The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-18
A NEW CROMWELL
Vail Ripped From Santo
Domingo Treaty.
Senator Morgan Shows That We Are
Expected to Collect His Claims
Against the Latin
Republic.
(By the ASSOCIATED Press

Washington, March 16.-Senator
Morgan occupied practically the en-
tire time in the discussion of the
Santo Domingo treaty in executive ses-
sion Of the Senate today. He made
sensational speech in which he charged
that William Nelson Cromwell, of New
York, who was prominently connected
with the sale of the Panama Canal
property to the United States was the
prime mover in scheme to influence
the United States in the financial af-
fairs of the Dominican government.
He asserted that Mr.. Cromwell was
actuated by a desire to Illustrate
plan of a Mr.. and Mrs. Reeder, ma
tives of Alabama, who are operating
under the name of the Reeder syndi-
cate, to get certain concessions from
the Dominican government and to pro-
mote the interests of syndicate he
represented which it is alleged holds
a mass of claims against Latin-Amer-
lean republics, including a large part
of the debts against the Dominican
government.
The alleged disclosures were de-
bated all day and the Senate is divided
as to whether Senator Morgan made a
case. The Democrats insist that he
did, while the leaders among the Re-
publicans declare that the charges
were made up of a mass of matter
which contained no conclusive evil
dence that Mr.. Cromwell had used
any undue influence.
The speeches were made behind
closed doors. Senator Morgan held
his audience to the conclusion of his
remarks.
The tentative program of the SEN
ate continues to be adjournment with
out date on Saturday without permit
q vote. 1t is probable that it will be
recommitted. Among the Senate lead
ers today new plan was advanced in
regard to Santo Domingo, but it deals
with the next session of Congress. 1t
has been suggested that if the whole
matter is allowed to go over a joint
resolution might be passed by Con-
gress to authorize the President to
do the very things that are proposed
by the treaty. If this course were
pursued a majority vote is all that
would be required to place the entire
matter in the hands of the President. |
1t is understood that the plan found
favor when it was suggested at the
White House by Senators who called
there today. Senator Morgan in his
speech said that he knew the Reeders
we'll and that they were the original
concessionaries in Santo Domingo and
treaty had been drawn up between
them and the Dominican government
which the Reeders were to present
to this, government for consideration.
This treaty he said was interfered
with by MIR. Cromwell who, the Reed
ers charge, induced the Morales to
nullify it under promise that the Uni
ted States would deal directly with |
Santo Domingo. 1t was charged that |
Mr.. Cromwell represented "a number
of claimants whose securities would |
be advanced in value if the United |
States took charge and that his agent |
represented to President Morales that |
Mr.. Cromwell was responsible for the
formation of the government of Pan |
anna and the United States would do
for Santo Domingo as much or more |
than had been done for Panama. When |
this argument was made, according
to the Reeders, the Morales govern |
ment threw off the alleged agreement |
with them, and started the negotia- .
tons with the alleged agent of Mr..
Cromwell. 1t was then that Mr.. |
Cromwell, it was alleged, induced |
Santo Domingo to ask the United
States to administer the customs af-
fairs asked.
Senator Morgan repeatedly referred |
to treaty negotiated by the Reeders,
which he said had never seen the
light of day." because of the interfer-
ence of Mr.. Cromwell's representative !
Senator Platt said that he did not want
the discussion to go any further un-
til that treaty had been produced.
Thereupon it was sent to the Secre-
tary's desk by Senator Morgan and
read. 1t is declared by Republican
Senators that the treaty gave every
thing of Santo Domingo, concessions
to the Reeders and practically moth
ing to the United States. These Sena-
tors subsequently declared that
charges based upon such a document
were not entitled to consideration.
Senator Foraker defended Mr.. Crom-
well, saying that he knew him espec-
tally and believed him incapable of
the acts charged. At the same time
he said that the documents presented
by Senator Morgan should be printed
in order that all Senators might have
a chance to examine them.