The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-11
SAN DOMINGO.


ton to the Boston 1dO6fttSeT connected and
coherent account of the Presidents views
concerning the San Domingo treaty, as fol-
lows:-
He says that the Dominican authorities
made the first proposals, and pressed annexa-
ton on him before he had looked into the
matter, or formed any opinion as to the expe-
diency or feasibility of the project He
finally sent confidential messengers down
there to make secret examination into the
situation of affairs, and inspect the resources
and capabilities of the island, the civilization
of the people, the character of the Govern
ment, the kind and amount of debt, and
everything else of use in forming correct
opinion 1t was not until three messengers
had returned and fully reported the result of
their examination that he consented to listen
to the proposals of the Dominicans. Then
he sent General Babcock down again. and
treaty, as is already known, was negotiated.
The republic owes but s ,500,0 900, which is
the price we agree to pay for annexa-
ton. When asked if he is
certain that the debt is no larger, he replies
that he has the strongest proof of the fact
that this figure covers the whole thing What
claims may be trumped up against San
Domingo he knows not, and cares less, for
the reason that, under the treaty, it is ex-
pressly stipulated that we cannot be held to
their payment. He thinks it likely some
claims may be presented, and says such of
them as are proven good must be paid out of
the public lands of the island He regards
the stories about concealed debt of fifteen
or twenty millions as emanating from foreign
sources, which are jealous, envious, and
secretly opposed to our acquisition of what he
regards as the finest of the West India Islands.
The Dominican Government acknowledges
less than $1,5OO,0O0 indebtedness, and says
there is no evidence in existence that valid
claim of another dollar can be produced
The present population the President est-
mates at less than 200, 600, and he apprehends
no trouble whatever in governing them and
preserving order. The people, he says, point
ing to the result of the recent election, are
nearly all anxious to be taken under the pro-
lection of our flag and laws. They are tired
and sick, be thinks, of faction and civil war
and domestic discord, and gladly hail the pro-
mise OF peace and a stable government They
are drawn 10 US, he adds, by affection aud
sympathy on account of our enfran chisensnt
of the colored race here, and repose implicit
faith and confidence in our professions Of JUS
tice and equal rights. Of the natural ce-
sources Of the island the President spsa;+ in
in glowing terms, saying they cannot we'll bs
exaggerated, and under this head he presents
many figures to sustain his view He is
formed that the soil is very rich, ani pro-
duces all the fruits of tropical latitudes in
great abundance. He believes that IN ten
years after annexation the exports of the
island would exceed in value 800, 600, 900 "a
year. Our people, he argues, would
quickly go down there, open plantations,
attract labor, give employment
to the natives, build railways and telegraphs
lay out towns and villages, and establish lines
of steamships to New York and New Orleans.
Quantities of sugar, coffee, tobacco, AMI other
tropical fruits would be grown and exported,
and our manufacturing and agricultural iute-
rests would thrive thereby. He thinks 1t
would be decided benefit to us to grow
these things on our own soil, instead Of pay.
ing tariff rates on them when imported from
foreign countries. He holds thai the el.
portation of valuable woods and various
minerals from the island would be great,
and that before the end of twenty years the
commerce would equal that of Cuba. 1le
laws of all the West India Islands are ini
mical to the interests of our country, but
once we get foothold down there a shor
time would work important changes, 80 tha
in little while trade would prosper ant
commerce flourish.
He says that looking at the questions in
volved from the standpoint of the Monroe
doctrine, we cannot refuse to receive the
island, now that it is offered to us by the
almost unanimous voice of its Inhabitants
that if we reject their overtures there is dan
ger that they may turn to Great Britain t.
obtain peace and protection, and If they do
we shall have no right to resist interfersnc
by that power. He believes one of the mex
works of the world will be the construction
of the Darien ship canal, thinks our countr
will not be likely TO let any foreign Govern
nent rob US Of the advantages of tina
undertaking, and holds that a static
of our own in the West Indies
essential to the canal project if W
hope to derive from it such benefits as W
should. He also thinks it very importan
from naval and military point of view, t
secure this stronghold in the midst of th
West Indies, and says it would be grei
blunder in craftsmanship to throw away thi
opportunity for getting it on favorable term
Our weak point, he argues, is the Gulf coas
and while he does not anticipate any war, h
thinks we should take the island as an on
post against any possible danger. He SCENE
to convey the idea that in his view we al
some time to have all the West India islan(
under our flag, and added that it would |
folly to reject the best one of the
all when we can get it so advant
geously. He does not say wheth
he will or will not ask an extension of tin
on the treaty. but adheres to the hope til
some step in behalf of annexation may yet
taken by the Senate. He says he has work
hard TO show Senators its advantages, a
expresses the opinion that everybody won
be in favor of it if they clearly understood
the facts as he does. He would doubtlt
heartily approve project to send Congr
sioual commission even a steamer load
Coneressmen down there on a tour of insp
ton, and it is by no means certain that so
such movement as this mny not be propoS
in the Senate by friends Of the treaty bef