Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-09

,..-.-.A u G. U 3 Il A.
Wednesday Morning, March o, 1870.
SAN DOMINGO.

The republic of San Domingo has voted
by an overwhelming majority in favor OF
annexation to the United States. The
vote was provided for by the authorities
of the republic in order to set at rest all
doubt about the sentiment of the people in
regard to SO important measure. 1t was
reported that there would be powerful
opposition, but at the test there appears to
have been but little The main features
of the treaty now pending in the Senate
of the United States upon the annexation
of San Domingo are as follows
~. The United States stipulate to pay the
sum of 81, 500, 600.
"2. This money is to be devoted to the IL
quidatisn of all the obligations of the Repub-
lie of San Domingo, including the redemption
of its currency, which is represented to be of
a comparatively small amount.
''3. In case the obligations to be assumed
by the United States shall exceed the before
mentioned sum of 81 500, 600, the public lands
of San Domingo are pledged as security for
the excess.
~. The liquidation of the obligations is to
be intrusted to commissioners, who are to be
appointed by each of the contracting parties.
''5. In consideration of a discharge Of these
obligations, San Domingo cedes to the United
States all forts, docks, custom-houses and
other public buildings, arsenals, &C., and
complete jurisdiction over the territory.
sc. San Domingo is to be annexed or ac-
quired as a territory, and not as a State, and
subject to the legislation of Congress in the
same manner as territories of the United
States.
81. The treaty is to be valid to all intents
and purposes when ratified by the Senate of
the United States and confirmed by vote OF
the majority of the citizens of San Domingo
There is nothing now necessary to rem
der the anne xation of the republic COM
plete but the ratification of the treaty by
the Senate. 1t will be recollected that the
first movement publicly known for making
any acquisition in this quarter was that to
purchase the bay Of SANTANA for naval
station, which is said to be one Of the best
harbors in the world, and is Il part of the
Dominican coast. We shall have to pay
but little more for the whole Dominican
republic than this naval station would
have cost us. The chief opposition to
annexation has come from the Spanish
and their partizans, who endeavored to
obtain the mastery of the republic, but
were obliged after sharp struggle to give
up the attempt. The city of San Domin-
go is the capital 1t was founded IN 1904,
and contains population of about $4,000.
The whole island contains twenty-nine
thousand square miles, two-thirds of
which are in San Domingo. There are
mountain ranges, three important rivers,
and smaller streams in sufficient number
to water it all. The soil is fertile and
adapted to the cultivation of sugar and
coffee. Its greatest value to us, however,
is the commanding position which it will
afford us in naval point Of view 1t GER
tainly appears desirable acquisition, and
in the excellent condition of our finances
there can be little objection to making
the necessary expenditure to secure it.