The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-24
EX-PRESIDENT BAEZ,
What the Recent Ruler Of 81. Domingo says-
The Causes Of His FaIl-Betrayed by His
Friends Doubtful Stability Of the Pro-
visional Government-The SANTANA
Bay Compsny-OR for Washing
ton to Lobby Annexation.

ton to Lobby Annexation.
Buenayenrura Baez, General Of Division, GRAND
Citizen, ana recently President OF the Republic Of
ST. Domingo who arrived late on Thursday az
the Brevoort House, from that island, was visited
yesterday morning by q representative of the
HERALD.
General Baez is a man nearly sixty years Of age.
In person he is about five feet four inches IN
height, OF stoutsh build rather stoOp shOuldered
ana shows unmstakable signs OF Ethiopian blood
III Ills veins the hand OF time has LETT indehbld
marks on she sodierly features OF the old states
mah- lie possesses pleasing and kindly brown
eye. has well shaped head. strongly marked war
worn features, and dresses in plan suit of black
without much display OF jewelry From the con-
versaHon winch ensued with the HERALD represen-
tative the following statement Is made:-
The bl0odess revolution that has ousted General
Baez from power was the result OF an election agi-
tation among the progressive party, which he has
represented very successfully in the Presidency for
the last six years. Baez was q candidate for re.
election office, and Generals Villanueya Coma,
lez and others, whom he had appointed to places Of
high trust and emoument under his administra-
ton, were against him, ostensbly because
OF the SANTANA Bay contract, but really on account
OF their own ambitious aspirations to mount into
power against the will OF the people. They knew
that the popular vote would not sustain their un.
worthy hostility to the regularly constituted gov
eminent; therefore those intriguers took to the
mountains with about $50 infantry and nifty cav
airy. This appeal to arms showed their treason to
the progressive party. Baez possessed the capital
OF the Republic, the army, the custom houses and
all desirable material means to annhilate the
rebels; but in launching into civil war the pro-
gressive party would have been shattered and the
accession OF the ultra conservatives become pos
sibllty. Therefore, to save the liberal party from
destruction and avoid the shedding of blood, Gen.
eral Baez agreed to separate himself from the
government and allow his enemies TO get into
power.
After this explanation the General handed to the
reporter copy OF a convention entered into by
MN with General Pablo Villanueva commander OF
the revolutionary troops and his address to the
Senate at the time OF surrendering the Presidency.
He evinced surprise when informed that both Of
these documents had been published days ago in
the HERALD
The ex-Presdent wishes 1t to be known that he
was almost unanimously reelected IN three OF the
Dominican provinces; that the rebels who now
protest 80 strongly against the SANTANA Bay con-
tract were formerly stanch supporters OF the
measure. They now want to make 1t appear that
he has absolutely sold to Americans, who are for
eigners. an extensive tract Of the national terIl-
tory, while the fact is that the bay and other privi-
leges are only leased, at specified rent for term
OF years. But If the present provisional govern
ment should succeed III establishing Itself 1t Will
then be glad receive the yearly rent Of $150OOO
which the SANTANA Bay Company are paying for
the rights that they have acquired.
AS to the probabilities Of who may be called to
the PRESIDENTIAL chair. General Baez thinks that
Caceres has at present the best chance He says
that the new men in power dare not come before
the people to ask their SURFACES, for then there IS
m hnf1h no W hn or a
Another cause OF trouble to Baez was the oppO-
stiOn which he suffered from the Haytiens be.
Hayu there is a law which prohibits white men
from holding or becoming possessed OF real estate,
and the people of that black Republic think that II
Americans once got loothold on the lovely and
fertile island OF ST. Domingo the colored race
using force to maintain himself in power (Which,
he asserts, might easily nave been dOne1 the
worst passions of the people belonging to both
Republics would have been appealed to by such
freebooters and bandits rs Luperon, and q san
culinary war must have ensued. The Domincans
like foreigners, especially Americans: while tho
Haytens abhor all white men, particularly those Of
the United States.
About the ability of the SANTANA Bay Company to
comply with the conditions OF their contract there
seems to be no doubt. Last year the company
3 tn OF TOR ss as
the rent has not been delivered over because
there was no stable or legitimate government TO
General Baez remembers very well the project
that was set on foot some years ago with the OBJ
"
Confederation OF the Antilles. 1t was not decided
whether this new nation IN embryo should be
decision OF an nterinsular convention OF nOtables.
1t was understood that st. Domingo Cuba.
Jamaica and the other adjacent West India Islands
were to form this Power in project. England would
probably cede Jamaica and Spain part with Cuba
lor this purpose, seeing That the realization Of the
scheme could be converted into a powerful lever
to be res0lutey poised against rapidly developing
American interests in the West indies. England
and Spain, principally the former. were conceded
In mo a
When asked about the prospects OF cuba GeneraI
Baez expressed his sympathy with the islanders
and showed desire that they should be indepen-
dent. In St Domingo there are sympathies for
Spain as a nation, The General himself had served
Army. That, OF course, had little TO do with the
intrinsic merits OF the Cuban question. The
Cubans who live in st. Domingo were opposed to
his government because he did notgive them the
means to ut out expeditions against Spain. They
wanted MIN to go 10 Cuba in person. He could
not accede to such demands. They would bring
about gross violation OF the neutrality laws.
which st. Domingo could not AFFORD to break. The
United states, one OF the most powerful countries
In the world. has observed strict and honorable
neutrality as between Cubans and Spaniards;
then a ,ortiori, there is much more reason for
the DOmnicans to keep the strict letter OF inter-
national law
General Baez now wishes to test American
sentiment on the subject Of annexation. He
thinks it was great Misunderstanding short OF
mslortune-that this extremely important
would have brought to the United States q
country exceeded Dy none, both IN agricul.
erre Se 81 81 SaH ne honor
and glory Of participating in the peace, prosperity
and greatness enjoyed IN the most eminent degree
by these United States. The ex-Presdent will,
therefore, use all his influence at Washington, as
well as by means OF the SANTANA Bay Company, to
achieve the momentouS plan OF annexation that mas
been for years before the American public. He
thinks 1t not unlikely that sudden reverses among
those who have succeeded in temporarily sup
planting him may bring about Els recall 70 power
at no distant day
The distinguished sojourner among us is unac-
A. hox- mai
Domingo.
The island is now in nourishing commercial
condition. The exchanges OF its products with
foreign countries. the condition OF its currency
and other kindred branches OF nati0nal prosperity
were never IN so good q condition as at present.
The judicious and wise policy Of Baezs government
has worked wonders in the way oil developing the