Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-20
ANARCHY sANrO DOMINGO.

ANARCHY IN SANTO DOMINGO.
Santo Domingo is at present in a state
of anarchy. War and bloodshed ride
over the country. The torch Of desola-
ton has been kindled homesteads are
being wrecked, plantations ruined and
misery, starvation and death sweep over
the republic.
Three distinct revolutions are in full
swing. General Jiminez and his followers
are opposed to General Moraas' "provi-
sional government" while the followers
of ex-President Alexandra Wos Gil
are seeking to gain a firm footing. All
three parties lack the necessary funds to
push their respective Interests and de-
signs with vigor hence General Morales
holds his own in the city OF Santo Domln-
90. Jminez is supreme in Santiago de
los Caballeros, while the followers OF
Wos Y Gil are seeking to gain ground IN
The neighborhOod Of Porto Plata.
The native currency is nickel the dol
lar having a value OF only 20 cents
American money in the republic, and
being valueless outside the country. Lo-
cal leans can no longer be raised, and
foreign loans cannot be negotiated, as
there is no foreign concern that would
lend the republic five cents in its present
condition.
A foreign debt of many millions Of
dollars weighs down the country, and all
OF its sources Of revenue have practically
passed under the control of mercantile
houses and companies No part of the
interest in the great national debt has
been paid for many months. The Santo
Domingo Improvement Company, an
American concern, has large interests in
the island. The Clyde Steamship Com
panv has a franchise that permits it to
monopolize the trade between the United
States and Santo Domingo, and along
the coast of the latter at whatever rate
it chooses to impose.
A means Of becoming rapidly rich is
said TO be the incentive that urges on
ambitious spirits to aspire to the presi-
dency of the republic and sinks the
country into one long spell of ruin and
desolation. Upon leaving the presl-
dency it is said that many OF the incum-
bents have carried off large amounts re-
ceived in revenues. This may or may
not be the case, hut the accusers are the
DOminicans themselves.
Many local franchises and monopolies
weigh on commercial progress, and the
people, not knowing how to alleviate
their sufIerings, rush into war and help
to add vigor to the general conhagration.
Embezzlement of public funds is not
considered dishonorable in SantO Do
mingo and it is extensively practiced.
Engufed as they are in such a des-
perate financial bog, Dominicans turn
their eager gaze in every direction in
search Of aid. A glimmer of hope SEEM
ed to dawn on the horizon for them
when Germany, toward the latter part OF
the presidential term Of Wos Y Gil,
sought to negotiate for the occupation OF
Samana bay. The hope was temporarily
dissipated by the vigorous message from
the United States . to the Dominican
government forbiddiug any such trans
action.
The Dominican government holds
firmly to It's theory that as free anc
independent nation it is at liberty tC
negotiate with whom ii pleases. If al
lowed the opportunity it would defy the
American authorities and the Monroe
doctrine in the hope of being supported
by other friendly powers.
Germany has large interests in SantC
Domingo. The commerce between the
two countries is next in Importance tC
that between the republic and thu
United States.
There are many Germans in the coun
try. and they have succeeded in making
themselves agreeable to the Dominican
in their private and commercial relations
There have been many intermarriage
between German settlers and natives
and the tendency Of the latter now is
have their children educatedin Germany
Many Dominican young men hay
graduated from German schools, ana ID
natives are made to understand that the
will receive better treatmentat the haDd
of Germans than from Americans.
There was time when the mass oil IN
people of Santo Domingo looked towar
the United States as the greatest nation I
which they should ally themselves IN OF
der to be prosperous. Now they have DC
gun to dstrust the United States. Tn
feeling has been much intensified by th
tales of woe and oppression carried iror
Porto Rico by certain politicians allie
to the federal party there.
REMARKABLE OPERATION.-ln tn
case where a Stepney dock laborer name
Jogeph Stewart is alleged to have Stable
his brother 10 the heart on Boxing Da
in London some interesting evidence a
to the operation by which the injure
mans heart was stitched upwas given a
the Thames Police Court 1t was neces
sary. said DR. Scott, OF the London HO:
pital, to perform the operation, as tn
man was bleeding to death kccOrding
". Mr. Percy Furnival, visiting surgeon
explored and enlarged the wound, expo
sing the heart, which was found to hay
...ol flor tbaoDaro.;o,, Il