Minister Dawson to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo
,
November 25,
1905
.
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.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Consular Agent Reed to Minister Dawson.
American Consular Agency,
Macoris
,
November 20,
1905
.
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.,
[Subinclosure.—Translation.]
Señor Canelo to
Mr. Friedheim.
Headquarters Camp
,
November 19, 1905
.
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,
