The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-10
SHALL ST. DcMIaGO BE- AHgEXED /?
Sir James Walker Governor Of the Be- ,,aiaas.
NNhNv-T-
CounselS Annexation.
Hh nsasens!rhs Rich ASsourcss Of the Island
Avss risla h. Ansrioan Capita. and En-
tsrpriss- PTAsidsnt Grant justified
Senator Summer and the Com
Mimionors Criticised

senatcSz Sumner and the Com
MiHionors Criticised.
rhs 81 Domingo question, with which the present
admin kNuon AaA 20 closely Allied itself, does not
cease ~ OCCUPY the attention OF the American
peorAA Now that Presideas Grant 10 about 10 re-
lip 9011h the annexation scheme on account OF the
nOpsGauon called forth against it, any additional
nauk that may be thrown upon the subject cannot
fsn4to command pubic consideration. Sir James
warner, governor OF the Bahamas, who arrived In
Shls city few days ago on his way 10 England,
mas BEEN known 70 take much interest IN the
So. Domingo question. He has been successfully
governor OF nearly all the British colonies in that
quarter. and mas had ample opportunity 10 make
himself acquainted with the conditioner the West
1ndaa Islands
HIS letter 70 DR.. vinton about tile ST. Domingo
annexation received much attention at The time OF
ITS publcatUn. He took the ground that St. Do
mtngo would be most desirable acquisition to the
United Seafes And as will be seen by the following
ne has sifc then no. changed his opinion.
HERALD reporter yesterday called on Sir James
walker,sWhQr Is temporarily at the Clarendon Hotel
and stated the object OF visit Sir James Walker
Is an oad gentleman Of genial presence and affabie
manners. Yesterday, as he informed the reporter,
l1E sixty -second birthday. long residence In
the tsNpcs has, however, sadly told upon his frame.
He broken In health, ana now returns to his native
cousry in order to repair his shattered constitution
sOn4eis arrival in England he viii resign his ONCE
ana retire into private nfe Sir James felt rather
averse to giving any opinion on the st. Domingo
question. did not feel inclined to go into Details
At first he manifested o rather comlcal dread OF
being interviewed, and felt extremely reluctant to
say anything on the subject Of St. Domingo.
.sYour letter, Sir james, began the reporter,
= which was addressed to DR.. vinton, 'has been
tensvely circulated, and much weight was attached
20 your opinion about the st. Domingo busness.n
Mr.. Archibald, the British Consul, wrote to me
~ the time that great deal OF capital has been
made out OF my letter. did not intend 1t for pub
ncation, for my opinions on this subject are only
those OF an 0utsider.n
'The fact Of your being an outsider, Sir James
gives you Q stronger claim to attention as being
more likely to be fair and unbiased tnan II you
we're more Interested In the subect.n
II have no interest In the matter. except thar
should like 10 see
THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TAKE HOLD OF
and 10 nfuse life and energy into the island, which
IN R nsrs ne
government IN St. Domingo that Is worth speaking
Of the island s prey 70 anarchy and disorder"
Summers latest speech against annexation 2"
u have read It but It is idle TO pay any attention
colored by partisan views He has
STRONG PERSONAL FEELING AGAINST PRESIDENT
GRANT,
and that il the cause OF his strenuous opposition
Isuppose Mr.. Sumner wanted to sever MS connec-
( view. He used this St. Domingo business as wea.
Domingo is by nature the finest island IN the West
Indies ana American enterprise can make second
been In negotiation with Spain about the sale Of
Cuba But why don't the American people take st.
Domingo which they now can have Tor next to
'The natural resources OF this island are greater
than those OF Cuba, ana can, with proper cultiva-
rnE AMERICANS ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN
DO IT.
No ration can rival with them In enterprise"
"Not even the Brtishp'
half as Wen. England = getting sIoinful; her
statesmen a,sa1o. belong to the Manchester school
England rom e other Powers IN mes
hnence in he West indies as the younger genera
Zion oil our people Is no longer inclined to brave the
sucoesu ~ canaaa amy PeoRe
where the climate Is as good as their own England
GET RID OF HER WEST INDIA COLONIES.
fST , now they are only source Of expense 70 ner
say go In and win. Make an end TO the terrible
misrnle which Is at present undermining the re-
sources Of St. Domingo. The Dominicans are sunk
IN soth and ignorance, and American enterprise
and influence must he infused In order utilize the
splendid advantages OF this fine island.n
"rhen you think, Sir James, that President Grants
proposition TO annex St. Domingo has been misrep-
resentedr'
a do certainly believe that your President was
perfectly justified in acting he did. But having
been discouraged all sides he Is about to drop the
matter which consider very unfortunate circum.
stance. think, however, that President Grant
was mistaken when he stated that ST. Domingo
would furnish nome TO 10 coo white Americans or
for white labor: Negroes only can work under the
'ln what respect can the United States, then
utilize the fertile SOL, II there is no opening for
"In many. 1t would be an excellent place for
your surplus negro population. American capital
and enterprise are needed In st. Domingo to direct
the labor OF the negro population. 1t Is an unortu
nate thing for this country that 1t is in great
measure
GOVERNED BY PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS
No sooner had President Grant announced the
proposition TO annex St Domingo than his opponents
adopted the scheme as weapon OF party warfare.
IL IL were the best measure in the world those who
are against the administration would have opposed
II quite as nercey as they do now can but few
drawbacks, and many great advantages to this ac-
QUESTION. In England II any measure is thought 10
be for the good Of the country it not meet with
opposition simply from party motives. But in this
country politics Is profession, and 1 am told, q
money making profession
Have you read the report of the ST. Domingo
"fthnk The Commissioners were lukewarm on
the subject they dld not go with heart into the
business. They have presented
A MILK AND WATER REPORT
: calculated 10 discourage annexation They ought
concede to them Is that they have executed with
toicrable completeness their commissions; but you
car barely say with justice thaJthey have done their
duty. l have heard that they had their little
sIuabbles which deleated the great beet. / cannot
otherwise account for the lack OF enthusiasm on
their part. II the American people knoN their in.
terest they WILL not let the present golden ouportu
nlty slip OF annexing st, Domingo.r
"ls England in any way Interested In the matter?n
Not al all. We have no Interests In 81. Domingo.
We can only desire that the present mlsrue should
Cease, and stable ana responsible government be
established, no matter by whom. Our merchants
might avail themselves OF the prosperous condt
lions which
AMERICAN RULE