Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-13
ANNExAT1oN or ST. DOMINGO.


The Cuban instruction has not adj
vanced the interests of the United States
in the West India Islands, as many hoped
it might, but while the rebellion has been
waxing and waning President Grant has
been pushing his fortunes in another di-
rection, and now asks the Senate to ratify
treaty for the annexation of ST. Domin-
60. If we cannot have Cuba, here at
least is chance to annex n sister island
and obtain a foothold in the Indies. The
work of preparation has been done quietly,
the drum, and we can have the property
bv paving small sum for it. 1t is said
that it will be very important possession
for us in IA naval point of view, and be-
sides it may be step that will promote
the annexation of other territory in the
same quarter, to which there can be no
objection. @t~@
The sum to be paid is Sl,500,0 900. This
money is to be devoted to the payment of
the debts of the Republic of st. Domingo
and the redemption of its currency. If
the debts of St. Domingo amount to more
than the sum to be paid by us. the public
lands are pledged to secure the excess.
Commissioners to be appointed by each
of the contracting parties will attend to
the liquidation of the debts. In consider
alton of the discharge of the obligations
St. Domingo cedes to the United States
all forts, docks, custom houses and all
other public buildings, arsenals &c, and
complete jurisdiction over the territory.
This treaty is to be valid when ratified by
the United States Senate and confirmed
by vote of the majority of the citizens
of St. Domingo.
There are some fearful tales abroad al
ready about the debts of the Republic,
which may or may not be true, but it Is
very likely that the truth has been searched
out by our agents before this. Then it is
said the people are black and crowd down
the whites, and to take this colored peo-
pie into our "white mans government is
not becoming nor best, even ii they do
wish to be annexed. Furthermore it is
reported that while the island may make
very fair naval station, it is not great
bargain when considered with respect to
its value in products. 1t has always been
found an easy matter to raise objections
to the acquisition of territory. When We
acquired Louisiana, which no money nor
force could now tempt or drive US to part
with, it was represented as worthless
tract of land, that never would be needed
by the government and had better be left
to the savages and buffaloes that occupied
it. st. Domingo may not be paradise,
but it has value in it for us OF large i'm
portance, some even estimating it as high
as Cuba, which must be an exaggeration.
1t is the larger part of the island once
called Hispaniola, but now known as San
Domingo or Hayti. The western part of
the island was coded by Spain to France
in 1897, and is known as the black repub-
lie of Hayti. The eastern portion OF San
Domingo was originally keld by Spain,
then lost and regained. TWAS reannexed
in 1861, but in 1868 an instruction broke
out, which resulted in driving the Span
iards from the island and the establish
ment of the Dominican Republic in 1865.
Since 1867 Buenaventura Baez has been
its President, and it is with him that the
present treaty is negotiated. The people
are mostly whites and mulattoes. The ne
gotations on our part were conducted by
General Babcock, who after acquainting
himself with the affairs of the island and
the wishes of its people, succeeded in
bringing about the present treaty. Baez
desired to come into the United States as
a State, but consented at last to come in
as territory The sum of $3.50, 900 was
advanced him and some war material for
which our government took a lease OF
the Bay of SANTANA. The bonded debt OF
the republic is said to be 81 200, 900, which
is to be liquidated by the purchase money
received from us. There are reports OF
/
is said to be the principal ar, a gigantic
swindle, but this bonded debt before
mentioned is all of which our government
has knowledge or is bound to pay. 1t
remains for the United States Senate to
ratify and the people of San Domingo to
confirm the treaty to give us this foothold
II, tho Wast Ju1iaS
The policy of the administration acccrds
fully we have no doubt with the general
sentiment of our people in favor of ac'
quiring the West Indies when it may hon
orably and prudently be done This is
the first step in that direction. How soon
it may be followed by others viii depend
upon circumstances. The Queen of the
Antilles is longing to be united with us
nothing but the hand of foreign violence
prevents the contamination, and that only
keeps its grasp at a cost which is ruinous
to the oppressor. ..