tracting parties signing them in the city of Santo Domingo this 8th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1907. "EMILIANO TEJERA, NOTE II THE Dominican Republic, occupying the eastern and larger half of the island of Santo Domingo or Hayti, has a total area of 18,045 square miles and a population of 610,000 inhabitants. Its area is thus equal to that of the States of Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, while its density of population is 34 per square mile, or one-half more than that of the United States (23.2 per square mile). The island is the second largest of the Antilles, lying between Cuba and Porto Rico, separated from the former by the Windward Passage and by Mona Passage from the latter. Its territory is divided between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Hayti. Its topography shows numerous elevations forming four almost parallel mountain ranges which considerably modify the otherwise tropical climate, and together with the sea breezes give Santo Domingo a most delightful climate. Mount Tina, 10,300 feet above sea level, is the highest peak on the island and in the West Indies. Santo Domingo for more than a century formed the basis of operations for the Spanish explorers and conquistadores, and the capital of the present Dominican Republic may justly lay claim to have been the metropolis of the vast colonial empire of Spain. The hard work and cruel treatment to which the Indians were subjected caused them to die in large numbers, and the introduction of slaves from Africa was begun as early as 1517, when 4,000 were introduced in one year. From 1820 to 1861 the Dominican Republic was independent or under the rule of the Haytians. In the year 1861, through constant fear of foreign invasion, the republic appealed to Spain for protection, and on March 18, 1861, was formally annexed to that country. This rule, however, soon became intolerable and a revolution, initiated at Capotillo on August 16, 1863, resulted in the restoration of the Dominican Republic, the Spanish Crown relinquishing all claim to the country on May 1, 1865. NOTE III THE prosperity prevailing in the Dominican Republic at the close of 1908 was amply demonstrated by the trade volume of the year, in which a gain of nearly $2,000,000 was recorded as compared with 1907. This was entirely on the side of exports. Cacao, sugar, and coffee which, with tobacco and bananas, constitute over 94 per cent. of the total exports, showed notable increases, shipments of cacao being reported as nearly double those of the year previous. The sum of $1,529,729.05 was deposited in New York for the service of the foreign debt and a generally favourable condition was noted in all lines of progress. Not only is the Dominican Government formulating extensive irrigation plans for the adequate cultivation of its land areas, but has also under consideration the construction of such railways as will place the products of the country within reach of the coast, special funds from the government revenues being set aside for this purpose. The recent establishment of an Academy of Fine Arts in the capital of the republic is an earnest of the stimulus given by the government to higher education. The declaration of amnesty for political offenders resulted in the return of many citizens to peaceful occupations in the country, thus assisting in the development of the resources of the republic. Financial conditions are in every way prosperous, and ample capital is available for the exploitation of the public works un dertaken by the government. On January 1, 1909, the republic was carrying in New York a credit balance of $6,616,850 in bonds and $947,973 in cash. The revenues of the republic in 1908 amounted to $4,175,033.24, of which sum $3,232,889.93 represented the amount of customs receipts, from which collections the receivership transmitted for deposit with the Morton Trust Company, in New York, the fiscal agent and designated depositary of the Dominican Loan, the sum of $1,529,729.05 to apply to the service of the debt. Of this sum $1,200,000 was for payment of interest and amortisation of the 5 per cent. customs administration sinking-fund gold bonds, as authorised by the terms of the American-Dominican convention. The Dominican National Congress has estimated the public receipts and expenditures of the republic for the fiscal year 1908-9 at $3,984,300. From customs it is estimated that $3,239,200 will be received; from internal taxes, $388,800; communication, $44,000; consular dues, $14,500; stamp tax, $60,000; and from certain specified state properties, $237,800. These receipts are distributed among the various administrative departments, the sum of $1,808,708 being assigned to the Department of Treasury and Commerce, of which $30,000 is to be expended in taking a census of the republic. The sum of $76,800 is also appropriated for extending existing railway construction and $75,000 for irrigation works in Monte Cristi Province. The building of roads, the construction and repair of light-houses, and other public improvements were authorised. COMMERCE Predictions heretofore made as to the betterment of trade conditions in the republic have been fully justified. The trade volume for the year was $14,613,807, as compared with $12,794,657 in 1907. Exports amounted to $9,486,344 and imports to $5,127,463. The gain indicated for the total com merce was entirely on the side of exports, imports showing an inconsiderable decline. The United States, Germany, and France, as in 1907, purchased the bulk of Dominican exports, while the same countries, with Great Britain, were the principal sources of imports. These countries figured in the order of value as follows: The leading article of export was cacao, amounting to 41,903,470 pounds and valued at $4,269,047. Over two-thirds of the cacao crop went to Germany, the remainder being equally divided between the United States and France. The yield was nearly double that of the preceding year. The sugar crop amounted to 69,703 tons, valued at $3,092,429. The tobacco yield was valued at $1,009,608. The railway mileage of the republic has been increased to about 150. Altogether a very encouraging state of affairs for the Dominicans and the owners of their bonds. Total imports for the year 1909 valued in U. S. currency amounted to $4,425,913. Total exports for same period, $8,113,690. Veins of auriferous quartz are found all along the central mountain chain, and alluvial gold is found in numerous places in the north. Copper is next in importance on account of the quantities in which it is found. Iron is found in immense quantities in several sections of the country and coal deposits abound in the extensive valley lying between the central range, or the Gran Cordillera and the Cordillera Setentrional, or Monte Cristi chain, those of the Pacificador district being the best known. The petroleum belt measures over 190 square miles in area, oil being found in abundance in the Province of Azua. Silver has been obtained in a very pure state from the Tanci mine in the Puerto Plata municipality and deposits of this metal are found in other sections of the country, as well as deposits of platinum, quicksilver, and tin. Large salt deposits also exist in the mountains west of Neyba, the salt being perfectly pure, and the deposits give evidence of containing salt in inexhaustible quantities. At Caldera Bay salt is obtained from sea water by solar evaporation. During the last ten years the Dominican Republic has exported cabinet and construction woods, mahogany, lignumvitæ, satinwood, etc., to the value of considerably over half a million dollars. On the other hand it has imported, during the same period, practically all the lumber used for building purposes, costing in round numbers about $2,000,000. This condition exists in spite of the fact that there are on the island great forests of excellent building woods. These include many varieties of great economic value, but the one which is best known to the lumberman and which probably exists in the largest quantity is the yellow pine. It has been variously estimated that there are from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 acres of merchantable pine in the republic. NOTE IV SANTO DOMINGO is doubtless rich in minerals, but owing to the "civic commotions" of the past twenty years the development of its mineral resources has hardly begun. The interior of Santo Domingo is to scientific research a virgin field. The most reliable information obtainable on this subject is the report of William P. Blake, geologist, printed as Executive Document of the Senate, No. 9, Forty-second Congress. In this report Mr. Blake says: |