Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-12-08

each claimant would be required to
prove his case. On the other hand.
Spain would be at liberty to traverse
every material fact, and thus COM
plete equity would be done.
SUCCESSFUL ARBITRATION.
A case which at one time threaten
ed seriously to affect the relations
between the United States and Spain
has already been disposed of in this
way. The claim of Col. Lloyd As
pinwall, for the illegal seizure and
detention of his vessel, was referred
to arbitration by mutual consent,
and has resulted in an award to the
United States for the owner of the
same ofnineteen thousand seven hun
dred and two dollars and fifty cents
in gold. Another and long pending
claim of like nature-that Of the
whale-ship Canada-has been dis
posed of by friendly arbitration du-
ring the present year. 1t was refer
red, by joint consent of Brazil and
the United States, to the decision of
Sir Edward Thornton, Her Britain
mic Majesty's minister at Washing
ton, who kindly undertook the labo-
rious task of examining the volu-
minous mass of correspondence and
testimony submitted by the two gov
ernments, and allowed to the United
States the sum of one hundred thou
sand seven hundred and forty dollars
and nine cents in gold, woich has
since been paid by the Imperial Gov
ernment, These recent examples
show that the mode which the Uni
ted States have proposed to Spain
for adjusting the pending claims is
just and feasible, and that it may be
agreed to by either nation without
dishonor. 1t is to be hoped that
this moderate demand may be acce-
ded to by Spain without further de-
lay. Should the pending negotia-
tions unfortunately and unexpect-
edly be without result, it will then
become my duty to communicate
that fact to Congress and invite its
action on the subject.
THE PEACE CONFERENCES
The long deferred peace confer
ence between Spain and the allied
South American Republics has been
inaugurated in Washington under
the auspices Of the United States.
Pansuant to the recommendation
contained in the resolution of the
House or Representatives ofthe 18th
of December, 1866, the Executive
Department ofthe Government offer
ed its friendly offices for the promo
ton of peace and harmony between
Spain and the allied Republics.
Hesitations and obstacles occurred
to the acceptance of the offer.
Ultimately, however, a conference
was arranged, and was opened in
this city on the 29th of October last,
at which authorized the Secretary
of State to preside. 1t was attended
by the Ministers of Spain, Peru,
Chill, and Ecuador. In consequence
of the absence of a representative
from Bolivia, the conference was adj
journed until the attendance of a
plenipotentiary from that Republic
could be secured, or other measures
could be adopted towards compass
ing its object. The allied and other
Republics of Spanish origin on this
continent may see in this fact a new
proof of our sincere interest in their
welfare, our desire to see them bless
ed with good governments, capable
of maintaining order and preserving
their respective territorial integrity,
and of our sincere wish to extend
our own commercial and social rela-
tions with them. The time is not
probably far distant when in the
natural course of events the Europe
an political connection with this
connection will cease. Our policy
should be shaped in view of this
probability, SO as to ally the com
mercial interests of the Spanish
American States more closely to our
own, and thus give the United States
all the prominence and all the advan-
tage which Mr.. Monroe, Mr.. Adams
and Clay contemplated when they
proposed to join to the Congress of
Panama.
THE ANNEXATION OF SAN DOMINGO.
During the last session of Con-
gress treaty for the annexation OF
the Republic of San Domingo to
the United States failed to receive
the requisite two-thirds vote Of the
Senate. 1 was thoroughly convinc-
ed then that the best interests of
the country, commercially and ma
terially, demanded its ratification.
Time has only confirmed me in this
view, 1 now firmly believe that the
moment it is known that the United
States have entirely abandoned the
subject of accepting as part of its
territory the island of San Domingo,
free port will be negotiated for by
European nations. In the Bay of
SANTANA large commercial city will
spring up, to which we will be trib-
butary without receiving correspon-
ding benefits. The Government of
San Domingo has voluntarily sought
this annexation, 1t is a weak
power, numbering probably less
than one hundred and twenty thou
sand souls, and yet possessing one
of the richest localities under the
sun, capable of supporting popu-
lation of 100000 of people in
luxury. The people of San Do
mingo are not capable of maintain
ing themselves in their present con-
dition, and must look for outside
support. They yearn for the pro-
lection of our free institutions and
laws, our progress and civilization.
Shall we refuse them? The acquisi-
sition of San Domingo is desirable
because of its geographical position.
1t commands the entrance to the
Caribbean Sea and the isthmus
transit of commerce. 1t possesses
the richest soil, best and most capa-
cious harbers, most salubrious eli
mate, and the most valuable pro-
ducts of the forest, mine and soil of
any of the West India islands. Its
possession by the United States will
in few years build up coast
raise commerce of immense magni-