of the Dominican republic to
Spain. Could We succeed now SO we'll, in case the
United States have really the intentions attributed to
them