File No. 27/219–220.
Minister McCreery to the Secretary of State.
Santo Domingo, March 5, 1908.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose copy and translation of the message1 of President Cáceres to the Congress which assembled on the 29th ultimo. It is customary for the Congress to meet on February 27, but a quorum did not arrive until the 29th.
The President states that there is peace throughout the Republic, a peace gained by the power of legal authority. He refers to the new constitution adopted by the constitutional convention which adjourned on the 22d ultimo.
Reference is made to the cordiality of international relations, especially with Haiti; to the participation of the Republic in the Second Hague Conference; and the names of the four members of the Permanent Tribunal of Arbitration appointed by the Dominican Executive are mentioned.
It is stated that the Haitian minister notified the Dominican foreign office, on January 29 last, that the Haitian Government would limit the right of asylum to the Dominican legation at Port au Prince since the Dominican Government recognized the right as appertaining only to legations. The Dominican foreign office accepted the Haitian position provided the same rule be applied to all foreign government offices in Haiti and provided refugees at that time in Dominican consulates be safely transported from Haiti or transferred to a legation or consulate having the right of asylum.
Improvement of the consular service is recommended.
[Page 259]The exchange of ratifications of the Dominican-American convention on July 8, 1907, is mentioned.
The revenues for 1907 were given as $3,964,626.92; the amount on hand December 31, 1907, as $4,217,173.33, of which $3,932,572.44 was deposited in the National City Bank of New York.
Mention is made of the participation of the Republic in the Jamestown Exposition; and of the successful National Exposition inaugurated in this city on August 16, 1907.
The necessity for improvement in the quality of native products is pointed out, and a law relative to the division of communal lands.
The Government will soon begin the construction of irrigation works in the Province of Monte Cristi and will consider the construction of similar works in the Province of Azua.
Much effort will be devoted to improvements in the administration of justice and the public school system.
The revenue from the post offices was $24,000 for 1907, a number of new offices having been established; the issuance of postal orders for small amounts is recommended, and the amendment of the postal laws. An extension of Government telegraph and telephone lines is suggested.
Reference is made to the needs of the army and the necessity for a gunboat or small cruiser.
The harm to the country of concessions carrying special privileges is pointed out and it is recommended that none be granted in the future.
Sane and conservative policy regarding expenditures and appropriations is recommended, and a careful consideration of encouragement to immigration. Owing to the difficulties in the way of keeping the mouth of the Ozama River open so that even small ships may tie to the wharves, it is recommended that a port be established in the Bay of Las Calderas some 50 miles to the west, and a railroad built to the city of Santo Domingo. This is recommended as being the cheapest and most certain port for this city.
I confirm my telegram of the 1st instant as follows:
The President’s message delivered to the Congress yesterday refers to domestic peace and cordial international relations, especially with Haiti. Reference is made to the notice given by Haiti that asylum in consulates will not be recognized. The enactment of a consular law under which commerce may be encouraged is recommended as well as encouragement of agriculture and immigration, building of irrigation systems, reforms in administration of justice and public education, and care in making expenditures. It is also recommended that no concessions creating special privileges be granted.
Slight reference made to financial arrangements as report of minister of finance not yet available.
I have, etc.,
- Not printed.↩