The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-02-25
SAN DOMINGO AGAIN.

The report now comes from oan
Domingo that the business men of the
island are practically unanimous in
desiring annexation to the United
States and that many of the promi-
nenti politicians are coming to have
the same feeling. Even many Of
those who have been most active in
the ups and downs and ms and outs
of the revolution and counter revolu-
tions Of the past few years in that
revolution burdene1 little country are
said to have declared openly in favor
of annexation. Meanwhile the struggle
of factions continues and the lives
and property of people who are really
of some account are kept constantly
in danger.
There is nothing about the contest
which can rouse the sentimental feel
ing of Americans. There is no sent
iment about the present Dominican
war, anyway, and In fact there never
has been in any of them since the
islanders fought for their liberty
under the leadership Of Toussaint
L'Ouverture The present strife
call it by what term you please, revo-
luton, rebellion, insurrection. or
what not-is nothing but personal
affair. 1t makes no difference to the
world in general whether Jiminez
is President or some other half civil
lied, mixed blood negro. No DEEPEN
dence can be placed on the honor of
any of the men who are SO anxious to
get position in the republic by means
of blows and spilled blood. Men who
violate all of the little nations laws
and knife other men in the dark to
obtain personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT are
not likely to have a very high regard
for the lives and property of for
eigners who have taken up their resi-
dence in the island, who do business
there, or are temporarily there
Until recently foreign nations have
been content to leave San Domingo
alone with her revolutions. But at
present there are many foreigners on
the island, especially Americans.
During the war the rights of these
foreigners have not beer respected as
we'll as in former times, and the DOM
inicsns have never been remarkable
for their scruples with regard to for
eign rights But hitherto little show
of force Ga tEeetRart of big world
An,n ont 70 hrip IN
terms those who had overstepped their
privileges. The situation is more
serious now. 1t almost seems that
the Dominicsns have gone beyond the
bounds of tolerance The insurgents
have killed an American sailor, at
tackled an American consulate, and
fired on Clyde steamer, besides
burning or destroying many homes.
Other nations have Jared nearly as
badly as has the United States and as
a result the feeling toward the DOM
inlcsns is decidedly unpleasant.
1t is very probable that European
nations would hail with joy the an
nexation of San Domingo to the
United States. or the establishment of
an American protectorate over the
island, or in fact any move that would
give them reasonable assurance that
the island would for once have gov
eminent which would keep the people
quiet and guarantee the safety of life
and property of native and foreigner
alike.
With the American flag flying over
San Domingo, American capital would
flow into the island and American en-
ergy would raise its sunken CON-
mercial status III a short time So
long as the adventures who ale now
fighting are allowed their way there
will be no peace or safety for any
body. There is much of sense in the
wish of the business men of the
island.
The people Of San Domingo are of
mixed blood, partly negro and partly
Spanish about as bad a mixture as
can be found. Supremacy selfish,
with no sense of business honor or
honesty, VIGOROUSLY loose morally,
and given to idleness they are not a
promising people to adopt They are
courteous, light hearted, and religious,
but tba5 does not make them wholly
desirable. The main point is that
they need control and are not fit to
try to govern themselves as is shown
by their history The United States
could give them the strong and guild
ing hand that they need and not lose
money by it either. 1t would be 6
good move tor the United States, fol
the Dominicans, and for the world al
large, should matters be arranged sc
that San Domingo would be annexed
to this country.
RUSSIAN JOURNALISM.