October 17.-Possession of Puerto Plata custom-house delivered to John T. Abbott, vice-president of Improvement Company, and appointed by President as financial agent ad hoc. This was on demand of American minister after strenuous diplomatic resistance by the Dominican Government. Latter reserves right to attack hereafter the reasonableness of the award, and begs the Improvement Company to allow it, at least temporarily, to use a portion of the revenue from that port in paying salaries in the northern provinces. Improvement at first allows such help at the rate of $20,000 a month-Puerto Plata revenues run from $50,000 to $100,000 a month-but withdraws it in a week. This action increases already bitter feeling existing toward Judge Abbott and his company, especially on the part of the Government and the political and commercial community at Puerto Plata and Santiago. Merchants who had made short-time loans on the security of the current customs are deprived of means to collect; employees are dismissed and salaries cut down, while the authorities at Santo Domingo are compelled to draw from the already depleted revenues of Santo Domingo and Marcoris funds to meet budget expenses in the Cibao. Improvement Company offers to guarantee the Government $30,000 monthly if the latter will request Judge Abbott to take charge of all four northern ports. Horacistas threaten revolution against Morales if he consents. November 12.-Italian chargé protests against award on the ground that it interferes with the government's ability to begin payments in November on Italian protocols. French chargé insists that the payment of $310,000 a year to French and Belgian bondholders be immediately resumed. November 27.--President Morales begs that American Government take charge of custom collections at all ports as soon as his Horacista ministers become convinced that loan can not be obtained to meet improvement installments of $37,500 monthly and to facilitate arrangement with other foreign creditors. November 30.-German war ship Bremen makes visit to capital. Her commander sees Dominical officials and European chargés, but not the American minister. December.-Minister of finance returns from Santiago and Puerto Plata, having met with no encouragement in regard to proposed provisional loan; finds it impossible to obtain from creditors concessions necessary to enable Government to continue in existence. December 15.-Belgian chargé arrives from Habana to insist on renewal of payments to French and Belgian bondholders interrupted since early in 1902. He and French chargé intimate to American minister that system similar to that in force at Puerto Plata under award should be applied to the southern ports upon whose revenue receipts those payments are first chargeable. French fleet proceeds from Martinique to Port au Prince, and its intention of soon visiting Santo Domingo is announced. December 30.-Negotiations looking to collection of customs by American Government at all ports begun. 1905. January.-Spanish chargé endeavors to block Morales's negotiations with American Government by assuring Tejera that German banks stand ready to furnish money for refunding loan. Tejera declines to bring suggestion before his associates of the Horacista party, which controls the executive council and Congress. January 21.-Draft of proposed customs-collecting and debt-arranging convention signed; is immediately published by Morales in order to reassure public, which believes that annexation had been extended; insurrectionary plots cease; terms when known are exceptionally well received throughout the country except at Monte Christi. Admiral Sigsbee proceeds there. General amnesty declared. January 29.-Local banker at Santo Domingo agrees to advance $75,000 a month to Government on security of turning over to him of the revenues of all ports except Puerto Plata; these advances to be temporary and pending the negotiation and ratification of a convention. February 4.-In view of Governor Arias's hostile attitude the Government requests the United States to take charge of Monte Christi custom-house under provision of improvement award. February 7.-Convention signed and sent to Washington. February 10.-Admiral Sigsbee obtains Arias's consent and Lieutenant-Commander Leiper, U. S. Navy, is peaceably installed in charge of Monte Christi custom-house as collector under the award. March 14.-Italian war ship Calabria arrives; her commander has instructions to insist on fulfillment of Italian protocols; on being informed of the provisions of the pending convention and of the financial position of the Dominican Government he becomes convinced that an acceptance of its terms by all parties offers the best security for an ultimate discharge by the Dominican Government of its obligations. March 20.