New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
FRANCE AND SAN DOMINGO
THE RECENT ENFORCEMENT OF A CLAIM
AGAINST THE ISLAND REPUBLIC

San Domingo Feb. 1 (s7eciaD.-The French in
cident threatened International complications and
caused great excitement. The French Consul de-
manGed immediate payment OF a debt OF -sJ'V"
francs AL attempts al compromise and efforts 10
get time failed. Then there was a public demon
stration. Thousands Of people gathered IN the
plaza. Bands played and carriages nnumersble cir
cled round. each displaying one or two large Do
mnican flags which every household possesses
Most of the carriages contained women There
were a speech recitng the facts and request tnat
committees be appointed 70 raise the amount by
popular subscription and that the recall Of the
French Consul be asked. A proclamation was also
distributed, bearing the signatures OF the President
and his Cabinet After the speeches the crowd
preceded by the band. moved over the city and
made various demonstrations OF PATRIOTISM Against
this the French Consul protested.
The debt which is the cause OF all OF this is one
based on personal claims. In 1885 Two citizens OF
France were in business AT SANTANA They were
Domaine and Caccavell- Some of the agents Of the
late Heureaux attempted legal couhscation Of the
business Of these citizens of France. and the matter
was taken into the courts. This was a surprise 10
the arbitrary rulers Of the Province, and by their
rashness Domaine was sent 10 jail and Caccavelh
assassinated- Domaine was in prison twenty-five
months before his country secured his release IN
the adjusting Of damages Domaine was to receive
900 OO0 gold for the indgnity and the injury 20
his business The family Of CaccaveIi was TO have
s45 600 on account Of his death and $4,000 mis-
right IN the lawsuit in which he was Interested
BY the terms of the settlement these amounts were
payable at the rate of $1,000 francs monthly For
four months prior to the death of Heureaux there
was a default OF payment owing TO the helpless
condition OF the finances OF the republic. During
the revolution action possible and with
the administration, not sixty days old, demand
is made for the entire unpaid balance credits be-
ing given for amounts paid since the adjudication
OF the claims.
The Government offered TO pay the claim month
~ with the first payment OF 5000 francs January
This offer was refused and the demand
stated by the French Consul. The popular demon
stratiou not Of a character to be agreeable to
the officer in whose honor il given, and he
withdrew his demand, filed protest against the
arousing of the people against the French Govern
melt, and asked for guard about his house.
He also cabed for warships In the mean time
a telegram from the business OF Santiago in
the interior asked what amount was necessary 70
satisfy the demands OF the French Consul and
another declared that owing TO the confidence and
esteem in which the President held the
citizens Of that city would make a loan the
Government.
HOW HEUREAUX RAISED FUNDS,
It was a favorite method of the late President
Heureaux TO raise money in appeals of this sort
but it was not popular. His requests came IN the
way Of demands, and he seldom took any steps to
see that loans thus made were repaid.
This new administration is making subscriptions
entirely voluntary, and If confidence continues and
the donors are treated in good faith possible
luton the financial questions embarrassing the
Government may be afforded.
The President the next day expressed himself
greatly pleased with the expression Of esteem H
said that he had desire to any just claim
repudiated. but that the creditors Of the late ad
nnistratiou must not expect everything at once
that the finances Of the country were in depora-
BILE condition, the revenues in the hands OF the