Minister Dawson to
the Secretary of State.
[Extracts.]
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo, February 2,
1906.
No. 211.]
Sir: Continuing the subject of my No. 203, of
January 16, political events in this Republic, I have the honor to
report that after the surrender of the Independencia on the 13th and 14th, General Barba refused to
lay down his arms and kept up a desultory resistance until the 27th. On
that day I received the following telegram from the acting consular
agent at Sanchez:
Sanchez, January 27, 1906.
Dawson, Santo Domingo:
Barba surrendered. Peace reestablished.
Leroux.
I inclose herewith a copy of Mr. Leroux’s very complete report to me of
the events at Sanchez and copies and translations of the preliminary and
final agreements made in regard to the surrender of the Independencia.
On receiving word through me that Catrain was authorized by the
Government to receive the Independencia she was
delivered to him, and shortly thereafter Catrain went in the Nashville to San Juan. The Nashville had brought Arias down from Monte Christi meanwhile
and took him also to San Juan.
Perez, however, determined to throw his lot in again with the Horacistas
and remained at Sanchez, offering his services to the Government as
represented by General Cabrera. The cabinet here distrusted him and his
application for a commission was refused. Thereupon he enlisted as a
private and is now at La Vega practically exercising a command.
In Monte Christi Province all resistance seems to have ceased on the
15th, when Arias fled on board an American man-of-war. On the 16th
Navarro and Gulito Pichardo laid down their arms and returned to their
homes. About the same time Neney Cepin and his band at Copey accepted
the Government’s terms.
In the Barahona district, where news of events in the rest of the
Republic is hard to get, two guerrilla bands remained under arms until
lately. The Government sent the Independencia on
the 25th to Petit Trou, a little port 30 miles south of Barahona. The
insurrectionary
[Page 552]
band there
promptly dispersed. At the same time the band which had been threatening
Barahona from the northwest was attacked and defeated. The rebels
surrendered on the usual guaranties of life and property on the
31st.
Early in January a few Jimenistas took up arms at Comenclador and Banica,
frontier towns in the very center of the island. A plot was also formed
at San Juan, a large town in Azua Province some 50 miles northwest of
Azua city. The governor went up there with 125 men and encountered no
resistance.
About the 22d some twenty men, under the leadership of Pedro Mota and
Peguero, appeared near Hato Mayor, a town in Seybo Province situated
midway between Samana Bay and the south coast. Some of them, at least,
had come from Monte Christi on the Independencia
and crossed to Savana la Mar, with the idea of making a plundering
expedition in virgin territory where the Government was expecting no
trouble. A few local malcontents joined them, and after entering Hato
Mayor they turned west, threatening Bayaguana, a town in this province
30 miles northeast of here, and then came into the sparsely settled
savanas near the coast. When last reported they were about 15 or 20
miles east-northeast in a region where effective pursuit is difficult.
Peguero has been wounded, and day before yesterday Mota asked for terms
of surrender.
This body, so far as I know—and my means of information are good—is the
only one remaining under arms in the whole Republic.
Barba’s operations at Sanchez had some importance because he had at the
beginning 200 men. The other bands which I have been describing were
insignificant in numbers and were composed of professional guerrillas,
who regarded the insurrection as a convenient pretext for robbing
henroosts and cattle pastures, with the hope of worrying the Government
into paying them to surrender as cheaper than chasing them.
The fact that fewer of such plundering bands were organized than during
any previous insurrection is a gratifying indication that everywhere,
even in the disorderly provinces on the Haitian frontier, the
revolutionary classes are discouraged. The political leaders, knowing or
thinking that by violence they can not get control of the Central
Government, that control of provincial governments would not be decisive
under the present arrangement, and that they can not get their hands on
custom-houses, do not excite the local “jefes” and professional fighters
to take up arms.
I have, etc., etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Mr. Leroux to
Minister Dawson.
American Consular Agency,
Sanchez, Dominican
Republic, January 26,
1906.
Sir: I have the honor to report upon the
recent events at this place, as far as they came under my
observation from January 4 to this date.
- 2.
- The U. S. S. Newport was in port on
January 4 and was joined by the U. S. S. Paducah and Eagle on that
day.
- 3.
