The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-03
Secretary Hay and the Santo Do
mingO Treaty.

Among the unfinished business OF
the State Depa tment is the treaty with
Santo Domingo, which the Senate failed
to ratify at the last session. Pending
the further discussion of that proposed
convention, the Executive is believed to
be exercising what is practically pro-
tectorate over a neighboring republic,
and administering her finances at her
Governments request. This abnormal
arrangement is called modus rirend'.
The reason for it's existence is the neces-
sity of averting revolution and pre-
serving peace within Monroe Doctrine
territory.
How far was the Santo Domingo policy
of Secretary HAYS making?
Was it he, or Assistant Secretary
LOOMS, or some other person, who
started the business with the 30 called
Dillingham-Sanchez protocol of the 10Th
Of January last, a contract between the
Executives of two Governments which
by it's own terms was not intended to be
submitted to the Senate OF the United
States?
In what degree was the personal in
terest of Secretary HAY enlisted in the
success of the regularly negotiated
treaty which replaced the Dillingham;
Sanchez agreement and went in proper
constitutional course to the Senate?
How ardenty did Mr.. HAY desire the
establishment of the new policy Of pa
ternal supervision throughout Latin
America, and full responsibility at Wash
ington for the effective manipulation Of
the big stick?
These are questions of considerable i'm
portance. For the truth Of history and In
justice to the memory Of JOHN HAY. we
make public his own explanation Of the
affair as contained in private letter
written in March last.
81 had never seen the protocol. or agreement,
or whatever one may call 1t. until, by my order, It
was ,elegraphcd to Washington. after having been
signed and published in San,o Domingo. As soon
as saw 1t. 1t was evident that 1t required serious
modification: and yet. at the same time. did ap-
prove and still do approve the conduct OF DAwsoN
and DILLINoHAA In signing II and do not especially
disapprove the conduct OF the Santo Domingo
people In publishing 1t.
There was wha, might be called a critical state
Of things in Santo Domingo II such phrase Is sp-
plicabe to country where every day has It's crisis.
and thought and stil think that DAWSON and
D1ILISsHAM acted rightly In eoino hevond their
INSTRUCTIONS and proceeding. utihou orders. to draw
Up a document which not accepted when 1t
reached US. This Is, perhaps. hard saying for
anybody else TO accept. but 1t Is the simple Truth
and shall not dodge any responsibility connected
with :
Il fear YOU cannot relieve me OF the stigma OF
having employed DILLNoBAM. He went to Santo
Domingo at my request on account Of his extensive
knowledge Of the country and the personnel OF the
Government.
"One Of the humors OF the situation is that the
paragraph lin the treaty. to which the Senate has
most strenuously objected. and which they have
stricken out in their new version. was inserted ny
the preliminary advice and consent OF the abiest
man In the House and the ahlest man in the Senate
where foreign affairs are concerned
III they should pass the treaty as II Is amended.
according to the newspaper reports. though do not
think 1t is improved. do think It will still be work
able. II they reject II, do not think uould be q
srsdf disaster, and II would certainly relieve the
Executive OF q vast amount OF labor which Is now
imposed upon 1t by the claims OF American citizens
throughout all Latin America"
Upon the foregoing clear and char
acteristically straightforward statement
we offer no comment other than that i'm
piled by the use of the italics, which are
THE SUNS and not Mr.. HAYS.