The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-10
2eJ0,uee-
SAN DOMINGO
AND ITS FUTURE

From the Chicago Times Herald.
The assassination of the president of the
Dominican republic, General Heureaux, and
the likelihood of trouble over the successor
serve to call attention anew to the problem
presented by the West Indian Islands. Their
condition is decidedly anomalous from
every standpoint-politicaI, industrial, mill
tary and social. In discussing their eco
nomic depression a recent writer pointad
out with great force and ludicrous and inn
possible political status of the islands
Their distribution among so many Jealous
nationalities means heavy taxation, expen-
sive administrations and impediments to
commercial development For exampIe the
Island of st. Martin, not as large as an
average county in the United States. is d.
Vided into two principalities, the French
ana the Dutch. In the eastern islands there
are nye foreign flags and dozen separate
colonial governments. each responsible To
Europe, and each Indifferent to the welfare
OF the rest. OF commercial progress, even
OF normal trade relations with the natural
commercial friend and ally, the United
states, there can be no question No won
DER 1t Is maintained by competent writer's
that manifest destiny points to the ultimate
absorption of the West Indies by the United
states. This, however, is not the place to
and the other groups; only San Dominro
and its two republics are of particuIar in
terest at this time
the United States on account of its new
ie,atioh TO CUBA and Porto Rico, is especi-
any concerned in the peace and TRANQUILITY
or San Domingo, and this irrespectiva Of
.ne investment of American capital on the
Island and the large interests of Americans
IN the republic Of San Domingo. other
countries are interested financially in the
Island and have citizens and pronerty 70
Protect there. In case of internal trouble
any and all of the governments so interest
Gu are warranted in sending war ships tn
san Domingo ports for the purpose of pro-
lection and defense. But the United States
mas a peculiar and paramount claim to
what Mr. Olney would call moral soyer-
eighty San Domingo is the georaphio
center of the Greater Antilles. 1t is SIT
uated midway between Porto Rico and
Cuba and is not under European control
OF course, the Monroe doctrine would pre-
ciude the acquisition of such control for
1t would be an extension in this hemisphere
OF the political influence of the old world
powers The Monroe doctrine has been re-
asserted so recently that there is no dam
ger of European Intervention for any ag-
gressive or illegitimate purpose. The
United State will not interfere at present
in the domestic affairs of either republic,
though permanent civil disorder might rem
der the exercise of some influence impera-
tive.
San Domingo is usually called a mulatto
republic. It's political history has been
varied almost beyond parallel. An unin-
habited, wild region separates it from the
negro republic of Hayti, and the political
hostility between the two governments
is a fixed and ineradicable. Eayti has
been growing and ascending. while San
Domingo has been declining and lapsing
into poverty and fnferiority. Within less
than century, San Domingo has been sue
cessively under Spanish, French, Haytian,
independent. Spanish and again ndepend-
ent flags. In 1865 Spain withdrew its aii-
thority for the last time, and San D.
mingo has been independent ever since.
The present republic was founded earlier.
however. in 1874, and its constitution 10
modelled to a considerable extent upon that
OF the United States. There Is congress
of twenty-five deputies, chosen under a ret
stricted suffrage, while the executive Is
chosen by an electoral college for = t4sE
of four years. The country Is divided into
ten districts, each being administered by a
governor appointed by the president. The
governors in turn appoint projects over
the communes and cities. Under Presi-
dent Heureaux there has been comparative
quiet and revival of prosperity. The
instruction in Cuba led to emigration,
and San Domingo was glad to welcome d
It will be recalled that in 1869 there was
movement in San Domingo in favor OF
annexation to tho United States. The
people then saw no prospect of peace and
Internal concord. nor security from foreign
encroachment, and voted for absorption By
this country. Tho government of tho
United States viewed the proposal with
some favor. a commission was appointed
to visit the island and investigate thu con-
dition Of the eastern republic. III 1871 a
report was submitted reeonmending ac-
ceptance OF San Doningo's offer, but the
senate defeated tina scEeme. Taa Offer has
not been repeated since, but IL It shoui.l
be 1t Is quite probable that dffersI. an
swer would be given. Tho conditions ara
different today, when Porto R!co IL pcr,ra-
nently annexed and Cuba under our pro-
lection and authority. Few woul.! ecIih.
erately advise the United States 10 adj
to its burdens and responsibilities but the
far-slshted may be pardone,i for believing
that sooner or later annexation Is bound
TO come. IT II 10 be hoped that the latest
difficulty Will 20. ;ishe. Ia a period of revo-
luton, warfare ana complications with for.
eign countries. Tka. might celebrate tea
denotes which II were desirable history
shouA x.nEfw Warss