New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-05
IycOPRJGIBLE DOMINICANS.

The state of affairs in the Dominican Repub-
lie seems TO grow worse. The revolt against
President Woz Gil was bad, for it was Oh
rected against an individually Legitimate govern
ment and it had no apparent cause, or none
that could be considered adequate Far worse
was IT for the revolutionists to proclaim a re-
pudiation at their own will, of all interna-
tional obligations entered into by the govern
ment they were overthrowing That would
have been an extraordinary and Ominous thing
for them to do had the government of Woz Gil
been of doubtful legitimacy. Hitherto revolu-
tiOnists and dictators have respected the official
engagements Of preceding revOlutiOnists and
dictators But the government of WOz Gil
was universally conceded to be legitimate. If
its obligations can be repudiated, may any
be that have ever been made by any Domini-
can government. The whole public debt, for
example, of S23, 100000 or more, can be thrown
into the melting pot. Such doctrines are subver-
sive of some of the fundamental grounds on
which governments are based. Their execution
would make the Dominican Republic a moral
outlaw among nations.
Now comes, if possible, something even worse.
There is already being organized. we are told,
another revolution, directed against the one
which has just upset WOZ V Gil and which has
only just succeeded in establishing provisional
government. 1t does not appear that this new
revolution is meant for the restoration of WOz
Gil. Apparently it has nothing to do with him
or his party. 1t is an Independent affair. Those
who are promoting it are proceeding on the
principle that if one party can get up a revolu-
ton another can do the same. SO there is
revolution. and a revolution against the revOlu-
tionistS and tomorrow may see a revolution
against the revOlutioniSts who are against the
revolution, and the next day a revolution
against the revolution which is against the
revolution which is against the revolution, until
the series shall rival an endless chain The
governor ''t'other governor and ''tOtherest
governor in "Our Mutual Friend" are simply
nowhere compared with the possibilities of rev
outions in San Domingo.
To what extent the United States is morally
bound TO tolerate such work is a serious ques-
ton. One of these days it may have to be an
swered in pretty positive and forcible man
ner. This country does not want to interfere
with Dominican affairs. But it has never been
inclined to tolerate fragrant lawIessness at its
very doors. and with the growth of its interests
and the consequent increase of annoyance and
injury 10 it which such evil pranks commit its
dislike of such things has increased. For the
present it will certainly be acting we'll within
bounds Of moderation If it resOlutely insists
upon the execution of all the obligations as
sumed by the late lawful government of the
Dominican Republic. When the United States
makes contract with a nation it makes it with
that nation, represented by its government, and
not with mere individual in his individual ca
pacity. The new government in San Domingo
is not responsible for the tailor bills of Woz
Gil or for the private engagements of his house
hold. For the bargains he made with other
countries as President Of the Dominican Re
public it is as much responsible as though it
had itself made them.