The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-08
WOULD Be 4 DICTATOR
General Jiminez Has Tried 1t
Once and Failed.
WHEREBY HANGS A TALE
Of How Uncle Sam Was Taken
in and Done for.
HANGS A TALE

New York, Aug. This is the nrst au-
thentic history Of the Jaminez conspiracy
against the Dominican republic, in May
1855, and the part played therein by our
war department. 1t is the biography Of
Don Juan Isidro Jiminez, the present as
pirant to the presidential chair. who was
the leading opponent Of the late President
Heureaux. 1t accounts for some hitherto
mysterious movements OF the steamship
Fanita, which was Ibled in Mobile. lib
Grated and sailed, ostensibly for Cuba
with arms for the insurgents but inrealty
made a daring dash for San Domingo to
take the island by storm, only to meet
with defeat and flight. II explains the in
terest the war department took in the
trial Of Jiminez on British soil, in the Ba-
hamas, and how the United States set
tied whit the little island republic. On
the whole, cosidering the present unset
tied condition Of San Domingo and the
possibility of Jiminez gaining the ascen-
dency, the recital will be of interest.
San Domingo is a very beautiful, fruit
ful. but not a very big island. In fact,
there is room for but one big man there at
a time. This was the conviction Of the
late President Heureaux. He was the one
big man. There was another, however.
His name was Don Juan Isidro Jiminez,
and he was rich merchant, with immense
plantations on theisland, great ware
houses and commercial branches in New
York, Hamburg and other cities of the
world. Jiminez was a great traveller,
which contributed to his longevity.
But every time he landed theisland sag
ged considerably IN that direction. This
displeased President Heureaux. whose
palace was in the interior, and who rarely
went to the shore for fear that the island
would capsize with his weight. One day,
when the president saw his palace fitting
forty-five degrees Reward and the crock
cry was rolling OF the pantry shelves
he knew that General Jiminez had arrived
He instantly invited him to dine.
Now to have the president Of San Do
mingo invite you to dine is not pleasant
sensation. Ut produces heart failure. Sew
eral important people within the sixteen
years of President Heureanx's reigne had
been invited to the executive mansion to
dine and were never heard of afterwards
But General Jiminez is brave man He
accepted the invitation, made his will,
wrote farewells to his family in Paris, and
mounted a white bullock, rapping at the
gates fthe Dominican white house with
true Jeffersonian simplicity. The presI-
dent opened the door hinself-a mark Of
great condescsnsior as well as business
accummen.
Over the tropical daintfes the CONVERSE
ton ranged through the affairs of the Is
land from the expectation of logwood to
the French wine growers, to the importa-
ton of Ansonia clocks, which were quite
recserche among the Dominican elite as
neck. ornaments. When the swarthy
"slavey" had gullotined the third bottle Of
champagne with mashete the host opened
out.
General Jiminez," he said gravely, ''It
is with Interesting apprehension that the
presidential prerogative views your grow
ing popularity. You are q rich man, a
benevolent man, and a just man. so far as
you can judge by effete foreign standards.
You are well liked at the cusom house.
so I understand, and 1t seems to be mu-
tual." General Don Juan smiled proudly.
Now General. while you are growing
richer, the presidential prerogative regrets
to say the island Is growing poorer.
am goin gto preform q grand coup. I am
going to float a many million dollar loan
with the Americans, and am going to re-
bond the customs Of San Domingo as Sc
curity. 1 am going to allow the foreigner
to soft in the seat of customs, and you
know, General Jlminez, these people have
riches back Of their heads.
Take heed, then.
Make yourself less popular. Popularity
Is a growing disease on the island. Check
yours in the incipient stage or 1t will be
fatal. Repember, during my sixteen
years OF divine prerogative no less than
400 Of the most daringly amiable gentle
men Of the island have been picked of be-
cause Of these growing pains Of popular
ity. II two great men-a Heureaux and q
Jiminez-remain on the island at the same
time without its sinking. 1t is because one
remains quiet, and 1 assure you 1t shall
not be Heureaux. That's all. Adios.''
General Jiminez went away a sad man.
Soon he saw the Americans come. lay
down bags of gold out of the ships hold.
saw an iron cage built around The Gus
tom department at Monti Christi. and a
bearded Yankee. with a cold glittering
eye. two revolvers at each hip and a great
head for figures. seat himself within the
place OF authority. Poor J!minez bought
and sold as before. but his profits fell
The bearded Yankee sxacted HIS ti;he
from the customs according TO his bonds.
Then he gave into the government treas
ury the balance, and the island began TO
grow rich. with sanitary devices. clean
water hospitals for the sick and roads for