The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-28
BY r.. H. VORFELD.

than two-thlrdS OF the entlre area
OF the island on which it is situated.
and covers some $4,000 square miles
It Is one OF the four so-called Greater
Antilles of the West Indies that en-
brace Cuba, Santo Domingo, Jamaica.
and Porto Rico. Santo Domingo must
not be confused with the Republic Of
Haiti located in the western portion
Of the island, as both are completely
different in customs and people. The
assumption by many that Haiti and
allied, or even remotely similar in ma
tional traits and class of inhabitants
is entirely erroneous.
The influence of Spanish colonization
is paramount in Santo Domingo.
whereas Haiti was a French colony.
Nor should Santo Domingo be mis-
taken for the Island of Dominica.
very small French possession in an
other part of the West Indies. Astro-
nomically, Santo Domingo is situated
between IT degrees. Sc minutes, and 10
degrees. So minutes. latitude north. and
Its longitude lies between 70 degrees.
80 minutes, and "A degrees. 81 minutes.
west. The population of the republic
is estimated officially at 100000. Its
twelve provinces are named Monte
Cristy. Santiago. Puerto Plata. Espail-
lat. Pacificador. La Vega, SANTANA. Aqua,
Barahona. Santo Domingo. Seibo, and Ma
coris. Its climate. though tropical in
the lowlands. is not so torrid as that
of the same ATTITUDES in other lands,
due in part to its insular situation. the
full sweep of the northeast trades to
Is northern territory, and to the grad
,ated attitudes of the island. Impos-
ng mountain chains keep the country
Tree from the devastating West Indian
hurricanes that occasionally invade
Porto Rico, Jamaica and Cuba. while
The climate throughout has been found
extraordinarily healthy by natives and
foreigners alike. Centenarians are so
common as to excite little remark. and
epidemics of any kind are unknown.
In the mountains temperatures as low
as 40 degrees are not unusual. and in
anything but cool and refreshing. the
Indian name. still found in Dominican
romance and literature, is Quisqueya
pronounced Kisskaya), meaning
mountainous land or high land.
well-dehned Difference.
In the words of Enrique Deschamps,
the noted Dominican man of letters. and
author of the most authoritative and
comprehensive work on Santo Domingo:
Natural barriers or limits do not differ
entiate the soil of both nations. and the
two republics (Santo Domingo and Hal |
til divide dominion of several rivers, |
mountains, lakes and valleys that make |
both territories one physically, but the !
radical differences of origin, language
and customs in the two peoples. added
to their old-time dissensions have Gre
ated completely defined moral frontiers
between the two"
Foreigners may not become landholders
in Haiti, whereas special encouragement !
is given to this end in Santo Domingo. |
and the initiation of agricultural enter |
prises stimulated by liberal agricultural
laws and franchises, and the admission
free of agricultural machinery. nipple
rnents, etc. It may be added that no
land or real estate tax is or has been I
on the Dominican statute books. and
that all taxation is indirect. barring mu-
nicipal licenses for certain lines of
trade.
Spanish is the language of the country.
though English is much spoken at the
seaports, especially in the northern and
eastern parts of the island.
Truth About the Country.
Santo Domingo has suffered heavily
through Misrepresentation. The high
lights of internal dissensions have been
selected for sensational distortion and
exaggeration by certain elements. some
times by casual and superficial observers.
again by timid alarnists of narrow ex-
perience and provincial culture. While
the country and its people need no apollo
gists. it is but fair to discuss briefly this
phase of Dominican affairs, and the ORR
gin OF former disturbances. in effort
to place the truth respecting Santo Do
mngo before the American people.
Santo Domingo is indeed the Cradle
Of America" Columbus first settle
ment in the Western Hemisphere was
On the island. and his remains are in
the cathedral at Santo Domingo City.
in literal fulfillment of his expressed
will that his bones might ind rest in
beloved Hispanola (as the colony was
frst named. There has been some mix
ture of the pioneer Spaniards. with |
both African and Indian blood and, =.
while a large percentage of the inhabi- .
tants can trace their pure Spanish des-
cent. A notable proportion are coIored. ,
Race prejudice does not exist in Santo ,
Domingo. and with reason. Colored Do ,
ninicans, citizens OF a sovereign state, .
have been bred TO be courteous without ,
servility and independent without inso- .
ence. Events connected with the death ,
Of President Ramon Caceres. late in ,
1911, who had held office throughout ,
IN absolutely peaceful period of seven
years, led to armed protest by the Do ,
ninican people, protest renewed and ,
sustained until they obtained what is ,
heir constitutional right, free elections
These terminated with the election of ,
- A. l