Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-04-13


The Commissioners believe that the statement
published, as given includes all the indebtedness
or obligations for which the Dominican Republic
is in any degree liable as well that which it con-
siders valid and binding that which it regards
unfounded, or overstated by the claimants.
Throughout the inquiry it was urged upon the Do
ist, of whatever character should be exhibited to
the Commission, whose object not to deter
mine the precise amount that was justly due and
binding, but to get at the bottom and find the ut
most limit of tleif obligations, setting forth every
thing for which the government could, under any
circumstances, be made liable. The above account
contains much that the dominican Government
believes to be partly or wholly groundless, and
some which, upon inspection, will appear ques-
| tionable. Among pending claims is one upon
President Baez for destruction of property. 1t is
alleged by the claimant that the Spanish Govern
ment recognized the claim valid, and or
dered an examination to fix the
amount; but the Commission cannot understand
| how this claim could be valid against the Do
minican Government. question has been raised
| in our country whether the government and peo-
| pie of the Dominican Republic, having once been
under the rule of the Haytiens, might not be liable
| for portion of the indemnity eXacted by France
from Hayti for the estates of French families
which he'd been cCnfstated by the Haytiens during
| inquiries the subject of the Dominican Govern
ment, also in Hayti and they could not learn that
the Haytien Government had ever made this claim
| upon the Dominican Republic, and they think that
| II made it would be wholly without foundation
The Commissioners were informed by the Dcmini-
can authorities that the present administration OF
| the government has not had diplomatic represen-
tatives, or made treaties or engagements with any
other government except the United States. An
| examination of the treaties made during the pre-.
vious history of the republic with France, Great
| Britain, and other powers will be found In Elk.
Doe. II, Forty-frst Congress, second session
| They are mostly treaties of navigation and com
merce, and contain no unusual provision requiring
The extent of undsputed Dominican territory i,
22,212 square miles; the portion which had beer
formerly involved In the dispute with Hayti being
| 1000 square miles.
| THE an A,rs ro
| The Commissioners were not unmindful of the
various rumors which had been circulated OF
| divers occasions, that concessions grants oi
land were made to officials of the Government OF
the United States when the treaty of annexation
was negotiated in 1869 No pains were spared to
addition to the examination of all grants from tht
government of the republic, the Commissioner
further carried their researches to all muncipa
grants by the town of SANTANA, where rumor ha(
located the supposed grants. The officers of tn,
municipality and the records were carefully ex
amined. Inquiries were also made of the author
tiles of the city of San Domingo. After this in
vestigation the Commissioners can declare, with
out hesitation, that there is no particle of evidence
for these charges.
WILLING TO BE ANNEXED.
The Dominicans repeat their willingness to b,
annexed ON the terms of the treaty of 1862 ask
ing, in addition, payment for rent Of Samana Ba,
during the two years the negotiations have beer
pending. They are also willing to appropriat,
fifth of the public funds for schools, providing
the United States will appropriate $500 900 for th
establishment of an agricultural and scientific
cOllege. In relation to Dominican independence
the Commissioners say there is but one chanc,
Tor that republic ever to secure its indepen
dence; to become, after a proper period of pro
baton, one of union of States, the freedom
and substantial dependence of each being guar
anteed by the strength of all. 1t is beyond tn
province of the Commissioners, under the resolu
ton of Congress, to recommend that such cours
be adopted or abstained from They simply stat
as their belief. founded upon the observation
they could make, and of the facts they could learn
that this is the only way in which Dominican indie
pendence can be secured, and that if il should b
judged best not to adopt that course, even tn
present shadow of independence will be takel
away. The Dominican territory is one of tn
finest and richest on the earth. Unless some sue
means as those above mentioned are resorted to
it to lie exhausted and helpless until some stron
nation shall seize and hold it in colonial subieC
ton.
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
The commercial relations of the Dominican par
of the island present one indication not to b
passed without mention. The most importan
commerce of the island by far, the tobacco trade
is carried on mainly by Germans, and is with tn
principle seaport of the new German Empire. T.
such an extent has this tendency developed itsel
that this trade is rapidly becoming a Gerlna
monopoly. The Commissioners found the mum
Der of German subjects in important bushes
operations and agencies on the north of the islam
to exceed those of any other foreign power, an
their influence is extending steadily up into tn
central districts.
| SLAVERY THE QUESTION.
The influence which San Domingo, under stabl