- Early in the forenoon of January 5 I received a telephone
message from the United States consular agent at Samana stating
that the gunboat Independencia was in the
bay, and begging me to urge the senior officer present to
[Page 553]
send one of our
gunboats to Samana at once. This I did, and very soon afterwards
the Paducah and Newport were steaming toward Samana. The Clyde Line
steamer Cherokee appeared in the bay and
went to Samana soon after. The Independencia landed near Cabeza de Toro nearly 100
men, with several generals from Puerto Plata, including Fermen
Perez and Barba, the latter in chief command. The Newport convoyed the Cherokee, upon her leaving Samana, to Sanchez. On the
Cherokee were Carlos Ginebra,
minister of war, and a numerous staff. Ammunition belonging to
the Government was landed from the Cherokee both at Samana and Sanchez. Two lighters,
carrying about 30 men, which had left Sanchez during the night
of January 4 to 5 to reenforce Samana, were captured by the Independencia, the men were made
prisoners, and later taken to Monte Christi.
- 4.
- On January 6, 1.50 p.m., rapid firing began and the water
front near the wharf was soon in the possession of the attacking
party. It was clear at once that they had gotten all around the
town and to the westward; bullets were dropping into the water
across the wharf and many flying through the square on which are
the United States consulate and the custom-house. These two
buildings were repeatedly struck, the former mostly on the roof,
the latter on its western side. A rough sketch showing the
surroundings is inclosed, marked “A.” At 2.05, seeing the
imminent danger to which the consulate and customhouse was
exposed, I hoisted the flag jack down, the signal previously
agreed upon for the daytime, should I need protection for these
places. The Eagle’s landing force
promptly responded, and 23 men in charge of Ensign Brooks
occupied the consulate. At one time, except for the fort, the
attacking party was practically in possession of the town. Later
on the Government forces which were concentrated in the fort
came down and drove out the attacking forces. To show how close
to the consulate all this took place I may say that one of the
attacking generals, Sandoval, forced his way into the consulate,
but retired when he saw the Eagle’s force
in possession. No demonstration at any time on the part of this
force was necessary, the moral effect of their presence being
quite sufficient. I may add that at no time was any feeling
shown or expressed regarding our occupation, both parties
considering our claims to the consulate and custom-house quite
natural and our protection to both as relieving an embarrassing
situation for both of them. The good nature of both combatants
can not be too highly commended. Probably the ammunition of the
attacking force gave out, for the fire slackened as they
withdrew about 2.40 p.m. The hospital steward of the Eagle came on shore and rendered valuable
assistance. There were 38 wounded and 4 killed in this fight,
all belonging to the town, and included among the wounded 2
women. The casualties among the attacking force could not be
ascertained.
- 5.
- The Newport left the bay for San Pedro
de Macoris early January 6. The Paducah
remained at anchor until January 8, when she came here, and the
Eagle went to Samana. A small force
from the Paducah relieved the force from
the Eagle at the consulate, but was
entirely withdrawn on January 13.
- 6.
- On January 7 the Independencia left the
bay for Monte Christi. She had not been able to procure coal,
and her bunkers were nearly empty.
- 7.
- On January 9 before 8 o’clock a.m., Sanchez was again attacked
from the northeast, but the defenders maintained their ground in
the face of heavy firing for about a quarter of an hour. This
day I paid my official visit to the U. S. S. Paducah, Commander A. G. Winterhalter, U. S. Navy,
commanding, senior officer present in Samana Bay, was very
cordially received, and on leaving saluted with 5 guns.
- 8.
- Five attacks at different times were made on Sanchez during
the day of January 10, but all were successfully repulsed. In
town 1 man was killed and 5 wounded during these attacks.
- 9.
- On January 12 the Independencia
returned from Monte Christi and landed men, arms, and ammunition
near Santa Capuza, where the insurgents now have their camp. The
Seminole came in from Puerto Plata
and left for San Pedro de Macoris. She landed arms and
ammunition at Sanchez and Samana under the direction of Ginebra,
who was returning on her to the capital. The Independencia had no coal, was burning logwood and
lignum-vitae. At 1.28 p.m. I received from you the following
telegram:
“Santo Domingo,
January 12, 1906,
“American
Consul, Sanchez:
“Morales here; has resigned; leaves country; all
quiet.
“Dawson.”
