  CHAPTER II HISTORICAL SKETCH. COLONIAL VICISSITUDES. 1533 TO 1801 CHAPTER III HISTORICAL SKETCH. CHANGES OF GOVERNMENT.-18O1 TO 1844 CHAPTER V HISTORICAL SKETCH. SECOND REPUBLIC. REVOLUTIONS AND DICTATORSHIPS. 1863 TO 1904. CHAPTER VI HISTORICAL SKETCH. AMERICAN INFLUENCE. 1904 TO DATE (1918) CHAPTER VII AREA AND BOUNDARIES CHAPTER VIII TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE CHAPTER IX GEOLOGY AND MINERALS CHAPTER XIII EDUCATION AND LITERATURE CHAPTER XIV MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION CHAPTER XVII THE REMAINS OF COLUMBUS CHAPTER XIX POLITICS AND REVOLUTIONS CHAPTER XXI THE DOMINICAN DEBT AND THE FISCAL TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES CHAPTER XXIII THE FUTURE OF SANTO DOMINGO APPENDIX B OLD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES IN USE IN SANTO DOMINGO APPENDIX C AMERICAN-DOMINICAN FISCAL CONVENTION OF 1907 Title: Santo Domingo A Country with a Future Author: Otto Schoenrich Language: English Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Keren Vergon, Michael Lockey and PG Distributed Proofreaders SANTO DOMINGOA COUNTRY WITH A FUTUREBYOTTO SCHOENRICH1918 PREFACEIt is remarkable how little has been written about the Dominican Republic, a country so near to our shores, which has for years had intimate commercial and political relations with our country, which is at present under the provisional administration of the American Government, and which is destined to develop under the protection and guidance of the United States. The only comprehensive publications on the Dominican Republic, in the English language, are the Report of the United States Commission of Inquiry to Santo Domingo, published in 1871, Hazard's "Santo Domingo, Past and Present," written about the same time, and Professor Hollander's notable Report on the Debt of Santo Domingo, published in 1905. The first and the last of these publications are no longer obtainable; hence, Hazard's book, written almost half a century ago, is still the chief source of information. These considerations prompted me to indite the following pages, in which I have essayed to give a bird's-eye view of the history and present condition of Santo Domingo. The task has been complicated by two circumstances. One is the extraordinary difficulty of obtaining accurate data. The other is the fact that the country has arrived at a turning point in its history. Any description of political, financial and economic conditions can refer only, or almost only, to the past; the American occupation has already introduced fundamental innovations which will shortly be further developed, and a rapid and radical transformation is in progress. Santo Domingo at this moment is a country which has no present, only a past and a future. My personal acquaintance with Santo Domingo and Dominican affairs is derived from observations on several trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, from friendships formed with prominent Dominican families during a residence of many years in Latin America, and from experience as secretary to the special United States commissioner to investigate the financial condition of Santo Domingo in 1905, and as secretary to the Dominican minister of finance during the 1906 loan negotiations. In compiling this work I have endeavored to read all books of any consequence which have been published with reference to Santo Domingo and Haiti and have especially consulted the following: JosÉ RamÓn Abad, Rudolf Cronau, Enrique Deschamps, JosÉ Gabriel GarcÍa, H. Harrisse, Samuel Hazard, Jacob H. Hollander, Antonio LÓpez Prieto, Fernando A. de MeriÑo, MÉdÉric Louis Elie Moreau de Saint-MÉry, Casimiro N. de Moya, F.A. Ober, Publications of the Dominican Government. Publications of the Bureau of American Republics Annual Reports of the General Receiver of Customs of the "Report of the United States Commission of Inquiry to Santo Domingo"; Emiliano Tejera, L. Gentil Tippenhauer, A. Hyatt Verrill, William Walton, Jr., O. S.New York, January, 1918. TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER I. Historical Sketch-Days of the Conquest—1492 to 1533Aborigines—Discovery—Founding of Isabela—Disaffection of the colonists—Indian wars—Oppression of the Indians—Founding of Santo Domingo City—Roldan's insurrection—Humiliation of Columbus—Ovando's administration—Extermination of the natives—Administrations of Diego Columbus—Treaty with Indian survivors. CHAPTER II. Historical Sketch—Colonial Vicissitudes—1533 to 1801Decline of the colony—English attacks on Santo Domingo City—Settlement of Tortuga by freebooters—French settlements in western Santo Domingo—Border wars—Cession of western coast to France—Return of prosperity—Effect of French Revolution—Negro uprising in French Santo Domingo—Rise of Toussaint