Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-02-22

The correspondents with the Commissioners
20 San Domingo. serd very fun reports of the
trip thus tar to their respective papers. From
this n ass Of correspondence giving the various
views OF writer's of all political competitions, a
% pretty impartial idea may be obtained OF the
condition Of things in San Domingo 50 Ear a.
ascertained. The evidence thus obtained re-
flutes very positively, the allegations mate by
Senator Sumner in his heated opposition to the
acquisition of San Domingo. Baez, the DOmini-
can President, seems to be able to establish
quite cOnclusively, that his government is not
one OF force. IL has the popular confidence a.
SHOWN in the fact that it has no army, and that
IL exists now year after it had proposed union
with the United States.
IL does not appear that our naval force has
exercised any pressure on the people of San
Domingo. Its presence there was simply to
oblige Hsyti to respect the sovereignty of San
Domingo. Baez denies that Csbral has the
influence attached to him by Mr. Sumner. and
shows that he is only robber chief in the in
terest Of Hsyti. IL is positively denied that
there IL any treaty between the Dominic an Re-
public and Hsyti, and much less that there is
one restricting the alienation of Dominican
soil. Baez thinks IL surprising that Senate
Sumner should denounce him for seeking annex
alton when that Senator expressly opened Il.
sa'fctt " tNc uHNcIuttcN o. OCnINl 70 MIN in
America four years ago" The sum with which
the dominican Republic can pay all its debts is
fixed At a million and half OF dollars.
Baez shows q disposition to have his asser-
lions fairly tested, and offers to accord safe
conduct to Csbral or any other in his behalf, in
order I'd at the commissioners NAV have an Cd
portunity TO hear both sides.
For one thing, the investigations OF the
Commission have thoroughly and effectuaI-
" disposed of the story put out by the Cd
ponents Of annexation, that American OH GERS
speculated in Samsna lands while they vera
negoti sting a treaty. The commissioners
examined the land titles and transfers At
Ssmspa Bay, and found that no transfer
OF government or municipal lands have
been made since the treaty, and none to Anne
Ticans at any time except to two or three
named, on leases of doubtful tenure, or for a
short term.
Upon this point the statement of Mr.. Hurl-
but, the accomplished correspondent OF the |
New York World. and whose letters are the |
most discriminating that have appeared. is |
quite conclusive as coming from a democrats |
source. He says:
''The registration of land titles ia much more
complete than had expected to fnd it, AMI an
much Of the best land in and about Samsna IL
held by private Persons that the Dominican
government, even with the worst intentions |
could not well have bestowed any great amount |
of u upOn President Grant or Genera al Bab,ock
The only large American lessees We found was
a certain Mr. BUR- Of Maine, who holds an es-
tate OF about one million acres, which he CuIti- |
Yates "a private proprietor, and MeSsrs |
Ea5CBS and O'Sullivan, who hold considerable
extent OF water front az the be Al OF ths bay the
former as agent of the San Domingo SteaulsLip |
Company, and the latter, understood as the |
representative Of an English railway compauy
Z can speak positively of the great pains taken |
botl by President White and Dr. Howe to get |
Al the truth of these points. and Certainly
spared no effort myself To disiDter it. do not |
think IL possible that there should have been
much provision" made by Baez for the Ameri-
car supporters Of annexation at SANTANA BsyD
The same state of affairs exists at Sap
Domingo City, where the Baez government
eDIhaucslly deny that any cession OF lands. |
any lesSe, or any advantages or special priyi |
leges whatever, had been granted TO any person
whatever in the United States or elsewhere.
The Commissioners found in Baez a frank
Intelligent man, ready to impsrt information
and TO further the examination in any way
The Commissioners, on their part. seem deter
mined TO make searching impartial inyesti-
COTTON, and their report will be recei we'd by the
country with confidence. Thus far the inquiry
has served to fully vindicate the Administration
against the bitter and discreditable assertions
cast upon II by the opponents of annexation. |