- 10.
- I joined with Mr. A. M. Landias, consul for Cuba, and L. E.
Boyrie, consular agent for France, in a conference on board the
U. S. S. Paducah between Gen. Luis Maria
Cabrera, in chief command of the Government troops, on the one
hand, and the commander of the Independencia, Francisco Catrain, and Gen. Fermin
Perez, on the other hand, in order to offer our good services in
the interest of peace. In consideration of your telegram, and
the facts that both Catrain and Perez regarded themselves not as
opponents of the Government but as Moralistas, terms of
surrender were soon verbally arranged, and were on the following
day consummated by the formal articles, copy inclosed, marked
“B.”
- 11.
- In the meanwhile, and as facilitating the progress of
negotiations, I had received from you the following telegram:
“Santo Domingo,
January 13, 1906.
“American
Consul, Sanchez:
“Government will agree that Catrain and Perez may remain
on American war ship until they take passage Seminole, Turks Island or New
York. Consult American captain, whose aid I would
appreciate.
“Dawson.”
- 12.
- On January 15, together with the consuls mentioned in
paragraph 10, I visited the camp of General Barba at Arroyo
Higuero to tender our good offices, as Barba was now the only
disturbing element in Samana Bay.
- 13.
- On January 16, we met Barba, with his staff, on board the Paducah, but could accomplish no more for
the subject of peace than obtain his assurance that his
operations would conform to civilized usage. He would continue
fighting.
- 14.
- On January 18, the Nashville having
come in, I went in the Paducah’s steam
launch and brought Barba and staff from camp for an interview
with Commander W. I. Chambers. At the conclusion of this Barba
returned on shore as unyielding as before. The same may be said
of an interview on board the Scorpion, on
January 21, between Barba and his commander, W. H. H.
Southerland, senior officer present, commanding naval force in
Santo Domingo waters. However, his followers were becoming
discontented, several desertions had taken place, and supplies
were said to be running short. A commission of two citizens of
Sanchez next visited Barba on January 22 without result.
- 15.
- Several small attacks of minor importance have been made from
day to day. General Cabrera has been able to resist them without
trouble owing to the reenforcements he has obtained.
- 16.
- To-day negotiations with Barba through General Cabrera are
looking to a peaceful issue. Barba has virtually agreed to
surrender with 110 men, arms and ammunition, in consideration of
being allowed to remain in the country peaceably with amnesty
for all his followers. This is a most satisfactory conclusion,
and there is no doubt whatever that the various conferences
which have been held with him have done much to wear down his
resistance. A further conference between Vasquez, Cabrera, and
Barba in Santiago or Moca is to be held shortly, when terms will
be definitely made. Until then there is suspension of
hostilities, and from now on Samana Bay may look forward to an
era of peace.
- 17.
- In concluding this account I must express to you and through
you to the State Department my profound appreciation of the
efficient aid rendered throughout all the trying days of this
month by the vessels, crews, and officers of the United States
Navy stationed here, but more especially by the senior officer
present in Samana Bay and his good ship Paducah, without whom my effort at maintaining
American dignity and the efforts of the consuls to procure peace
would have been futile.
Very respectfully,
J. Enrique Leroux,
Acting American Consular
Agent.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
In the city of Sanchez, on the 13th of January, 1906, on board of the
American cruiser Paducah, in the presence of
the commander of said ship, of A. Marion Landais, Cuban consul and
ad interim German consul, Luis E. de Boyrie, French consular agent,
and J. Henry Leroux, in charge of the consular agency
[Page 555]
of the United States of
America, who had asked of Fermin Perez and J. Catrain—the latter
being the commander of cruiser Independencia—an interview with the purpose of seeing what
could be done in favor of the population of Sanchez, of avoiding a
repetition of fighting within said town and further effusion of
blood if possible.
