, 1874-04-25

0AA nv ~ L Oh4GO LAC 1A-SE dhJ1 q " -
sertain the relations of the Provisional Govern
ment to their Company. They were informed
that the annual rent of $15Q,O0O was due, and
must be paid. Prior to that time, however, upon
the assumption of power, the Chief of the Provi-
sional Government Gonzales had declared that
the treaty with the SANTANA Bay Company was
null and void, and while at one effort he destroy
ed the credit of the Company and refused to re-
cognize their official relations, he at the same
time demanded the fulfllment of their obligations.
To the demands of the Government the Commits
sioners opposed the following: They had fur
nishcd arms to the value of $4,000 the Santo
Domingo COMPANY owed them, on account of the
subsidy to the steamship line, $4,000 more, and
in addition there was an unpaid loan due the
Company. which, with principal and interest,
amounted to 100000 in round figures. Alto
gether the COmpany's Offset to the demand for the
annuity amounted to something over 100000.
While they were willing to recognize a part of the
obligations, the Provisional Government would
not consent to allow them to offset the annuity,
as the new administration wanted money where
with to carry on the Government. Gonzales made
a demand for the money, and the Commissioners
protested that they were not in a position to re-
spond to the demand, and that if they were it
would be impolitic for thom to pay, as the new
officials had not been installed and in the event
of another revolution the Company might be call
ed upon to pay the amounts over again. Notwith-
standing the fact that the people had at a ple-
biscitum held a short time before to consider
the position which the Government should take
with respect to the Company, and the popular
verdict had been 20,I1l votes in favor of the
treaty, against Is votes in opposition, Gonzales
declared the treaty a0rOgated.
The i~nstjgators of the repeal of the treaty were a
number Of English residents and merchants, who
were Jealous Of American progress in the West In-
dies. The English Consul-GeneraI, a Mr.. st. John,
had been negotiating between Hayti and Santo Do
mingo, for the purpose Of making a treaty. The
conditions of the compact were TO the effect that a
disputed boundary, consisting principally of noun
famous territory, should be settled in accordance with
the demands Of Hayti, and that the SANTANA Bay
grant should be annulled, In the event of these
conditions being assented to, the Dominican Govern
meut was to receive a loan of some considerable
amount.
The representatives of the SANTANA Company, how
ever, had protested against, the action of the Provi.
sional Government, and he, Gov. Fabens), with
Capt. Samuels, had returned to the North in order
that they might lay the matter before their directors,
and if necessary before the Government. DR.. Howe,
with lis wife, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, would re-
main at Santo Domingo as Acting Governor, to pro-
tect the interests of his Company. When the Com.
missioners left Santo Domingo the Government had
dispatched a vessel to take possession of the Com
pany's property, and as the Tybee had got well under
way the Dominican steamer was seen on her way to
SANTANA. Although these matters created a great
deal OIL discussion in Santo Domingo he did not deem
it probable that any popular tumult would occur.
Gov. Fabens further said that while he did not know
precisely what action the Company would take, yet
he thought it very probable that they would appeal to
the United States Government for protection in their
rights and demand that the matter be referred to ar
bitration. The Company had leased the Island of
Alavantado in SANTANA Bay to the United States, as a
naval coaling station, on such terms as the United
States deemed proper and equitable.
Paul N. Spoford, another of the directors, said that
he did not care to connect himself with the expression
of any views as yet. The SANTANA Bay directors
would have a meeting this week and discuss the
matter. He understood that the a~brogation of the
treaty was largely due to British influence, backed by
the promised support of the British Government, the
furnishing and equipment of a vessel of war and the
granting of a loan amounting to several millions of
dollars to the Dominican Government to be repaid
when convenient without interest. He did not be-
lieve, however, that the holders of the Hartmont
(English) loan, which has been the cause of some
diplomatic and other correspondence with the Domi-
nican Government, was responsible for the abroga.
of the treaty.
Another director said that the Dominican Govern.
ment some time since granted concessions to. one
and another to the SANTANA Surveying
Company. The SANTANA Bay Company had not alb
sorbed these two aforementioned Companies, and any
default on the part of the aforementioned Company
would not affect their grants.