-Calabria leaves for Kingston. March 20.-News of Senate's adjournment without ratifying the convention received at Santo Domingo. Immediate activity in revolutionary plottings throughout the Republic. Government doubles guards and arrests prominent Jimenistas. March 23.-Belgian chargé formally demands immediate resumption of payments to French and Belgian creditors. Threatens to withdraw at once to Habana. Italian chargé, at request of Italian creditors, sends for Calabria. March 24.-Minister of finance proposes that American minister take charge of all customs collections as agent for Dominican Government, paying 45 per cent thereof to Government for its budgetary expenses and holding 55 per cent for the creditors. American minister declines. Minister of finance then proposes that the President of the United States suggest an experienced customs man and a bank of deposit. Finding upon inquiry that such arrangement met the approval of all foreign creditors represented at Santo Domingo, American minister communicates the proposition to Washington. March 28.-Calabria returns and remains about two weeks. March 29.-President of United States consents to suggest American for customs receiver and an American bank to act as depositary. March 31.-Dominican Government issues decree putting into effect proposed financial modus vivendi. April 4.-George R. Colton's name is suggested by President Roosevelt and he is immediately appointed general customs receiver by Dominican Government. April 10.-Dr. J. H. Hollander arrives as special agent to investigate details of Dominican financial situation. April 25.-Colton enters upon the discharge of his duties; leaves Dominicans in custom-houses; puts Americans in central office, in traveling auditor's department, and on Haitian frontier. Organizes customs guard to prevent contraband over Haitian frontier, and puts into effect rigid and exact accounting system. The customs revenues immediately began to rise, and by the end of a year were almost double what they had been under exclusively Dominican administration. The proportion received by the Dominican Government gives the latter a larger and more regularly paid cash income than any administration had ever had at its disposal. Salaries paid promptly and armed forces begin to be put on better footing. May 11.-Admiral Bradford replaces Sigsbee in Dominican waters. June 1.-Lamarche made minister of interior and Leonte Vasquez of public works. June 9.-Law providing for rural guard on Cuban system passed. June 24.-Epifanio Rodriguez resigns as minister of war to take governorship of La Vega in place of Guayabin, who is disgruntled with Morales because the latter has not protected him from criticism in Congress on account of alleged arbitrary acts. Perez takes war portfolio. July 1.-Candelario de la Rosa heads small insurrectionary movement in Barahona Province; suppressed in few weeks. August 7.-Montolio, formerly Morales's private secretary, succeeds Pelegrin Castillo as minister of justice. September.-Under modus vivendi administration running with smoothness unprecedented in Dominican history; power now being worth having and permanency of Government assured; rival ambitions in ruling combination begin to clash. Sanchez, Perez, B. Pichardo, and Montolio line up with Morales, giving him five of the eight votes in the executive council. The straight-out Horacista ministers, Velasquez, Lamarche, and Leonte Vasquez, fear they will be dismissed, but know they can count on the support of Caceres and Horacio Vasquez, a majority of Congress and the much-feared Horacista generals from the Cibao, as well as the dominant element in the capital. October 20.—Caceres, having become convinced that Morales is intriguing to expel Horacistas from participation in the administration and to replace them with Jimenistas or independents, suddenly visits the capital and demands the dismissal of Perez and B. Pichardo. Morales yields with bad grace. Perez sent as governor to Puerto Plata. Luis Tejera and Eladio Victoria enter cabinet, giving straight-out Horacistas control of executive. November 6.-Small insurrectionary outbreak near Macoris headed by Berroa Canelo, nominally in Jimenez's interest, but is suspected of having secretly fomented by Morales. Suppressed within ten days. November.-Strained relations between Morales and Horacista having become publicly known, the former receives many assurances of Jimenista support. A representative of Arias and Rodriguez comes to capital and president makes secret arrangement with him. Minister Lamarche goes to Cibao to rouse Horacistas to a sense of the threatening danger. President discusses publicly with friends the advisability of reorganizing the cabinet; makes tentative offers of positions in it. November 26.