New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-29


Washington. March 2S.-The President. after
mature deliberation and consultation with men,
bers of the Cabinet and four leading Senators,
has determined TO use the good offices of the
United States 10 such eytent as is considered
proper 10 maintain the status quo in Santo
Domingo in order that the treaty now pending
IN the Senate may be executed if ratified. To
this end the President has directed that the
proposal of the Dominican government be ac-
cepted with some important changes. His de-
cision is expressed in the following letter of in
structions 10 the Acting Secretary Of State:
White House. Washington March IS, 1905.
To the acting Secretary of state
I have carefully considered the following
cablegram from Minister Dawson:
Secretary Of State washington
Cnoer pressure OF foreign creditors and domestic
citizen OF the United States receiver of southern
ports pending ratification protocol; four northern
ports 10 be administered under the award. Forty
I've Per cent Of the total shall go to the Dominican
DISTRIBUTION after ratification Creditors to agree
70 take no further steps in the mean time and
preferential Italian. Spanish German and
American creditors. except the san Domingo Inn
eian and French Representatives viii recommend
soeptanee Some 9oduf s. vyepd gen absolutely Reces
ington. D c, Zsth: TO explain details and modifcs
tions plan obtainable: whole matter can be held
open during my absence DAWSON.
direct that the Minister express acquiescence
in the proposal of the government Of Santo
Domingo for the collection and conservation of
its revenues pending the action of the United
States Senate upon the treaty to the end that
in the mean time change shall take place
jn the situation which would render useless its
Consummation bring complications into its
enforcement The Secretary Of War Of the
United States viii present for nomination by
the President of the Dominican Republic men
70 act in the positions referred TO, in both the
northern and southern ports. The utmost care
will Of course be aken 10 choose men of ca
pacity and absolute integrity, who. If possible
shau have some Knowledge of Spanish All
cTaH both ebn
and southern ports, not turned over 10 the
Dominican government. Will be deposited I'm
some New-York bank TO be designated by the
Secretary Of War. and will there be kept until
the Senate has acted. If the action is adverse
the money VIII then be turned over TO the
Dominican government IL II is faVoTaDle II
viii be distributed among the creditors in pro-
portion 10 their just claims under the treaty
Meanwhile Mr Hollender will thoroughly in
zestigate these claims including the claim of
the American Improvement Company, and viii
report in detail all the information he is able
70 gather to the amount actually received
by Santo Domingo. the amount of Indebtedness
nominslly incurred. the circumstances, so far
as they known. under which the various
debts were incurred and so forth.
This action is rendered necessary by the pc
culiar circumstances of the case. The treaty
now before the Senate concluded with
Santo Domingo at Santo Domingo's earnest
request repeatedly pressed upon US. and was
submitted to the Senate because in my judg-
rnent. II was our duty 10 our less fortunate
reighbor 10 respond TO her call for aid. mas
much were the only power who could
81 was very great. The treaty is now before the
Senate and has been favOraby reported by
the Committee on Foreign Relations. 1t is
pending and final action will undoubtedly be
taken when Congress conYenes next fall. Mean
while Santo Domingo has requested that the
action above outlined be taken: that is. she
desires in this way to maintain the status quo,
so that If the treaty is ratified it can be exc
cuted
With this purpose in view, l direct that the
proposed arrangement be approved. Ii will
terminate as soon the Senate has acted one
way or the other
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
It VIII be seen from the above that the United
States is committed by it's acceptance of the
proposition of santo Domingo only 10 the extent
Of suggesting American citizens 20 be appointed
by the Dominican government as receivers for
the ports OF Santo Domingo. The important
change from the proposal Of President Morales.
stated By Minister Dawson, consists Of the
direction that receivers shall be appointed for
the northern as well for the southern ports,
and the seouestration of - per cent of all the
CUSTOMS receipts Of Santo Domingo thus sus-
pending the arbitral award in favor OF the San
Domingo improvement Company rendered July
Il, 1904
PREVENTS FOREIGN COMPLICATIONS.
Final decision was not reached by the Presi-
dent the proposition Of santo Domingo until
after ne had consulted. in addition to the men,
bers of the Cabinet Senator's spooner Lodge.
Foraker and Knox. all Of whom expressed the
Option that the course determined upon was