The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-04-13
"A' SAN DOMINGO
Coming Into Conflict Over a
Boundary Controversy
How the Trouble Grew Out
of Changing Bed OF a
River.

-.aandonce of the Associated Press,)
The following statement OF the causes
leading up to the recently developed
boundary trouble between the kepuD.
lies Of Hayti and santo Domingo anu
- The present condition of AFFAIRS Is
furnished by persons just returned
from the island
The incident that has recently oc'
curred at Phlobert on the northern
frontier and which greatly endsngeis
tho friendly relations Of the sister repuD-
lics ia considered by the Haytiens to be !
premeditated proyocation on the
nart of the Dominicans. The Hay
ten posts established in that
district to put down smuggling
and brigandage from over the border
have had to defend themselves against
) repeated attacks. By mutual consent
the river Massacre, which divides the
Dominican Province Of Daiabor from
Haytien territory, has for long time
been Professionally accepted by both
Governments as the natural boundary OF
the two states.
All the country on the right bank oil
the river was acknowledged to belong to
santo Domingo whilst the country on
D.: the left bank was regarded by both
a governments az Haytien territory. And
Al hereby hangs funny and interesting
If tale.
n The Dominicans, year or two ago
N conceived a brilliant idea. knowing
/. that nature sometimes makes rivers IN
II the topics change their courses, II
X occurred to some people residing on ih'
[. right bank of the stream that they nigh
add considerably TO Dominican TERRITORY
~ IL they could manage TO eiiec
In a deviation in the bed Of the Massacre
10 And no sooner thought than attempted
n. Hinge boulders and trunk Of trees wer
y, repeatedly rolled into the river. Ihi
in 1.-THE Haytiens say with the knowledg
d, and connivaDce OF the Dominican
Government. But up to the date
ID the commencement of the presen
IN troubles all such attempts to improy
no upon nature proved unayailing.
he For the Hayteins on the left bank dis
70. covered the little scheme and time ate
ut time removed the obstacles in the rive
pc before damage was done. However
a within a couple Of weeks ago remark
Is. able thing happened. The Haytein 80
nd diers at Philobert, situated on Haytei
II. territory on the left bank Of the Ma
sacre River retired 10 rest one night.
ed When they awoke next morning the
.go looked in vain for the river. The be
il over which the water had previous
M flowed was dry. Investigations followe
ra. and it WAS found that the river wi
ing flowing over a new channel some mii'
10 the west
zen OF course the Dominicans discoyerC
he not that the river had changed its b'
ads in the course Of night but that Il
ith Haytien soldiers had transferred son
Of substantial buildings some miles into d
ent interior OF santo Domingo in the spa
the OF single setting and rising OF the su
s h The Dominican representatives a
ith peared Immediately upon what "
, to Hsytien territory the day before Al
called upon the Haytien officer to I
to move his position the other side Of t
the river. The,Dominican officer who ma
: % the demand expressed the indignation
say his government at the contemplate I
out tion OF the Haytiens.
we'd The Haytiens, however refused
withdraw their post, calling instead
lree the Dominicans to restore the river
g OF its original bed. Then the trouble co
nth msnced. There was clash OF arr
4 il The Hayhen had the upper hand
in the Dominicans agreed 10 have the VIII
1t a matter decided by.arbitration.
Meantime the Dominicans are qui,
preparing for war and there is a str
feeling in Hayu that there will
clash Of arms before the question of
rom bitration is settled.
The Haytien troops along the from
-. have been reinforced and are I
quietly awaiting the coming of
Dominicans 10 force them from q
u'e own territory to the opposite side OF
river.