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Appendix No. 9. Treaty signed by the President of San Domingo Republic, on the 10th January, 1873. Under another Decree, passed the 25th March, 1874, the rights of the Company were confiscated on the ground of non-payment of a stipulated annual rent.
SAN DOMINGO.
In the United States' " Army and Navy Journal," of the 10th December, 1881, it was stated that the "Despatch," United States' war-vessel, was to proceed immediately to Samaná Gulf, to be engaged in its survey; and that it was the general impression that the selection of Samaná Gulf for this careful survey, after the one so recently made, looks like a revival of the Samaná Bay scheme, which was such a prominent feature of President Grant's Administration.
A Dominican war-ship was at once sent to the gulf to watch the proceedings of the "Despatch." According to the Journal above quoted, number of the 11th February, 1882, the "Despatch" is at Samaná Bay prosecuting the survey; and in the same Journal, 18th February, 1882, it is stated that the survey is progressing rapidly, and the results so far obtained are encouraging, disclosing the capacity and security of the harbour.
If Samaná Bay is taken possession of by either the United States, or any other prominent Power, it cannot be disputed that a considerable change will be caused in the balance of power in the West Indies; but speaking with all due diffidence on a subject which is one rather for a naval than a military opinion, it appears rather an exaggeration to call Samana Bay the "military and commercial key of the Gulf of Mexico.'
That Samaná Gulf, safe and commodious when once entered, with narrows easily defensible, may, by a sufficient expenditure, be transformed into a war-harbour, in which a whole fleet might take refuge, and from which cruizers might sally out to attack the great European and Gulf line of traffic, viâ St. Thomas, is evident; but with its powers of mischief, if so utilized in hostile hands, its first-class importance appears to end; in fact, it would be more just to call it a place of strategical rather than commercial value. It is true, under settled government, the rich valley of the Vega, watered by the Yuna, with its current of 4 miles an hour, can pour into the gulf an immense supply of agricultural and mineral products, sufficient to nourish a considerable port and trade; but whether that trade will spring up is another matter. The river is at present choked up, the harbour has a narrow entrance, a prevailing dead head wind to outward-bound vessels; they must therefore face the expense of a long tow, and when outside, they find themselves, whether going eastward or westward, with long stretches of lee shore; under these circumstances the port can never prove attractive to large sea-going sailing- There ships, and to small coasters and traders, who cannot afford to be constantly towed, even less so. remains, then, only the steamers; but although some lines-the Suez Canal, for instance-depend almost exclusively on steam traffic, that is due to their being no alternative rival route. A port equally suitable for both sailing-ships and steamers must beat one which is suitable for steamers alone; besides, the great lines of steam traffic have already run into the St. Thomas' groove, and even they would incur a considerable loss of time if they visited Samaná in working out again, and round the east of St. Domingo; a loss of time for which there appears to be no adequate compensation in the superior attractions of Samaná over St. Thomas.
If the opinion expressed of the commercial prospects of Samaná are just, it appears very impro- bable that the United States will really expend, in creating a purely war naval-station at Samaná Bay, large sums which are greatly needed nearer home, for their own neglected harbour defences. It is also to be remembered that the occupier of Samaná will have upon his hands the unsettled politics of San Domingo-a task that neither France nor Spain, old occupants of the island, have cared to
resume.
On the whole, it seems probable that the Samaná Bay scheme need occasion no very great alarm, it may possibly afford an excuse for political display or international disagreement; but it will prac- tically, for some time to come, be a weakly and artificial creation, rather than a dangerous naval or commercial rival to places already in existence.
Appendix No. 10.
Appendix No. 10.
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO SUEZ AND PANAMA CANALS.
No. 1.
13, Delahay Street, December 6, 1879.
Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to Foreign Office. (Confidential.) Sir,
I AM directed by the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to inform you that their attention having been drawn to the importance of maintaining com- munication with the East through the Suez Canal, they are desirous of ascertaining whether any steps have been taken to insure the neutrality of the Canal in the event of war, and if so, what are the nature and provisions of the agreement in this respect.
I am further to ask whether, in the event of ocean communication being established between the Atlantic and Pacific across the Isthmus of Panamá, it is in contemplation to take similar measures to secure its neutrality.
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I have, &c. (Signed)
HERBERT JEKYLL.
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