The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-01

done him favors.
Cuba and tho United States.
The first attempt on the part Of the United |
States to obtain foothold in the Antilles by
way OF purchase. was negotiated in 1867 by
Mr.. SEWARD, then Secretary OF State. Dur
ing the civil war our blockading squadrons
had been excluded from the British ports in
the Antilles, and found shelter, coal, and
other facilities only In the Danish island Of
st. Thomas and so far as they could be ac-
commodated. In the ports OF Hnyti. For
this reason as soon as the war was over
the officers OF our navy thought 1t adj
visable to provide against the possible
recurrence OF conditions which had proved
90 inconvenient. Mr.. SEWARD. who had
1ust contaminated the purchase OF Alaska,
thought that he might proceed to make
still further addition to the territory OF the
United States; and he negotiated with Dem
mark for the purchase OF the islands OF st.
Thomas and ST. John. The treaty was con-
cluded in 1867. but for many reasons which
have now lost their interest, the Senate re-
fused to ratify the bargain.
In many respects the policy involved in
che Danish purchase was altogether sound
0uO p6LIlOIlC. by Acquiring al Az.
Gated in an important position. where at
that time nearly all ships used to call on
their way to Central or to South America,
with good harbor easy to defend against
foreign foes. tho United States would have
gained something in strategic point Of
view and much in the development OF our
political influence. In support OF this policy
the very arguments used eleven years later.
in 1878, by Lord BEAcoNsFIELD to justify
the acquisition OF Cyprus by England, might
have been invoked with great deal OF force.
II, according to British engineers. Cyprus
might become a point OF extreme impor-
tance with view to the possible defence OF
tho Suez Canal is 1t not evident in the
light Of the attempt to open the Panama
Canal. that the occupation Of such strong
hold as St. Thomas might be an important
factor In our political relations with the Antil-
les and Central America But this is not the
most important consideration involved in
tho case. The supreme policy Of this coun-
try, dictated alike by self-interest, by SELF
respect. and by tho nature OF our position
may be tersely expressed in the phrase:
America for the Americans; and the annexa-
ton OF st Thomas and ST. John would have
been an important step In that direction.
Under the Administration Of Gen. GRANT
another scheme OF American establishment
in the Antilles was proposed by the Presi-
don't and its adoption WAS urged with much
zeal. The plan comprised the acquisition OF
tho whole territory OF the Dominican re-
public. including tho harbor OF SANTANA
This was open to serious criticism. In the
first place. with the exception OF SANTANA
I. Bay. the territory thus to be acquired was
not 30 desirable In character as to disarm
criticism; In the next place. tho Dominican
republic was merely separated from tho
black republic OF Hayti by an underlined line
OF frontier; and. lastly. there were in San
Domingo at least two hundred thousand in
:. habtants. some Of them Spaniards and
largo number OF mixed blood and it was
naturally observed by the opponents OF the
measure that 1t might be even less desirable
to annex the people than the territory. This
proposal OF GRANTS Administration led to
f. stormy debates; and 1t was upon this ground
that CHARLES SUMNER finally separated
from GRANTS supporters.
As to the occupation OF SANTANA Bay, had
tho harbor and its dependencies been ac-
Quired by the United States Independently
OF the Dominican territory. the plan would
have become free from many objections.
According to the best expert testimony OBJ
tAinable in this case. the harbor might be
fortified by system OF defences no. very
costly to build; and 1t would have over ST.
Thomas the marked advantage OF COM
manding the Mona Pass, which is ono OF the
two chief strategic points in tho Antil-
les. 1t may be said. indeed, that the two
great nautical routes between Elrop, aud
the Cult of Mexico and Central Ame.!ca are
the Mona Pass on the south side of the
fisland o; San Domingo. and the Mole s..
Nicolas route, OF Wndward Pass, on the
northern or Haytian side OF the island. Tie
power that shall occupy these two points,
and establish there a sufficient system OF
Notifications will control the principal water
ways between Europe and the Gulf OF Next
90. In other words were an interoceanic
canal to be built across Central America, the
occupation OF both the Molo ST. Nicolas
and OF SANTANA Bay would prove to be OF in
valuable Importance to the United states
But In the occupation Of the Mole st.
Nicolas additional advantages may b, di--
covered. An examination of the charts will
disclose the fact that the distance from that
harbor to the Cuban coast does not exceed
thirty miles. The occupation OF th, point
would almost leave the island OF CUBA in a
state OF is latinn. 1t would be placed bet wecn
the ports Of Florida on the north and the
American naval station at the Mole st.
Nicolas on the southeast. On the other
hand, SANTANA Bay Is situated on the northern
SIDE Of the Mona Passage. while the Island Of