Minister Dawson to the Secretary of State.

No. 193.]

Sir: Continuing the subject of my No. 185, of the 18th instant, political conditions in this Republic, I am glad to be able to report that the revolutionary movement in Seybo, Macoris, and Santo Domingo provinces, referred to therein, seems by latest information to be in process of complete disintegration and suppression.

About the 14th one of the subordinate revolutionary chiefs in Seybo Province surrendered, with 15 followers, to the rural guard. On the 18th, Berroa, the active head of the whole movement, being then in hiding in the woods back of Hato Mayor, asked the acting American consular agent at Macoris, whom he had reason to believe was personally well disposed, to offer mediation with a view to arranging terms of surrender. The consular agent referred the matter to me, and I immediately brought it to the attention of the minister of foreign affairs, taking care to present it in a way not calculated to give offense. The minister replied by showing me a telegram received within the hour from the governor of Seybo, announcing the capture of Berroa and three of his companions after a resistance in which one of the latter was wounded.

I inclose herewith a copy of the consular agent’s letter to me and a copy and translation of Berroa’s letter to him.

Through a Dominican friend who was present I learn that the village of Boca Chica did in fact pronounce against the government when Berroa fled from Macoris. But the revolution failing to gain headway elsewhere, the Boca Chica leaders took to the woods as soon as the government landed a small expedition at that port.

[Page 407]

The governor of Seybo is receiving much praise for the energy and tact he has displayed, and especially for his having taken vigorous steps, under instructions from President Morales, to punish Gen. Teofilo Estrella, who ordered shot without process of law a certain Timoteo Guzman, suspected by him of complicity with the disturbances. Estrella is in prison charged with murder.

On the whole, I feel justified in reporting that in my opinion the chances of avoiding a civil war seem much better than when I last wrote. Nevertheless, the condition is one of unstable equilibrium and some unforeseeable and unpreventable event may occur to give the lie to my favorable forecast.

I have, etc.,

T. C. Dawson.
[Inclosure 1.]

Consular Agent Reed to Minister Dawson.

Sir: Not aware that I had relieved Mr. Friedheim as acting consular agent at this place on the 17th instant, Mr. Berroa Canelo, insurrectionist, addressed a letter to Mr. Friedheim, under date of the 19th instant, which the latter received yesterday, asking him to exercise his good offices with the Dominican Government with the object of the ultimate surrender of the said Canelo. Mr. Friedheim, of course, turned this letter over to me at once, and I beg to inclose the same to you to take such action as in your good judgment it appears best to do, assuring you only of one thing—that you will gain the gratitude of the whole sugar interests around this place if, through your kind intervention, entire peace is restored in this district, which is of the utmost importance to the planters here to see solidly established during the grinding and manufacturing of the coming sugar crop.

I have, etc.,

E. C. Reed.
[Subinclosure.—Translation.]

Señor Canelo to Mr. Friedheim.

Dear Sir: Informed by a mutual friend, who is worthy of belief, that you, if I authorize it, would have no objections to ask of the National Government guaranties for myself and my followers with the purpose of reestablishing the national peace in this region, I come Ly this letter to give you full powers to ask such guaranties in the form that you may judge best, but under the following conditions:

1.
Suspension of hostilities from the time you take any action.
2.
I will not surrender myself to any authority, but will go in the capacity of a person given asylum from the place where I may be to the American vice-consulate.
3.
The government of Macoris shall grant me safe conduct for foreign parts.
4.
The other persons who are with me shall present themselves before the governor of Macoris, who shall give them safe conduct—to those who ask it—for other parts of the Republic at the choice of the persons so presenting themselves. Neither those who leave nor those who remain in Macoris shall be interfered with on account of the fact that they have accompanied me in this revolutionary movement.
5.
I shall give a letter of identification for use when they present themselves to the persons who are under my orders in other camps, but who are not in the headquarters camp.
6.
Neither now nor hereafter may the government molest me in my person or interacts on account of this revolution.
7.
All political prisoners must be placed immediately at liberty.
8.
The arms captured by the revolutionary forces from the government troops shall be given back.

Further, you are authorized to modify or add to these conditions within the limits of what is reasonable and lawful, keeping in mind that the guaranties must be ample and for all.

I thank you in advance, and am your obedient servant,

Q. Berroa Canelo