The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-05
CONSUL ACTED HASTILY
STRONG LIGHT THROWN on THE
FRENCH DOMINICAN CLAIMS.
BruSuue Demands Made Before jim
fpex Was Well Esta
French AdmiraFs Courtesy.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SANTO DOMINGO CITY, Jan. AT

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SANTO DOMINGO CITY, Jan. 4.-The
roadstead here is now free from the
French warships Cecille, Suchet and
Troude. hastily sent to treat the Domini-
cans as INSCRIPTIONS debtors, and whose
officers have departed after manifesting
their high appreciation of the patriotic and
honest sentiments which animate the peo-
pie and the present government of Santo
Domingo.
This question of indemnity was not the
first presented by the French consul, as
shown by the diplomatic correspondence
between him and Senior Henriquez y
Carvajal. minister Of foreign relations. Re-
ferring TO a decree issued by the provi-
sional government after the death of Presi-
dent Heureaux, and to certain financial
incidents. he sent. Nov. D. an ultimatum
asking for IAN urgent and categorical an
swer in regard to the int0ntion of the
Dominican government, to refuse ac
cept in principle. the responsibility, first,
of the emission made by the bank in Next
can money, and. second, of the other ennis
sions made by the Dominican government
I'm current money: that is to say. subject to
a variable change, which would be the OBJ
ject of a special convention
This demand was made hardly one week
after the provisional government had been
succeeded by that of Senior Jiminez.
M. Delcasse. the French minister of for
eign affairs, ordered the consul to declare
that President Jiminez was expected to
abrogate without delay" the measures
taken by the provisional government.
which could not but keep the country in
q state Of political perturbation.
The Dominican minister of foreign re-
lations answered In polite and dignifed
note, explaining the financial position of
the government and expressing the hope
that the consul would see that the Domini-
can administration desire and resolve
were TO improve the economic situation
of the country and to ''offer to the for
eign," as we'll as to the native creditors,
q greater guarantee of stability and basis
of mutual prosperity.
IL was on the day after having received
this courteous answer that the question
OF the Boismare-Cacavelli indemnity was
brought before the government OF Santo
Domingo by very brief note. In which
the French consul wrote to Senior Hen
riquez y CarvaJal:
81 request your Excellency to let me know
what day 1t will be possible for me to
receive the installments due upon our Bois-
mare-C acavelii claims.
This was dated Dec. 5. and the consul
added that he expected the payment to be
made before the sailing of the French
bitterly resented by the people OF the city
of Santo Domingo. They held a mass
meeting In the public square. and loudly
protested, though being careful in their
speeches to show that they did not hold
France herself responsible for the incon-
siderate and. they declared. too hasty
acts OF the French minister OF foreign af-
fairs. No insults or threats were directed
against the person OF the consul whose
complaints i'm that regard were answered
in a note written by Senior Henriquez v
Carvajal. Jan 4. who said among other
things. The behavior of the Dominican
people Is highly honorable, and so much
more so since nobody can show that i'm any
way has been committed act of hostili-
~ or OF contempt against the consulate of
France. a nation towards which the Do
minican people have ever endeavored not
only To preserve. but TO cultivate a loyal
friendship. and their most enthusiastic ad-
miration."
The truth OF these assertions and the sin
cerity of these friendly sentiments were
known. fortunately. by the French admiral
and his officers who conducted their mis-
sion I'm a most courteous manner President
Jiminez. who had resided for some years
IN Paris. made Admiral Richard and his
STAFF feel quite at home during the function
at the presidential residence.
The Dominican government gave. dur