New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-05
MR.. SUMMERS sANTo DOMINGO POLICY.
A PROTECTORATE, ITS ADYANTAGES-hR SUM-
NER's INTERVIEW WITH FABENS-A WEST
INDIAN REPUBLIC.
TRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

A PROTECTORATE, ITS ADyANTAGEs-MR. SUM
NER'S INTERVIEW WITH FABENS-A WEST
INDIAN REPUBLIC.
IRON OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 4.-One of the
strongest arguments favor of annexation made by
those who accompanied the santo Domingo Commission
is the utterly helpless and hopeless condition OF the
Government and people Of the Island. They say that
since Gen. BabcOck first visited the Republic the nhaol
tants have hung their hopes annexation and that 10
dsappoint them now would i'll become the dignity OF
great nation like the United states. Mr. Sumner, recog
uzigg the force of this argument While he denies that
the Executive had the right To make any promises 10
Baez and his people has policy to recommend though
in the heat Of his opposition to aDnexation' he mas
seemed to lose sight of 1t, and the country has hardly
heard of at all Admitting the great natural wealth OF
the Island and that the United States owes is good
offices to destitute weak and sadly misrucd people, he
is ready TO extend them the protection OF the GTeat
Republic" making santo Domingo the client OF the
United States, Roman patrcians OF old sometimes
made favorite cities their peculiar care.
The advantages Of protectorae is argued wouldoe
many while It would be open TO the most serious OF
the objections which urged against annexation BY
q reciprocity treaty trade with the Island would dc
opened and American enterprise IN developing the bound
less resources the country wOudbe encouraged whle
the United States would be spared the necessity OF trying
what is considered by many the hazardous experiment
of ottempting to absorb under American institutions
another foreign and perhaps discordant element. The
great expense Of building forts and OF otherwise defend
ing the island would also be avoided aud would not DC
necessary to MAINTAIN then army " CIVIL ocers 10
collect revenue transport mails, &c. santo Domingo
would at the same time It Is said, gain almost all that
she hopes from annexation-a staple Government me-
uaeed neither by rebels at home by enemies from
abroad the development Of her natural resources ana
the revival Of her trade
This policy OF Mr. Sumner Is not new one Win hlm'
lint was announced when annexation first proposed
lE,I.I nn
pending and after 1t was known that hr sumner was
onn,sed TO annexation Fabens, then Envoy E2tfaord'
nary from the Baez Government 70 the United States,
called on the Massachusetts Senator to confer Win MN
on the subject and TO win ibis support OF the measure
MI Sumner assured him that It would be Impossible ior
him to advocate the treaty. and then fabehs proPoscu
that the Senator sit down and write treaty "hch no
could support asserting at the same time that 1t Wouiu
be agreed to by Baez Mr. Sumner was unwilling, now
aver 10 consent 10 anne xaOn any terms, ana gave
FabeDs his reasons. ~ o.,
During the conversation, Mr. Sumner asked taDehs II
he thought that annexation would stop Win banjo Do
mingo.
"oh. now replied the Dominican Envoy 'you must
have Hayti too"
"And is that all 2" continued the Senator
Fabens thought that could not stop with Hay but
must In the nature OF things finally absorb Porto hlco,
Jamaica Cuba, the Windward Islands, and, indeed al Oh
the West Indies. Mr. Sumner then called the attention
of Fabeu 70 the fact that the treaty involved not only
the question Of the annexation Of the little repuohe vi
santo Domingo, but entirely new foreign pocy Ioi
the United He professed his friendship Ior the
people OF the island and his willingness 10 ava them ny
every means in his power but While he doubted 'ha'
Santo Domingo would the end gain by anne1atloh' nc
was sure that the United States would lose
Mr. Sumner believes that the West India Islands are
destined to be the OF the black race In PROOF OF
this he points the fact that in almost every instance
the blacks increased there much more rapidly imam
tbe whites so that OF the islands the white pop
ltion is not more than % per OF the whole, while
Ga many Others it is less than so per cent. Mr. Sumner
also hopes that future day there Will be estaD
uhed in the West Indies great and prosperous repuD-
a., ana deslres that the United States do everything In
ia uoyer TO bring about this desirable end.