The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-24
SPIRIT OF Tzu PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
sANTo DOMINGO.

bANTO DOMlNGO.
From the ~ Y. World.
The price can hardly be considered more than
nominal one, and the consent OF the DOmnlcans to
annexation has been freely and heartily accorded.
II the bargain has been straightforward aud
abOveboard and v the price be not eNorbitant, let
the Senate act declsivey.N y. Times.
To say that the acquisition of a harbor in
the bay and peninsula of Samana is sufficient
to warrant the Senate in ratifying the Grant
Baez treaty is to talk plausibly, if not wisely.
But it is foolshness to urge the price or the
consent of the Dominicans as reason. AS
to price, we have already paid lot OF mill
tary articles, together with some $150,000 in
gold coin, and are to pay 81, SOC, 600 in addi-
tion, and assume oil the indebtedness of our
acquisition. AS to the amount of the indebt-
edness, there is no evidence upon which
jury could come to an opinion. Whether 1t
be six or eighteen millions the Times cannot
with certainty say. We have seen as much
testimony that it is the larger as the smaller
sum. AS to the consent of the Dominicans
expressed by votes, we cannot understand
how a sensible and upright person, who ap-
preciates the brutal ignorance of that popula-
tion, can place any reliance whatever upon it.
If we must have naval depot in Samana,
that may be q substantial justification for the
formality of a treaty with Baez to get it,
relying upon our ability, when obtained, TO
else. But is such depot, in such a spot,
worth what we will probably have to pay if
this treaty is ratified? Does any one pre-
tend to vindlcate the negotiation on that
basis
We have seen statements that President
Grant has said to the Senate committee that
if we did not now take San Domingo some
European nation would. Poor simpleton
England France, and Spain have all 'been
md boya Iacira 10 in No
wish, before the Senate acts in this treaty, it
would procure through Sickles in Madrid
history of the experience of Spain in that
island from 1861 to 1865. Perhaps Mr.. Lopez
Roberts, the Spanish Minister in Washing
ton, would enlighten Senators on that topic.
The desire on the part of Dominicans for the
presence of Spain in 1861 was outwardly
quite as marked and sincere as now for the
United States, and yet before three years the
natives had organized system of assassina-
ton Of Spanish officers, and IN 1865 Spain
abandoned the island in disgust.
AS to the straig ghtforwardness of the bar
gain, we have no more information than as
to the character of the influences by which
Grant was induced to write his letter of Sep
tember to Boutwell,, in advocacy of Corbin s
crop theory, in which he advised to sell no
more gold. Grant vindicates the San Do
mingo treaty Just as thoroughly as he did the
gOiu lu6OrleS Ol 1Oulu, anu OOrUlH
That there was 'big steal in the latter no
one now doubts, and we are Just as clear that
there is bigger job Of plunder in the pend
ing treaty. AS the gold-plot letter of Sep
tember was inspired by Gould and Corbin,
and got up by Grant and his personal entour-
age, outside the legitimate influences of the
Treasury Department, so the San Domingo
scheme was Matched by Fabens and O'Sulli-
van, adopted by Grant, executed by General
Babcock and one or two army quartermas-
ters without the initiation, scrutiny, and
complete superintendent Of the Department
of State and its traditions, as is usual in such
affairs. This gives to the whole San Domingo
business flavor of iniquity. Grant may be
sincere and honest, but can the country trust
his Judgment? Has he not blundered too
often Reflect upon Washburne; the igno-
rance of law in the A. Il. Stewart fiasco; the
disgraceful Cuban diplomacy the gold plot
and Corbins influence and many other like
things.
Is il not significant and startling that the
country has not had from the Secretary OF
State either personal, as distinct from official
approval of the treaty, or a statement of wha
he knows the entire indebtedness of San Do
mingo to be, together with the character anC
amount of special monopolies granted by
Baez to Fabens and others, which will be per
petual liens upon the property? The men O
large capital in this country would be graft
fed to hear from \ s. Fish in this matter
before plunging into the unknown sea t.
which the treaty invites; for, whatever ma,
be his political defects as a statesman, he i
known to be sagacious in business, conserva
tive and careful of property interests. An
it is the commercial and money aspect of thi
treaty which most concerns New York.