The said Catrain and Fermin Perez have declared that they desired
that the consular corps in Sanchez, through J. Henry Leroux, should
telegraph. Mr. Dawson, the minister of the United States to Santo
Domingo, and that the commander of the American cruiser should
telegraph to the American cruiser now in Puerto Plata the following:
Asking in what conditions President Morales left them when he
resigned his office, what those conditions were and what were the
guarantees for them and the other people who accompany them; and if
there were none agreed upon, what guarantees the Government of Santo
Domingo is disposed to give. They desire that these guarantees
should be sufficient and advantageous in order to prevent them to
leave for abroad, and in case such being agreed upon they will
deliver up the steamship Indpendencia with
her armament and crew, seeing that President Morales, whose
employees they had been, had resigned, and they did not wish to
appear as revolutionists. If the conditions which the Government can
make are acceptable to them, they will, on giving up the ship to the
Dominican authorities, embark on an American ship of war, if the
commander will permit them, in order to go out of the country on the
first opportunity.
The further conditions in reference to the arrangement will be
stipulated in our presence between Generals Catrain and Perez and a
representative of the Government duly authorized.
In order to be able to reach an agreement with the Dominican
authorities on board the American ship Paducah, we will try to obtain an armistice between the
combatants until 6 o’clock in the afternoon, and afterwards we will
see if it is possible to prolong it until receiving an answer to the
telegram to Minister Dawson, stipulating the conditions of an
agreement.
In faith whereof we have given this certificate, which we sign in six
copies for a single effect, the parties agreeing to fulfill it.
(Signed)
Francisco
Catrain.
(Signed)
Jose Fermin Perez.
(Signed)
Ar. Marion
Landais.
(Signed)
A.
G. Winterhalter.
(Signed)
J. Enrique
Leroux.
(Signed)
L.
E. de Boyrie.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
In the city of Sanchez, on the 13th of January, 1906, on board the
American cruiser Paducah, met the commander
of said ship, A. Marion Landais, Cuban consul and ad interim German
consul, Luis E. de Boyrie, French consular agent, J. Henry Leroux,
in charge of the American consular agency, in this port, in whose
presence there have agreed:
J. Fermin Perez and J. Catrain, of the one part, and on the other
Luis Maria Cabrera, chief of the operations of the government forces
and delegate of the same in the port of Sanchez, as follows:
1. Catrain and J. Fermin Perez, who are now on board the cruiser Independencia, declared that because Carlos
P. Morales, whose employees they were, has resigned the office of
President of the Republic, they did not wish to continue the
movement they had begun, and do not desire to be considered as
revolutionists, nor in fact to be revolutionists, and having few
resources for being able to leave the country, agree to deliver up
the cruiser Independencia, now anchored in
this port, with all her accessories, armament, etc., and crew to
Gen. Luis Maria Cabrera, and to leave the country by the first
steamer which shall pass on her way abroad.
2. General Perez on his part agrees that at the same time as himself
he will procure the surrender of all the officers and soldiers who
are under his orders, and most of whom come from Puerto Plata, Monte
Christi, and Seybo, providing that they be on board when the ship is
delivered or that he can give them notice to effect their surrender
within twenty-four hours after the delivery of the ship.
[Page 556]
Gen. Luis Maria Cabrera, on behalf of the Government and its
representatives, agrees to deliver to the said Fermin Perez and
Catrain the sum of $1,000 gold—that is, $500 gold to each of them—in
order that they can take passage at the first opportunity.
This money will be deposited in the hands of the commander of the
American war ship Paducah, or in those of the
ship that may be in port, if he does not object to being the
depository. In case he does not accept the deposit, it shall be
placed in the hands of the persons whom the parties select, and
shall be delivered to Perez and Catrain at the time of their
embarking.
3. Likewise Gen. Luis Maria Cabrera, in his name and that of the
Government, gives guarantees of life and liberty to Catrain, as well
as to all the crew and employees of the ship Independencia, and the officers and soldiers who shall
surrender with their arms within the time, and that they shall
suffer no penalties for causes other than those treated of
herein.
Gen. Luis Maria Cabrera agrees to put at liberty Juan Perez, who is
now prisoner at Samana for political reasons, in order that he may
leave the country with his brother Fermin.
Done in good faith and signed by the contracting parties, in six
copies for a single effect, in our presence, and we sign as
witnesses in the city and on the date as above.
(Signed)
Luis Maria
Cabrera.
(Signed)
Jose Fermin Perez.
(Signed)
Francisco
Catrain.
(Signed)
A.
G. Winterhalter.
(Signed)
Ar. Marion
Landais.
(Signed)
Luis E. de Boyrie.
(Signed)
J. Enrique Leroux.
