Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-08-10

than appears on the surface. The as
sassinatiou Of President HcureauX, it is
proposed, shall not be made the rrCtcNt for
II demonstration Of naval force by foreign
powers, such as has usually attended the
outbreak of the chronic happenings Of Il
revolutionary character in the INDEPENDENT
petty republics, so called, in the West
Indies. This action of the government.
without awaiting the usual Formally Of II
request by the United States representa-
tive at the point Of disturbance, Is regard
Cd as a public notice of an intention on
the part Of this government to command
order among these turbulent people.
Aside from the sphere of influence" Cf
the United states on the American hemi-
sphere, as set forth 10y President VI nr1o
and repeatedly backed up ~ his loug line
of successors in the presidential office, tho
eastern, or San DOMINGO. portion of the
island Of Hayti has been more closely as
soClated with the policy of American ad-
miristrations than any other region IN
that part of the globe.
In the first year of the administration Of
President Grant there was a serious move
ment as is known, made toward the ac-
QUESTION by purchase of the spacious bay
Of SANTANA, in the northeastern end Of the
island, as a naval station. The anxiety Of
President Grant to secure that splendid
harbor was amply INDICATED in the lat
more particularly so had the struggle been
prolonged by doubtful results in the carl
icr part of the conflict
In addition to diSposing Of that bay for
a consideration, there was pronounced
feeling among the people of the island IN
favor of the United States
In January, 1871, under the resolution #
Congress, San Domingo was visited by a
United States commission to look into it's
resources and social conditions at the IL
most unanimous request Of the people of
the island asking annexation. Their re-
port was favorable, but the Administered
ton and party in the Senate. headed ~
Charles Sumner, became involved in COM
plications, which led to the rejection of
the treaty of annexation in the Senate. In
January, 1873, the bay ana the harbor of
SANTANA were ceded to an American COM
pany but the Cession lapscd the next year
for nom payment of rent.
The rejection Of the treaty of annexa
tion was very much taken to heart by the
President. as he saw at once the loss Of
an important strategic foothod among
the islands of the West Indies, whether
in the cXigencies Of war or in the interest
Of peace.
In the changed conditions today the pos
session of San Domingo would practically
complete the conversion of the Caribbean
Sea and the Gulf of MeXica into An"ri-
can lakes, with Porto Rico and San Do
mingo under United States jurisdiction
With the exception Of Jamaica, the COM
merce of the great islands of that group
would be under American sovereignty ~
control.
The utilitarian ideas of President Grant
are we'll Known In referring to the spec
ial advantages Of san Domingo over Cuba
Porto Rico and Iayti, he urged the COM
uaratively small numbers Of the people
ba nj 4 4 n IA ,rtps
Of climate, soil, rivers and natural wealth
and products. He looked upon the island
as an ideal opening for American enter
prise and capital, and in every respect
suggesting the opportunities offered by
our frontier Territories in the nftios, out
in line Of production entirely new &c
American agricultural industry. To show
still further the close touch between the
United States and San Domingo, prcsi-
dent Harrison, in 1891, by prOClamdtioi
under authority Of the reciprocity legis
lation of Congress the year before, estab-
lished reciprocal commercial arrangements
with the government of the Dominica
Republic, thus exempting from duty il
the tritcd States sugar, molasses, COTE
and hiGes, in consideration of certain mer
chandse Of United States manufactur,
imported directly from the ports of Tx
United States.
The productive output of San Domingo
especially in agriculture, has moro thar
quadrupcd since President Grant urge
annexation This is particularly the cast
in sugar. 1t may be said that this indus
try has grown up almost entirely since
the visit of the United States Commission
in Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata an,
Azda alone produce 100000 value Of su
gar almost all of which is shipped to the
United States. This represents about CO.,
100000 pounds. The products Of CaCao-
coffee, tobacco, fruits and forest products
has also multiplied enormously since th'
impetus given to enterprise by the an
neXation movement. Some idea may b'
formed of the advances made by the rc
public by the revenues from customs
alone, which now run above $4Gn,oJo :
year.
The foreign commerce of the island il
mainly in the United States, Great Bri
tain, France Germany and the islands %
the Antilles. OF this aggregate large
share goes to the United States. agereg It
ing nearly 100000 year in value of i'm
ports into and exports from the Unite.
States, the former being about double th
amount of the latter.