The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-27
Friday Jan. u. 1905.
DOES 1T MEAN ANNEXATION.

1t seems that we are in foriit with
the san Domingo republic. The Amer
lean eagle has spread her protecting
wings over this one OF her p~roteges
of the Caribbean. The fact that the
present situation was sought by the
black republic instead of being forced
upon her by our>government o not
alter the conditions or the relationship
of our government to that OF San Do
mingo and toward the nations who are
cdamoring for cash settlements OF their
accounts against her. BY the protocal
recently signed by representatives OF
the two republics, our government
places itself in the position OF fiscal
agent Of the European powers who have
claims against the other. We are more
than this. We are not only to collect
-rthe customs, duties, n account
for them, Tat through necessity
of the situation we will have to exer-
else a supervisory power over the
import and export trade of the
island. The San Dominicans will
now look to our government to get
them out of the financial difficulties IN
which they have become involved with
certain European powers. Those pow
ers will look to us to bring about sat
isfactory settlement of their claims.
What will be the result? No one
can tell. Present conditions cannot
last. We cannot indefinitely admins
ter the financial affairs of the island
We have no authority to prevent the
dominican republic contracting new
foreign obligations. We have under
taken-it amounts to that-to settle
her present debts by administering her
customs. When we get through with
these If we find Others have been con-
tracted and that the foreign creditors
threaten acts which we cannot permit
what is to be lone but continue the eX-
listing status? q,
It looks like we have got this burden
on our hands for an Understandable
period. hos lazy, shiftless Domir-
leans will make no effort to take finan-
cial affairs into their own hands and re-
lieYe our government of the onorous
duty SO long as they find that it is be-
ing performed for them better than
they could do it themselves.
The Dominicans have for some time
desired annexation to the United
States. They made q direct p
ton to that effect some few years
ago, which was respectfully declined
by our government. Is it possible that
they will attain their purpose through
Hay is one of the most astute and we'll
equipped diplomats of the present day.
He has no superior. Is it possible that
he is about to be outwitted by the ne
gro and half breed politician OF San
Domingo and will, before he knows it,
find himself in the awkward position
of having virtually annexed the island
without his knowledge and against his
will. If the conditions which led Up
to the making of the present agree
ment continue for any length Of time
San Domingo will be, to all intents and
purposes, a part of h United States.
Our relationship toward the island will
be nothing less han that of the cen
trail government toward q dependency.
1t looks as if it is hat the Domiri-
cans are working for. We are afraid
Mr.. Hay made a grave mistake when
he consented to the signing of that
protocol. Lei us hope that our fore
bodings are without real foundation.