The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-02-07
Morales Government Probably
Will Not Be Able to Capture
and Punish the Murderers.
OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICANS
Administration Has Grown
Weary of Continued Turmoil
in Little Republic and Will
Act With Vigor.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Washington, Feb. 6.-Minister Powell
has cabled the State Department confirm.
ing the reported murder Of an American
sailor. John c.. johnson, by santo Domin-
go insurgents.
Secretary of the Navy Moody has sent
n telegram to Rear Admiral Wise calling
for a detailed report in regard to the MUIR
der. Mr.. Moody intends to take no posi-
tive action until he knows all the circum-
stances. but 1t is evident that he will not
indulge in any halfway measures when
the time for a declaration Of policy comes.
The administration has grown sired Of
the continued turmoil in Santo Domingo.
CRIME DELIBERATE
According to Minister Powell. the MUIR
der was mos; deliberate. He says:
The insurgents fired deliberately on q
launch Of the cruiser Yankee at the city
wharf. killing ]. G. johnson, machinist
Of the second class.
The Yankee is the only American war
vessel now In Santo Domingo waters, the
Columbia and Hartford having gone to
Guantanamo. The opinion prevails that
they will be ordered back to Santo Do
mingo. and that Minister Powell may de-
mand of the Morales Government the ap-
prehension and punishment of Johnson's
murderers.
He may have made this demand already,
but he has not informed the State De-
partment of any such action. 1t is not i'm
probable that the Morales Government
may be unable to apprehend the murder
ers. and this may give the United States
an excuse to lar marines for the purpose
Of catching the c%ulprits.
APPEAL FOR AID.
Complaint has been made to the State
Department by the owners Of the San
lsidro plantation that their property had
been besieged and an appeal Is made for
immediate relief.
Other Americans having interests In
Santo Domingo lave made similar COM
plants. Mr.. Moody, the Secretary OF tho
Navy. and Mr.. Loomis, the acting Secre-
tary Of State. had long conferences with
the President to-day on the subject. Upon
his return to the Navy Department from
the White House. Secretary Moody held q
conference with Rear Admiral Taylor,
Chief Of the Bureau Of Navigation, and a
cableeram was dispatched to Rear Ad-
miral Wise. commanding the training
squadron now at Guantanamo. instructing
that officer to take immediate and effect
i've steps for the adequate protection Of
American life and property In the Donin-
lean Republic. limiting his action at all
times to the recognized tenets Of inter-
national law.
TO ACT PROMPTLY.
Upon the receipt Of this dispatch Rear
AApofrnl urfuo fc o~rnDfaA - ~co-~
once in - flagship, the Minneapolis, to
Dominican waters and make a personal
investigation. The Columbia already has
been ordered TO return to San Domingo
from Guantanamo. where she vent for
COAL. and the Hartford will be ordered
back from the same place.
The San Isidro plantation is owned by
the Bartram Bros. of New York. 1t is
managed by an American named Bass.
The plantation is situate on the Osama
River about eleven miles inland. Only
steam tugs can navigate the river, and It
Is said that Rear Admiral Wise. upon his !
arrival. will dispatch one or more tugs
with marines to guard the plantation.
General Sanchez. the Dominican MINIS
ter. has requested that a irm policy be
by the Washington Government.
He is cabling the Government regarding
the feeling in official circles.
1t is apparent that the long pending
Dominican problem Is reaching a crisis
that will demand immediate attention.
EUROPE RESTLESS.
The Washington Government has well
nigh reached the limit of its patience in
dealing with Santo Domingo, and London
Paris Governments show an equal
imDa fienCe Wffh a6airc fhare
All these Governments have bided their
time In the hope hat the Washington
would meet the obligaticzz
placed upon 1t by the Monroe Doctrine
and put an end to the unsatisfactory state
Of affairs. II the United States had not
acted. it can be stated. European nations
would have called the situation to its at