Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-23
SAND0A||AG0HNANCES
State Department Working
Out Details Of Agreement.
COMMISSION OF REFORM
EXISTING SYSTEM MUST BE PURI-
FED AND EXPENSES CONTROLLED
Some Posts Now in Hostile Hands
President Morales to Have
Moral Support.

inc State Department is already working
out the details of the agreement touching
the administration of the finances of San
Domlngo, and some of these win be made
operative within month. The depart
ment has now an agent, in the person of
MI. ABBOTT, engaged in the collection of
customs at Puerto Plata. 1t will imme-
oiately select some trained experts in GUS
toms affairs, possibly calling upon the in
sular bureau of the War Department and
the Treasury Department for help to be
stationed at Monte Cristi, Aqua Macoris
and the other principal ports of the Domin-
lean republic. These men will exercise a
general supervision over the methods of
customs collections, keep close watch on
the accounts, and gradually surround
themselves by a corps of reliable and eff
fcient subOrdinatss to insure an honest ad-
ministraton
A Commission to Reform Finances.
Another thing to be done almost imme-
diately Is to appoint commission to take
up the broad subject of reform of the
Dominican's finances which are said to be
in the utmost confusion.
The existing system must be purified and
some attempt must be made to regulate
reckless expenditures as we'll as to control
receipts. One Of the most important duties
which will devolve upon this commission is
the aScertainment of the exact amount of
the foreign obligations now outstanding
against San Domingo and a readjustment of
these upon an equita BILE basis, 1t is posi-
lively known that many of the claims pre-
ferred against Dominica have been out
rageously swollen by the claimants. A large
number of franchises have been granted,
with little or no proper consideration, dur
ing the Kaleidoscope changes of admins
tration during the past few years, and the
holders of these franchises, many obtained
by questionable methods, are in some cases
disposed to attach fanciful valuations to
their franchises. 1t will be the duty of TIE
commission to adjust these upon the basis
of strict equity, and not upon fictitious
values exhibited in papers.
Assurances From Principal Creditor
Nations
1t is expected that opposition win be en-
countered in that work, but the State De-
partment has already had assurances from
some of the principal creditor nations of
Dominica that they would much prefer to
have their claims adjusted by the United
States than submit them to the decision of
some Dominican tribunal
The work Is not regarded as fitting for
The Hague arbitration, which would be in
ord1nately expensive and slow moving con-
sidering the total amount of these claims
foreign and domestic, is placed at only
about So, 100000. Rough estimates made
by experts here permit of the assignment
OF at least 81, 100000 per annum of the GUS
toms receipts for the reduction of the for
elgn debt, including claims, at the very
outset, while 1t is certain that customs re-
celpts would be largely increased in con-
nection with the general Improvement of
business expected to follow the tranuuiIiza-
ton of San Domingo and the administra-
ton of its finances by the United States
To Support President Morales.
Some of the ports of the republic are at
present practically in possession of reyolu-
tionary elements hostile to President Nor
ales. 1t will be necessary for the United
States to place customs officials at those
ports and to overcome any resistance that
may be offered locally, so to that extent
the administration of President Morales is
likely to receive moral support
The commission will probably consist of
three lawyers and one or two expert finan-
ciers and the expenses of its maintenan, 20
will probably be charged against the reye-
nues OF San Domingo so there will be neces-
Slty for the administration to apply to the
United States Congress for an appropria-
ton to carry out its plans.
Rear Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee COM
handing the Caribbean squadron. has re-
ported his arrival at San Domingo City in
the flagship Newark The Newark and
the Castlne are now representing the
though the latter has been scheduled to
carry Commander A. c.. Dillingham; to San
JUAN Porto Rico, where he is to take the
mail steamer for the United States The
Sterling left Culebra yesterday for San
Domingo City.