SANTO DOMINGO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 212, 8 September 1930, Page 6

SANTO DOMINGO.

The cyclone which has just partially destroyed the city of Santo Domingo, in the West Indies is a periodical visitant in that part of the world; in the British islands they arc generally known as "hurricanes," and the months from July to October comprise the '"hurricane season." During this period stout bars arc held in readiness to bar np the windows (which are further strengthened by shutters) as a precaution against the sudden approach of a cyclone. Any negligence in this respect may result in the roofs of the houses 'being blown' off,' as has just happened in Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic (to give the country its official title), which should not. be confounded with the other West Indian island of Dominica, which is a British colony. The writer has never visited the city of Santo Domingo, but he has travelled through the northern part of the republic, which is the most fertile and flourishing portion, although it is not so well developed as its geographical position, and rich natural resources entitle it to he.

Santo Domingo is further notable on account of the attack made on that city, during the time of Cromwell, hy the British expedition under Admirals Penn "and Vena We—the former being the father of the famous Penn, the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania. This was in the year 105.">. The attack was not successful, although a landing party effected much destruction of enemy propertv. • A member of this party records in his diary the fact that "it cost us no small travail to ruin the houses, being very magnificently built of stone." This was during the flourishing period of Spanish colonisation; the country has retrograded since achieving its independence. Although this expedition failed in its attack on the city of Santo Domingo, it was more successful in its assault on the island of Jamaica, which capitulated during the same year and has remained a British colony ever since. Both the Dominican Republic and the neighbouring sister State of Haiti were occupied by American troops during the Great War, and although the former country was evacuated by the United States about six years ago the administration of the Customs still remains in American hands. The finances of the country were in disorder, and an advisory committee of American financial experts, headed by the former Vice-President Dawes, was invited to set matters right, and last year they introduced a new Budget law and system of accounting and finance. During' the American occupation of the city of Santo Domingo great improvements were effected, especially in the harbour works. Another improvement was the introduction of the American gold dollar as the basis of the currency. At the time of the writer'* visit many years ago the currency in circulation was the Mexican dollar, then on a silver basis, the consequence being that the gold value of the dollar fluctuated continually according to the bullion value of silver. The debt of 32,000.000 dollars (a crushing one for such a email country) has also been reduced under American administration to ahout 21,000,000 dollars. —J. D. LECKIE..