Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-05-10

States, or at least to a protectorate Dy
the American government. The an
nexation idea was one of the cherished
dreams Of President Grant Indeed, it
even antedates Grant, for Secretary
Seward about the time of the Alaska
purchase elaborated plan looking to
American possession of Santo Domin-
go. 1t is probable that the idea did not
originate in the United States, how
ever, but in the island itself, for the
merchant classes there have always
favored an American protectorate.
It was doubtless due to this influ-
ence that President Baez of the Do
minican Republic sent a formal propo-
sition to President Grant looking to
the annexation of Santo Domingo to
the United States. 1t was in July,
1869. that Grant received the proposal,
and he lost no time in sending a spe
cial commissioner to the island to look
into conditions and report After some
further negotiations the treaty of an
nexation was prepared, the question
was submitted to the voters of Santo
Domingo, who gave 1t almost unani-
nous approval at a special election
held for the purpose, and Grant sub
mitted the treaty to the United States
senate for ratification. Charles sum
ner. chairman Of the foreign affairs
committee, bitterly opposed the ratifi-
cation of the treaty, and succeeded In
securing sufficient support to defeat
the treaty. The annexation talk died
down and has not been renewed until
recent years, although the commercial
marty in the island still continued to
favor the plan.
Meanwhile affairs in the little repub-
lie were in a troubled condition. There
were frequent uprisings, and presi.
dents came in rapid succession until in
1886 General Ulysses Heureux was
elected. and the constitution was so al
tered that he could succeed himself.
This he did with somewhat monoton-
Gus regularity, so contriving matters
that it was impossible to GUST him.
Heureux was a young man when he
went into office and an ambitious one.
He became practical dictator of the
country. banishing or executing those
who opposed him. In this manner he
continued in power until 1899, when
he was assassinated.
Shortly after the violent close of
the Heureux regime came the revolu-
ton that resulted in making General
Jiminez president In 1902 occurred
another revolution, which was success
full in forcing Jiminez to resign, On
which the vice president. Vasquez.
was installed, to he succeeded in 1908
by General Morales. against whom the
present revolution is directed. In San
TO Domingo the president is elected for
four years. unless sooner "revoluted*
out Of Office.
The people are OF mixSd Spanish.
negso and Indian blood The govern
ment is modelled on that of the Ameri-
can republic and so far as form is con-
cer1fed is said to be quite ide1:.
Santo Domingo is one Of the most
beautiful OF the West India islands.
II lies between Cuba and Porto Rico.
In SANTANA Bay 1t possesses one Of the
finest natural harbors in the world 1t
was this port which President Grant
was especially anxious to secure as a
coaIing station. The Oldest settlement
made in the new world was on this
island. Columbus himself having
founded It Here the great discoverer
was buried and here for number Of
years was the capital Of the Spanish
possessions to the new world.
At the end Of the eighteenth century
Spain ceded the Eastern half Of the