New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-21

project would stretch through term of years,
aud it must he confessed that the array of
matters to be treated was something rather
formidable. But with the admirable organiza-
ton and division of the laboIs of the Commits
sion, to which our correspondents refer, there
is no reason to doubt that the essential facts
required for correct judgment upon the
question of annexation may be obtained
~ % reasonable time Trustworthy and accu-
rate statistics are not often met with among
the scmi-AfIican population Of tropical coun-
tries. The genius Of the people runs rather to
langlid estimates ard averages. 1t is highly
probable that the tour of our conscientious
Commissioners with their corps OF scientific
assistants and their little army of inqilislhvc
journalists, viii result in giving to the Woii"
more extensive and exact information III
regard to the resources and conditions
of the island than has ever been published ny
any of its rapidly succeeding Governments
The method pursued by the Commission Is
altogether praisewOrthy. They do not rely
upon the statements of the Government, nor
upon conversations held with prominent per
sors, whose language might be dictated by
motives of interests. Each one OF the suDOr-
dinates is directed in all his intercourse with
the people to lose no opportunity to ascertain
the individual preference of as large number
as possible, in regard to the political questions
whose decision is soon to exercise so grave an
influence upon their destiny
1t is especially advisable that the Commits
sioners shall carry out their present intentions
TO visit the regions now occupied by the in
surrectionary forces of Cabral, and to confer
freely with the chiefs of that faction III re-
gard to the points at issue between them and
the regular Government at SantO Domingo.
One of the most important elements OF their
inquiry will be to ascertain the causes
and the strength of this revolution
ary movement to decide whether it Is
a genuine revolt of any considerable portion
of the population against the rule OF Pres-
dent Baez, coupled with protest against the
scheme of annexation or whether 1t Is on the
other hand, as charged by the friends OF the
President, a mere mutiny for plumber set on
foot and sustained by the Haytian Govern
mcnt to weaken and finally destroy the
Dominican power. 1t is creditable to Mr.
Baez that he has offered every possible faci-
itv for the prosecution of this inquiry and
with the means of unrestricted communication
with both parties it is impossible that our
Commissioners should fail to arrive at some
definite conclusion in regard to this hitherto
doubtful matter.
This is. in effect, the most important oues-
ton presented to the investigations of our en-
VOWS. DO the people of Santo Domingo desire
annexation to the United Statesf The Opin-
ions or the interested wishes of persons in Off
cial circles are not to be taken as decisive.
There should bc9a substantial majority OF the
country at large-nOt meager or beggarly
plurality, but so effective preponderance OF
public sentiment that we shall be sure we are
not purchasing an insurrectiOn or absorbing
civil war. In regard to the material advant-
ages of the acquisition, and the deSlraDllty
of extending our borders in that direction, we
can form our own opinions with some definite
ness. But in respect to the question OF pubic
feeling III the Island, so dense is the atmoS-
phere of falsehOod and misrepresen-
tation that hangs about the discus
sion of all political questions i'll Spanish
American countries, that it has been impOs-
sjble to form any clear idea of the drift of the
general sentiment. This point we confidently
expect will be made plain by the investiga-
tons of the Commission. Whatever their re-
port may be, we may feel assured that 1t is
made with intelligence and conscience, and
that its results will be adopted with some
approach to unanimity by public opinion. In
the mean while we take pleasure in referring
our readers to the full and graphic letters OF
our special correspondents from Santa Barbara
de SANTANA, and from the City of Santo Do
mingO.