-President requests minister of war to dismiss the commanding officer of the Santo Domingo garrison. On refusal he verbally announces his intention of dismissing all the Horacista ministers. November 27.-Minister of war closes gate of fort and gives orders that no resistance be made if American forces are landed to protect American lives and the custom-house. President retires to his residence. Street conflict imminent. with chances decidedly against President. Contending factions request American minister to be present at interview between leaders with view of facilitating compromise. Agreed that garrison commander be dismissed and that all positions outside of Monte Christi be held by known Horacistas. Caceres arrives and Morales renews former agreement to consult him before making any changes in cabinet. Luis Tejera made garrison commander and Ginebra takes war portfolio. December 5.-At Caceres's request majority of Congressmen caucus and agree in writing to vote for ratification of convention providing it be so modified as to provide that American intervention to preserve order can not be invoked without the consent of Congress. December 6.-Many Horacistas believe that Sanchez is counseling Morales to make up a coup d'état, suspend constitution, and make himself dictator. Threats of killing Sanchez made by radical Horacistas; he sends word to Admiral Bradford that he is in danger of his life and that street fighting is imminent. Admiral sends landing parties from Olympia and Des Moines to Scorpion, which is anchored inside the river. Populace flies to arms, believing that the Americans are about to attack city and forcibly sustain Morales. Band of armed men enter palace with intention of killing President, who, they believe, has requested such intervention. American minister is present and at his request Caceres induces mob to leave palace. Sanchez takes refuge in American consulate. Great excitement, but no further disorder. Admiral withdraws landing parties. Lives of all resident Americans threatened by excited and irresponsible Dominicans. Sanchez resigns. December 18.-E. Tejera made minister of foreign affairs. December 22.-Perez takes measures to hold Puerto Plata for Morales, expecting to receive word of definite breach immediately. December 23.-Morales consents to cabinet decree removing Perez, but secretly sends him word not to obey it. December 24.-Morales clandestinely leaves capital with small party; intends to go to Monte Christi either overland or by gunboat, if the latter can pick him up on the coast. Commander of gunboat unable immediately to act with Morales because of orders from minister of war sending troops on board for transportation. December 25.-Perez surrenders governorship of Puerto Plata to government nominee and sails for Monte Christi to join Jiministas there. Deember 26.-Morales breaks his leg trying to cross the Hiana River only 10 miles west of capital. Local "jefes" of Jaina resist government forces sent to capture Morales. He escapes into the woods near the road from the city to Jaina and lies concealed. With him is Enrique Jimenez, whom he had sent for to take position in his proposed new cabinet. December 26.-Arias, Pichardo, Navarro, and Rodriguez pronounce Monte Christi. Gunboat deserts Government with arms and money on board and takes them to Monte Christi. 1906. January 1.-Special session of Congress impeaches President and calls on vice-president to exercise his functions pending trial. Bloody January 2.-Rodriguez, Perez, and Deschamps, having landed forces brought from Monte Christi on gunboat near Puerto Plata, attack latter town. fight; 700 engaged; losses 162; insurgents defeated after entering town and Rodriguez killed. Same day Pichardo and Navarro, having marched up valley on Santiago, attack that town; they are easily defeated by superior numbers. January 5.-Gunboat lands force under Barba and Perez on Samana peninsula; Sanchez attacked. January 10.-Pichardo and Navarro defeated by Guayabin at Guayacanes and driven back on Monte Christi. January 11.-Morales takes asylum in American legation. January 12.-Morales resigns and is taken to San Juan by U. S. S. Dubuque, Captain Fechteler. January 13.-Gunboat surrendered to Government in Samana Bay. Good offices of U. S. S. Paducah, Captain Winterhalter, asked by both sides and successfully given. January 15.-Government forces enter Monte Christi, and Arias and others take asylum on board American war ships. Are taken to San Juan by U. S. S. Nashville, Captain Chambers. Insurrection over except for operations of small bands in country districts. January 22.-Band under Pedro Mota and Peguero cross Samana Bay to Seybo Province and they are relentlessly chased through the woods and hills by Rubirosa and Presbyterio Hernandez for a month and are finally killed, captured, or dispersed. January 27.