The New York herald., 1869-03-09
ST. DOMINGO.


Tho Annexation Scheme i'm ~. Domingo
Views Of President Baez and His Cabinet
Complications I'm Politics-Aita Vela and
samana-CroDs and Trade.
Sr DOMINGO, Feb. 20, 1869.
The "Banks ana Butler idea" as President Baez
names II, Is by no means considered dead. ut only
sleepeth Hercules In his cradle, to wake In growth
and strength said one OF the heads-onc OF the
most Iyominent heads-of the Dominican Church, in
tone OF entire and exemplary submission To
the manifest destiny indicated by Providence, as he
called the attention OF of the ministers Of State
to certain articles in the NEW YORK HERALD.
Partly from accident and partly from design
yo1r correspondent l.s been present at SOME
lively discussions upon the VIII, the power and the
probable action OF the New York press on the West
India policy OF the Grant Cabinet.
President Baez lays great stress on the three
axiomsn which, he says. the HERALD laid down at
the time the Banks and Butler idea was 1rst moved
IN Congress- and he firmly believes that they are
also the accepted views OF President Grant that he
has instructed Minister Fabens to confer with the In
coming Secretary OF State at as early day as
possible on the subject, ana he VIII be directed
10 take Gt occasion manlfes: TO President Grant
personally, and without the slightest reserve,
the actual situation OF the Dominican
republic, and to solicit the cooperation Of
a free and neutral centre OF commerce IN the An
titles. This may be relied upon as exact and an
hentic In point Of fact it Is aud letter the
translation OF Mr.. Fabens last Official Instructions
and the French Italian and Danish Consuls had this
knowledge impaired to them--if nor officially at
least dlstnctly-from the lips Of the Dominican See
retary Of State IL was in the course or long con-
versaton respecting various incorrect reports OF
voluilonary movements under the 0gandos, Mark
Adon and Luperon, which mad never had existence,
and from that N. Landais slid adroltly to
the contradictory statements about the sale
Of samana to various parties. "None OF you, Mes
sieurs les Consus, believe that there any question
OF dlsmembering the rcpuniic". said the Minister
with some warmth; "and it is scarcely secret from
any Of you that liberal propositions have been made
TO us TO declare Samana free and neutral port.
Such q measure should command the sympathies Of
Consul. but Just then, one OF the other ministers
came - ~ , ana the me ga 0roSe &c into Mo grGap
HERALD was rather notly discussed. This was in
the sai1 Of the Executive palace in which all the
Ministers have their private Oices and with only the
anteroom between us aud the apartment in which
President Baez holds his trfweeky Cabinet councils
tai advisers met the subject proves that il las Been
thoroughly considered. But now to the statement
Of three axoms for the Antilles" as understood
use subteriuge In our dealings with those around
MS. Second-lt u an undoubtcd truth that we re-
Guire good port In the West Indies. Thrd--That
Congress should openly, honorably and without de-
Lay take action TO tins end.
The last axiom OF Congressional action. as Baez
understands It, may be easily and instantly accom-
plisncd by Congress authorizing the President to
treat for the permanent usetof the Mcclellan site
ment OF regular and direct mail communications
with all the great Antiles-Porto Rico Hayti, Cuba
the press-the fourth estate OF all free nationstakes
up the question these islands Will become rich and
ceiving benefits IN mutual good VIII with ali other
nations; but until the fourth estate turns It's atten
tion this way nothing viii be done.n
Unfortunately the fourth estate OF republics Is "A
much involved in party warfare as the executive
and legislative branches and II shares with the ju-
dciary the censure OF allowing the ermine Of Impair
tia Justice to be stained with persona views and
partisan preudices.
At tho very last hour after the steamer that was to
take Mr.. Harmont and his loan documents to st.
ThomGs route for Europe, ready to start on,
the Dominican governments declined delivering to
and perfected to the last seal and signature.
One reason Tor this abrupt termination Of the rtish
veia, which leo to the withdrawal OF the British
| nrm of Lawson q Son. They would only take the
| Dominican bonds on that security or Samana. The
later tins government would not concede, and Alta
Vela not the rich and clean affair required by
the English frm Besides that the French company
| British party refused to advance beyond certain
sum without better hold on samana, and At thus
hitch the business was suddenly suspended aud
the field left free TO France aud New YORK.
Mr.. Smitli, the United States Commercial Agent,
has had warm time OF it over the subject OF grant
ing rights TO other than the Americans who hold
Alta vela under the Delgado-Webster charter. This
has still eight years to but 1t is stated the
charter az 4 sole and exclusive right and the gov
crnmcnt says IL is free TO concede to whom It viii
equal rights aud the reyersion Of all rights when the
Delgado-WeUster privilege shall expire by express
Limitation. On this ground it = acting with the
French company.
with the Pope, OF much more serious dimensions
than his little iare-up with the United States COM
mercial Agent. lie has allowed the Governor Of
Santiago to dismiss and exile Father Pnelli, man
OF uastaned character, upon vague suspicion OF
political dsaffection. and IN like manner . venerable
| priest, named Gutierrez, was ordered out Of his
parish and the country Tor partisan reasons. Baez
says he Is personally opposed to these political per-
secuons but he did not interfere TO arrest them, and
| they may end In q Papal interdlcL The ''cock-
fighting PADRES are violently opposed TO discipline;
a ne q s r
bring this ecclesiastical Imoroglio TO focus for
| speedy disentangiement. Baez VIII then have It In
and state which he Is believed TO ann at accomplish
ing.
been reported IN the field at the head OF Dominican
revolutions at least dozen times whsie not o
es re ss AZ last wos An tas oas
nnited their means to buy an old blockade runner
ut 81. Thomas TO take forty men and some arms to
Haytl. Their object IL 10 unite with the Cacos and
| make q combined descent on the Domini-
| can territory. The Governor OF 81. Thomas
| arrested tine steamer and made all the
parties concerned in her cnarter give
bonds that she was not 10 be used against the actual
| governments OF hayt the dominican republic.
| Adon and Luperon evidently mean mischief; but
whether they wlll be able 10 ciecS much Is very
doubtful question No one here seems naif a. afraid
of these remote chances OF invasion they are
short crop. The severe, long continued rains
have damaged the coffee crop considerably, ana the
sugar yield IL falling below the general calculation.
Tobacco however, IL certainly OF ne quahty and in
creased quantity; but this, Ike the finest woods Is
for the European trade. The weather IL becoming
settled. though we have had two or three light rams
thts week.