Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-12

fisheries Of the island, which were once flourish
ing, have lately fallen into neglect, though great
schools Of funny fish are still abundant on the
southern shore, Black fish are found on the
northern shore, and every year some are caught
and tried for oil Turtle and several varieties Of
shell fish are taken in moderate quantities Small
oysters are very abundant in certain localities
growing attached 60 mangrovo bushes. They are
eitcn hy the natives, but are not 80 palntablc as
the oyster of more northern ATTITUDES.
mEurnrulSfss or THE COUNTRY
San Domingo. according to all the testimony, is
generally a healthy country, especially in the in
terror among the mountains, where white men
labor safely and successfully. The acci matization
Of strangers presents no roater obstacle to immi-
grafton than several of our new States The
eastern portion of the island is constantly swept
by trade winds, and is therefore much more heal
thy than llayt, to which the rayages Of yellow
fever are chiefly confined. The losses OF the Span
ish army from illness were largely due to lack OF
sanitary care and the commissioners are satisfied
that their losses have been largely exaggerated.
The commissioners have given special attention 10
the matter of health, aud, besides information
from other quarters have charged two medical
gentlemen TO report especially upon II. Their
conclusions are that the popular i'd , that the
Dominican territory Is particularly unhealthy,
and that persons visiting it are peculiarly liable
10 yellow fever, is entirely erroneous The aver
age general health and longevity are quite equal
TO- and probably greater than that Of the United
States rs a whole. Immigrants are not liable 10
any more disturbance Of general health in the
process OF acclimatilatiOn than are persons who
puss from the old 10 new States Of the United
States Taking the year through, as much agri-
cultural work can he done without affecting the
health as in our middle and western States and
with greater results. Persons in all circumstances
can here, By selecting their locality, enjoy deli
cous climate and abundance of fruit, with far less
liability 10 diseases of the lungs. scarlet feyers
and other fearful epidemics and without any LA
bility to yellow fever. The steamer Nantasket,
with It's full complement Of officers and seamen,
has been in the harbors OF the island about fifteen
months aud has not had single case Of yellow
fever.
METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA
Earthquakes have done no serious damage On
the island since 1916 and, although slight shocks
occur almost every year, they are so inc0nsider-
able that scarcely one in a dozen Of the inhabi-
tants is aware OF IL. Hurricanes are not nlre.
quont, sometimes attended with considerable
damage.
SANTANA BAY As a NAVAL STATION
The island has several rivers which are uayigl-
bic for a short distance into the interior, while
three great bays-Simana, Cocoa and MOnnyllla,
admit vessels Of the largest draft, though only
the first has any importance in military point Of
view. The commissioners state that the advan-
tagcs of the acquisition Of Samana bay would be
q powerful military and naval station and, doubt
less, the ultimate growth Of an important city,
the portion Of the water front which has nlread y
been acquired By citizens Of the United States
being but a small part Of what would be- occupied
by the site Of a great commercial city. Inland
communication, by water and rail, would b. easy,
and the future Of SANTANA bay. under the author.
ity Of the United States, could not fail 10 be Of
national Importance.
pEnT AND FINANCES.
The commissioners made thorough and care
tul examination Of the debt of San Domingo. and
find the sum total Of all debts and outstanding
claims against the republic to be s. 500 ,s3l The
receipts Of the government for 1870 were SIP r.
$50 Of which SIPS Cos was from customs and
1906 from taxes. The commissioners lay great
stress their Efforts to get at the exct state Of
tle debt OF the Dominican republic and believe
that their conclusions are substantially correct
san Domingo is not believed % be liable 10 pay
any portion u the indemnity exacted by France
from llayti, and the commission were assured
that no obligations Or negotiations have been en-
tered into with any country except the United
states. The extent Of undisputed territory is
q, zig square miles, the portion which has been
formerly involved in dispute with llayt being
about 1000 square miles.
THE CHARGES o. Jons.
The commission present tull statement of all
grants and concessions Of public lands and
franchise, and declared that, after the most
searching and complete investigation, they were
unable 10 find any such grant or concession ia
any form to any United States official either in
connection with the negotiation or preparation Of
the treaty
DoMlNICA's NEED Of ANNEXATION
The Dominicans repeat their willingness 10 be
annexed on the terms Of the treaty Of 1863 ask
ing, in addition, the payment Of rent for samana
bay during the two years that negotiations have
been pending. They are also willing to appIopri-
ate 0ne-hth OF the public lands for schools, pro-
yided the United States will appropriate $500 q.
900 Tor the establishment Of an agricultural and
scientific college. The commissioners, in the con-
Guiding portion Of the report, show that Domini
can independence has been and probably never
will be a fact aud say that the only chance for
the republic 10 recover its independence is 10 be
come, after proper period, one OF the United
States, the freedom and substantial Independence
OF each being guaranteed by the strength Of all.
Il is beyond the province Of the commissioners
under the resolution OF Congress 10 recommend
that such course be adopted or abstainel from
They simply state their belief, founded on the
observations they could make and all the facts
they could learn, that this is the only way in
which Dominican Independence can De secured
and that, If il be judged best not 10 adopt that
course, even the present shadow Of independence
will be taken away To show the commercial
Importance OF annexation the commissioners men
ton only the tobacco trade Of the island, which is
rapidly becoming monopoly Of the German EN-
pirc. Under a stable government San Domingo
might be developed into powerful state, which
by the laws OF trade would make slave labor IN
the neighborng islands improbable, and, by the
spread oi is ideas, the whole caste system 0dious.
CONCLUSION.
The commissioners conclude their report by a
brlet alluson 70 their untruitul visit to the CAPT.
tai OF haytl in search Of information, and the
expression OF confident opinion that the annexa-
ton Of San Domingo TO the United States would
be OF scarcely less benefit to the lIaytian than to
the Dominican people.