Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-05

Will do everything In its power 10 Sc
cure the success OF the conference to
the end that substantial progress may
be made I'm the cause OF international
peace. justice and good WI.
Monroe Doctrine.
There are certain essential points
which must never be forgotten as re-
CARDS the Monroe doctrine. In the frst
place, we must as nation make IL ey-
ident that we do not intend to treat II
In any shape or way as an excuse Tor
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OH our part Mt the ex-
pense OF the republics TO the south.
But we must make It evident that we
do not intend TO permit the Monroe doc
trine TO be used by any nation on TINS
continent as shield TO protect II from
the consequences Of its own misdeeds
against foreign nations. The Monroe
doctrine does not force us to Interfere
to prevent the punishment of a port
save to see that the punishment does
not assume the form of territorial Occu-
patton in any shape The case Is more
difficult when il refers 10 contractual
obligation. This country would GER
tainly decline to go to war to prevent
foreign government from collecting
Just debt. On the other hand, 1t Is
very lnadyisable to permit any foreign
power to take possession, even tempo
rarily, of the custom houses Of an
American republic in order to enforce
the payment of its obligations, for such
temporary occupation might turn into
a permanent occupation. The only es-
cape from these alternatives may at
any time be that we must ourselves
undertake to bring about some arrange
ment by which so much as possible OF
Just obligation shall be paid.
To do so lnsures the defaulting re-
public from having to pay debts OF an
improper character under duress, while
It also insures honest creditors Of the
republic from being passed by In the
interest Of dishonest or grasping cred
itors. Moreover, for the United States
to take such Il position offers the only
possible way OF insuring us against a
clash with some foreign power. The
position Is therefore in the interest of
peace as we'll as in the interest OF JUS
tice.
sanfo Domingo.
Santo Domingo has now made an APP
peal to us, and not only every principle
OF wisdom. but every generous instinct
within us, bids us respond to the APP
peal. The conditions IN Santo Domingo
have for a number of years grown
from bad to worse until year ago all
society was on the verge of dissolution.
Fortunately Just at this time ruler
sprang up in Santo Domingo who. with
his colleagues, saw the dangers threat
enlng their country aud appealed to the
friendship Of the only neighbor who
possessed the power and the will to
help them. There was imminent dan
ger Of foreign Intervention. The pa
thence Of foreign creditors had become
exhausted, and at least two foreign ma
tons were on the point OF Intervention
and were only prevented by the unofi-
cial assurance OF this government that
II would itself strive TO help Santo
Domingo In her hour OF need.
Accordingly, the executive depart
ment Of our government negotiated
treaty under which we are trying TO
help the Dominican people to straight
en- out their finances. This treaty Is
pending before the senate. In the
meantime a temporary arrangement
has been made under which the Domln-
lean government has appointed Amer
leans to all the important positions In
the customs service. and they are see
ing TO the honest collection Of the rev.
enues, turning over do per cent to the
government for running expenses and
putting the other 55 per cent into a
safe depositary for equitable division
In case the treaty shall he ratified
among the various creditors, whether
European or American.
Under the course taken stability and
order and all the benefits of peace are
at last coming to Santo Domingo, dan
ger of foreign intervention has been
suspended. and there Is at last pros
pect that all creditors will get Justice,
no more and no less. II the arrange
ment is terminated by the failure OF
the treaty chaos will follow, and sooner
or later this government may be In
| yolyed in serious difficulties with for
| elgn governments over the Island or
else may be forced itself to intervene
In the island in some unpleasant fash
ion.
| Army and Navy.
I do not believe that any army In the
! world has a better average OF enlisted
man or a better type Of junior officer,
but the army should be trained TO act
effectively In a mass. Provision should
be made by sufficient appropriations
for maneuvers Of practical kind.
Provision should be made for the pro-
motion Of exceptionally merltorious
men over the heads Of their comrades
and for the retirement OF all men who
have reached given age without get
ting beyond n given rank.
There should be an increase in the
coast artillery force so that our coast
Notifications can be In some degree
adequately manned. There is special
need for an Increase and reorganization
OF the medical department OF the army.
: In both the army aud navy there must
be the same thorough training for duty
In the stan corps rs in the fighting line.
The importance OF this was shown con-