The New York herald., 1869-08-03

Bueneventura Baez. the present President, Sauana
once more became the topic Of discussion. This
lease. to which the Umted States replied 1t was not
wnnng 70 lease from any foreign Power.
tie cr or Dna sArAsA a .n 9,,
government for the efforts al least to secure TO onr
people possession which In the new relations OF
evidently requires. II would appear that humble
American citizens have been more alive to the
imaginary statesmen who faii not to Keep stirr1ng
even II their iaD0rs Little more than worthless.
no lax oI nle purchase OF 81. Thomas. when by
b0ft stroke OF diplomacy backed with small amount
OF money and gunboat or Two. 10 sustain Dornni
can authorities, by defending the new acquisition,
the negotiatlons hitherto had upon the sa-
mana question have failed. because our gov
SeIhneas SeIdv asdh mas never come som Sas wn
to back 1t. But the trlning course OF our
government has had at least the appearance in case
OF emergency OF contemplated violation Of ialth.
In such action revolution here would be inevitable
for the failure would 0e thrown before the popua-
ton AZ sufficient ground OF complaint In sue
cessful aud sincere concentration OF the transfer,
In fee, for small consideration, one-tnird the
amour amount it was proposed TO throw away on So.
Thomas, II Is unqnesti0nabie in my mind-and my
CONCLUSIONS are based upon free conversations with
leading men OF all parues-that there would be q
OF that portion OF the population desiring peace.
Tue government would feel stronger and the island
wond progress. The revoutinnists would OF Q GER
tulhty dlssent but this would prove an lnslgnicaut
element Il their outrageous and continued disturb
ance Oh the peace and prosperity Of the island were TO
be met with summary and righteous punishment.
IT Is also ialr TO suppose that many Of those
VINO have no other occupation than to assa every
to Keep & and Ire ava Gh e woo os
TO enjoy the benefits OF security OF person, liberty
and property
The acquisition Of the bay and peninsula OF
SANTANA Is now Ia a iairer way OF consummation
IMAM at any previous moment Tue government
needs AID, and our own government VIII be never
N.
are now IN the United States who claim to be the
agents OF TINS government. In conversation with
President that he mad gwen no powers to any one.
neither secret nor public. 1t Will, therefore, be
that al propositions coming from any source at
present, according to "a. Baez's own state
ment. either upon. the question Of annexation
or the acquisition of SANTANA are mnde upon indi'
vldua responsibility. Baez has declared terms to
no one. If ANYTHING Is to be done on the Samana
question 1t mast come from the United States. Were
Baez to propose to our government the sale OF Sa-
mana tnat gentleman's enemies would find plenty OF
food for their camorous throats.
Should our government take hold Of the question
in the right shape am al least able 10 say that
own terms would be accepted. have not the least
doubt, were our government to issue orders to the
authorities at League Island to ut out TWO OF tho
smaller monitors lying IDLE unere with say 5000, 900
vessels to the republican capital the OZalna and
the other to the secure anchorage by the coral Keys
OF Levantado, IN sixty days the first American flag
unfurled In the Antilles would wave Ir0m the east
ern peaks OF the Cibao.
GEOGRAPHY AND STRATEGY.
reference to general map Of the chain Of
islands separating !he Gulf OF Mexico from the Ca.
rbbean Sea will at once suggest tile Importance Of
the geographical position or the Island OF sc. DO.
ming0 IN the Antilles with relation to ts value as q
strategic pont either In naval or commercial opera
tions 1t stands between the two principal Spanish
possessions in America-Caba and Porto kicO-and
controls the English Island OF Jamaica aud the
Windward Islands TO the eastward. Samana Bay
and Peninsula, as an easily accessible and commo-
dious station on the Island OF St.Domingo Is GER
tainly the central point at which all the advantages
oil position IN the tropical regions are to be real
lzed Its contguity to the United States and other
points Of significance may be judged by the follow
ing tab,e OF distances
Mics.
From Samana to New York. 900
From Sanlana TO Porto Rico western endl. l..., 80
From Samana to Turks Island .............. 165
From Samana to PE1rro Plata, Sc. Domingo. ITO
From SANTANA to Island Of Saona. na.............. 100
From Samana to ST. Domingo cty........... 240
From Samanl to the Spanish Main. 600
From Samana to Aspinwall all................., 1000
From Samana to Key West, Fla. ............. 500
From northwest end OF st. Domingo Island to
Supd.s ...>..~.................. oV
II viii be seen that steamers stationed IN the bay
would nave convenient access to all the BurrO Ounding
islands and coasts, ana for purposes OF trade as