l'Ouverture—Cession of Spanish Santo Domingo to France—Evacuation by Spain. CHAPTER III. Historical Sketch—Changes of Government—1801 TO 1844Rule of Toussaint l'Ouverture—Exodus of whites—Capture of Santo CHAPTER IV. Historical Sketch—First Republic and Spanish Annexation—1844 TO 1865.Constitution of the government—Santana's first administration—Wars Chapter V. Historical Sketch—Second Republic-Revolutions and Dictatorships—1863 TO 1904.Restoration of the Republic—Military presidents—Cabral's administration—Baez' fourth administration—Annexation negotiations with the United States—Civil wars—Heureaux's rule—Administrations of Jimenez, Vasquez and Woss y Gil—Election of Morales. Chapter VI. Historical Sketch—American Influence-1904 to date (1918)Financial difficulties—Fiscal convention with the United Chapter VII. Area and BoundariesArea of Republics of Haiti and Santo Domingo—Boundary Chapter VIII. Topography and ClimateMountains—Valleys and plains—Rivers—Lakes—Temperature and Chapter IX. Geology and MineralsRock formation—Mineral deposits—Gold-Copper—Iron—Coal—Silver—Salt—Building stone—Petroleum—Mineral springs—Earthquakes. Chapter X. Flora and FaunaAgricultural conditions—Land titles and measures—Wet and arid regions—Exports—Sugar—Cacao—Tobacco—Coffee—Tropical fruits—Forest products—Insects—Reptiles—Fishery—Birds—Cattle raising. Chapter XI. The PeoplePopulation—Distribution—Race—Descendants of American negroes—Language—Physical traits—Mental traits—Amusements—Dances, theatres, clubs, carnivals—Gaming—Morality—Homes. CHAPTER XII. ReligionCatholic religion—Concordat—Ownership of church buildings—Clergy—Religious sentiment—Shrines—Religious customs and holidays—Religious toleration—Protestant sects. CHAPTER XIII. Education and LiteratureEducation in Spanish times—Work of Hostos—School organization—Professional institute—Primary and secondary education—Literacy—Libraries—Newspapers—Literature—Fine arts. CHAPTER XIV. Means of Transportation and CommunicationRailroads-Samana—Santiago Railroad—Central Dominican CHAPTER XV. CommerceExports and imports—Foreign trade—Trade with the United CHAPTER XVI. Cities and TownsGeneral condition of municipalities—Santo Domingo City; ruins, CHAPTER XVII. The Remains of ColumbusBurial of Columbus—Disappearance of epitaph—Removal of remains in 1795—Discovery of remains in 1877—Resting-place of Discoverer of America. CHAPTER XVIII. GovernmentForm of CHAPTER XIX. Politics and RevolutionsPolitical parties—Elections—Relation between politics and revolutions—Conduct of revolutions—Casualties—Number of revolutions—Effect of revolutions. CHAPTER XX. Law and JusticeAudiencia of Santo Domingo—Legal system—Judicial CHAPTER XXI. The dominican debt and the fiscal treaty with the United States.Financial situation in 1905—Causes of debt—Amount of debt—Bonded debt—Liquidated debt—Floating debt—Declared claims—Undeclared claims—Surrender of Puerto Plata custom-house—Fiscal convention of 1905—Modus vivendi—Negotiations for adjustment of debt—New bond issue—Fiscal treaty of 1907—Adjustment with creditors—19l2 loan—Present financial situation. CHAPTER XXII. FinancesFinancial system—National revenues—Customs tariff—National budget—Legal tender—Municipal income—Municipal budgets. CHAPTER XXIII. The Future of Santo DomingoAttraction by the United States—Political future of Santo APPENDIX A. Chiefs of State of Santo Domingo, 1492-1918 APPENDIX B. Old Weights and Measures in Use in Santo Domingo APPENDIX C. American-Dominican Fiscal Convention of 1907 INDEXLIST OF ILLUSTRATIONSColumbus Monument on Cathedral Plaza, Santo Domingo City. Map of Santo Domingo Historic Gateway "La Puerta del Conde," where The Strongest Presidents of Santo Domingo: Four Prominent Dominicans: One of the Many Beautiful Spots on the Shores Partaking of Cocoanut-water Street in Bani Street in Puerto Plata A Roadside Store Building a House with the Products of the Palm-tree Room in "Casino de la Juventud," Santo Domingo City A Holiday Gathering, Santo Domingo City Ruins of San Francisco Church, Santo Domingo City A "Calvario" in the Road Road Scene: A Mudhole Wharf and Harbor of San Pedro de Macoris Entrance to Cathedral of Santo Domingo "House of Columbus," Ruins of Diego Columbus' Palace The "Tower of Homage," the oldest fortification erected by white men Puerto Plata Scene: Milkmen Puerto Plata Scene: The Ox as a Riding Animal Sanctuary of Santo Domingo Cathedral Diagram of Sanctuary of Cathedral Lead Box found in 1877 with Remains of Columbus Inscription on Lid of Lead Box Obverse Side of Silver Plate Reverse Side of Silver Plate The Bane of Santo Domingo: Intrenchment at Puerta del Conde during a revolution Independence Plaza, Santo Domingo City Cathedral Plaza, Santo Domingo City SANTO DOMINGO |
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