Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-12-15

threatened to seriously affect the relations
be. ween the United States and SPAN mas
already been disposed Of in this way. Inc
claim of the Col. Lloyd Aspinwall, Tor the
illegal seizur md detention OF that vessei
was referred to arbitration by mutual con-
sent. and has resulted in an award 10 snc
United States for the owners OF the same
of &f9, 702. so in gold. Another and long
nending claim Of like nature, that OF the
whaleship Canada, has been disposed OF ny
friendly arbitration during the present year
II was referred by the joint consent OF
Rnazil and the United States TO the decision
Of Sir Edward Thornton, her Britanit
Maiesty's Minister at Washington, who
kindly undertook the laborious task OF cx-
aiming the voluminous mass OF cores
pondence and testimony submitted by the
two governments, and awarded to the
United states the sum Of $10O, OO09 in
gold which has since been paid by the i'm
nerial government. These recent examples
show that the mode which the United
States have proposed to Spain Tor ADJUST
ing the pending claims is just and feasible,
and that it may be agreed TO by eithef
nation without dishonor.
tits to be hoped that this moderate demand
NAV be acceded to by Spain without FUR
ther delay. Should the pending negotia
tons unfortunately and unexpectedly be
without result, it will then become my
duty to communicate that fact to Con
gress and invite its action on the subject
SPAIN AND THE SOUTH AMERICAN RE
PITgIICe
The long deferred peace conference be
tween Spain and the allied South Amer
can republics has been inaugurated II
Washington, under the auspices OF the
United States pursuant TO the recon-
mendation contained in the resolution OF
the House of Representatives OF the 18th
Of December, 1869 The Executive De
partment of the Government offered its
friendly offices for the promotion OF peace
and harmony between Spain and the allied
republics. Hesitations and obstacles oc-
CURED to the acceptance Of the offer. VI
timateIy. however, a conference was ar
ranged and was opened in this city on the
2gth Of October last, at which ! authorized
the Secretary Of State TO preside. IT was
attended by the Ministers Of Spain,
Peru, Chill and Ecuador. In conse-
aucnce Of the absence Of rcpresen-
tatiye from Bolivia, the conference was
adjourned until the attendance Of pieni-
potentiary from that republic could be sc.
cured, or other measures could be adopted
toward comprising It's object
The allied and other republics of Span
ish origin on this continent may see in
this fact new proof OF our sincere inter
est in their welfare Of our desire to sec
them blessed with good governments
capable of maintaining order and preserv-
ing their respective territorial integrity,
and Of our sincere wish TO extend our own
commercial and social relations with
them. The time is probably not far dis
tant when, in the course Of natural events,
the European political connection with
this continent will cease. Our policy
should be shaped in view OF this probabil-
ity, so as to ally the commercial interests
OF the Spanish American States more
closely to our own, and thus give the
United States all the prominence and all
the advantage which Mr. Monroe, Mr..
Adams and Mr.. Clay contemplated when
they proposed TO join the Congress of
Panama.
SAN DOMINGO
During the last session of Congress, a
treaty for the annexation of the Republic
Of San Domingo TO the United States
failed 81 10 receive the requisite two.thirds
convinced that the best interests of the
country, commercially and materially, de-
manded its ratification. Time has only
confirmed me in this view. now firmly
believe that the moment it is known that
the United States have entirely abandoned
the project Of accepting as part Of its
territory the island OF San Domingo, a free
port will be negotiated for by European
nations, in the Bay of SANTANA. A large
commercial city will spring up, to which
we will be tributary, without receiving cor
responding benefits. The government OF
San Domingo has voluntarily sought this
annexation. II is weak power, number
ing probably less than one hundred and
twenty thousand souls, and yet possessing
one Of the richest localities under the sun,
capable of supporting population Of TO-.
100000 of people in luxury. The people
of San Domingo are not capable Of main
tanning themselves in their present condi.
ton, and must look for outside support
They yearn for the protection of our free
institutions and laws, our progress and civ
iliMtion. Shall we refuse themg
The acquisition of San Domingo is de-
sirablc because of its geographical position
It commands the entrance to the Carib
can Sea and the Isthmus transit of com
mcrce. 1t possesses the richest soil, the
best and most capacious harbors, the most
salubrious climate, and the most valuable
products of the forest, mine and soil OF
any of the West India Islands. Its pos
session by the United States will in few
years build up a coastwise commerce OF
immense magnitude, which will go far to-
ward restoring to the United States ouI
lost merchant marine. 1t will give to us
those articles wlAaiieelffwc consume greatly
and do not produce, thus equalizing oul
exports and imports. In case of foreign
war, 1t will give us command of all the
islands referred to, and thus prevent an
enemy from again possessing himself of a
rendezvous upon our coast. AT present
our coast trade between the States border