-Barba surrenders on Samana peninsula. January 31.-The two bands out in Barahona Province surrender. February 10.-Cepin starts insurrectionary movement near Dajabon. Caceres announces his intention of resigning and calling Congress together to elect Vasquez, on account of pressure on him to dismiss Velasquez, minister of finance, brought to bear by merchants and military leaders in the Cibao. February 15.-Dandelario de la Rosa starts an insurrectionary movement in Barahona Province. Zenon Ovando drives him into Haiti. February 19.-Caceres agrees to serve out his term or at least until convention shall be ratified; this on account of urgent desire of more conservative and cautious element of his party. March 7.-Vasquez arrives at Santo Domingo; his first visit for three years. He puts himself in accord with Caceres-Tejera-Valesquez programme in regard to convention ratification and economy in administration. March 7.-Cepin killed in course of negotiations between Guayabin and insurgents for agreement as to local authorities at Dajabon, Guayabin, and Sabaneta. Insurgents under Mauricio Jimenez determine to make uncompromising resistance to Government. Mauricio is quickly joined by several hundreds, but is not able to undertake aggressive or extensive operations owing to lack of ammunition. March 14.-Montolio retires from cabinet and his place taken by Bido. April.-Guayabin leaves Monte Christi for visit to capital in order to get more money and reach understanding with central authorities. Insurrection gains ground. April 20.-Congress passes law exempting sugar from taxation after August 1. May 19.-Government buildings rushed in in night by 20 men. June 9.-Velasquez goes to the United States in order to make arrangement facilitating a quick voluntary settlement or refund of debt immediately on the ratification of the convention and without compelling all creditors to await the completion of the investigations of a commission. Success would relieve current stringency beginning to be felt on account of heavy remittances to New York by receiver-general. June. Congress passes resolution declaring Italian protocols invalid; Italian consul protests. Camacho's Limardo takes Guayabin's place as delegate in Monte Christi. July.-Limardo's conciliatory offers rejected by insurgents. attempts to catch and decisively defeat them also fruitless. Government troops desert in large numbers. August 6.-Thurston and Milbourn, Americans in employ of general receiver, are killed by smugglers at Las Matas, a town near the Haitian frontier and for generations a center for contraband trade from Port-au-Prince. Ringleaders are allowed by local authorities to escape into Haiti, where they are captured by Haitian officials and sent to Port-au-Prince. August.-Navarro lands on Monte Christi coast; Pichardo comes out of his hiding place in the interior; both join Mauricio. Insurgents take the aggressive and capture ammunition at Dajabon and Guayabin. August 20.-Archbishop and ex-President Merino dies; Adolfo Nouel, coadjutor archbishop, succeeds him. September 20.-Large reenforcements sent to Monte Christi with Zenon Ovando, Justan Diaz, Zenon Toribio, and Presbyterio Hernandez as generals to assist Camacho. Government abandons policy of conciliation. September 28.-Velasquez returns successful from the United States. September 30.-Chief murderers of Thurston and Milbourn brought to Santo Domingo from Port-au-Prince. The Acting Secretary of State to Chargé Pollock. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 31, 1906. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Dawson's No. 309, of the 18th instant, stating that he had prepared and left on file at the legation a chronological statement of political events in the Dominican Republic since the independence of the country, and inclosing a copy of it for the department's files. The department commends the care and labor bestowed upon the preparation of this valuable paper. I am, etc., ROBERT BAcon. SIR: I have the honor to inclose you a memorandum on the Dominican-Haitian boundary question. The material for this memorandum I have obtained from numerous sources during the last year and a half-principally conversations with the former and present Dominican ministers of foreign affairs and the Haitian minister plenipotentiary here accredited. There seems to be no disposition on the part of either Government to press the matter at the present moment, but you will observe that the question is in such a condition that it might, without warning, assume an acute phase. About the middle of the eighteenth century the French settlements on the island of Santo Domingo occupied nearly one-third its area. They covered a |