The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-28
SGNTO DOMINGO SUGGESTS IT.
PLAN TO CARRY OUT TERMS or
UNRATIFIBD TREATY.

10 Collect the Customs Revenues ana
Hold BE Per Cent. or the Money
Pending Final Action on the Treaty
WARRINGTON, March 27.-When the Sen
ate adjourned this month without acting on
the treaty providing for the admintt ttioh
of the Dominican Republics finances by
the United States itwhs token Tor granted
that the present status Of TIE hePuoiic
fiscal affairs would not be disturbed pending
the reassembling ofNhe Senate later In the
year. An effort Is being made, however,
n nut the terms Of the agreement in virtual
force at this time, so that should the treaty
be ratified next winter this Government
would have at hand a snug sum Of Santo
Domingo's money with which TO oegm
the liquidation o. thet nations indebted
ness TO the United States and foreign coun'
tries. ~. 49,.
The President LEARNED to-day from Alvey
A Adee the acting Secretary OF State.
that Thomas c. Dawson, the United States
Minister at santo pomtrgo CITY. bad asked
for instructions with regard to a proposed
Arrangement which had been discussed
unofRoially by Mr.. Dawson and the diplo-
roatio representatives of foreign govern
unents which have claims against the Domin-
lean Republic.
According to Mr.. Dawson's dispatches
the proposed arrangement had been built
upon suggestions ma e by the Dominican
Governnent that the President Of the United
States name an American citizen 20 take
charge OF the custom houses Of the ports
on the southern coast OF the country and
that SIS per cent. Of the revenues collected
At these places should be sequestrated
pending final action by the Senate on the
Dominican treaty. the then remaining
IS per cent to be turned over 10 the Do
minican Government for the payment OF
its running expenses.
The suggested arrangement was limited
70 the southern ports for the reason that
under the terms Of the arbitral award OF
last July. in the case Of the San Domingo
Improvement Company Of New York and
It's kindred organizations, the custom
houses on the northern coast we're 70 be
placed in control Of American agents, who
were TO he empowered to collect the rev.
enues and apply them to the payment OF
the four million and several hundred thou
sand dollars awarded to the Improvement
COMPANY. Two OF the four northern ports
on the north coast are actually in charge
Of American agents. These are Monte
Cristi and Puerto Plata. At SANTANA and
Sanchez Dominican officials stu collect
.he revenues
Minister Dawson reported that all except
two Of the creditor nations represented at
Santo Domingo City had acquleSced IN the
roposed plan, and IL was expected that
tho remaining two would also approve.
The San Domingo Improvement Tom,
pnny however, did not regard the proposed
arrangement with favor Mr.. Dawson said.
Mr. Dawsons synopsis Of the suggested
agreement was submitted adj referendum
and he made il clear that he had not signed
any agreement or assented to II.
The advioes from MIR. Dawson were the
subject OF a conference at the White House
to-day, In which the President Secretary
Of War Taft, Attorney-General Moody,
Senators Ledge and Spooner who are
members Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations and acting secretary OF State
Adee participated. While no decision
70 take action one way OF another upon
the suggestiens advanced by the Dominican
Government WAS reached II was apparent
from the character OF the views advanced
by some Of the conferees, notably the two
Senator'S Ihat-Rh attempt by the Admins
tration to carry out the terms OF the
Dominican treaty. even IN the tentative
nonoommittal form proposed, might lead
10 serious dificu lilies which would en-
barrass the President when Congress re-
assembled.
One Of the objections raised was that
nhould an attack be made by insurgents
can agent placed there under the suggested
informal understanding it might be neces,
sAry for this Government 70 land armed
forces to AFFORD protection TO the custom
houses aud its officers, and should blood
be shed il might be construed as an act OF
war which the executive Government OF
the United States had no authority to com
mis- without the sanction OF Congress. IL
was suggested that the Dominican Govern
ment, either the present or one that might
q ~ 4aank 10 F7aHtFffnfQ the
arrangement and bring about a hostile
clash. which would probably also be con-
str1led AZ the beginning Of hos'ilities.
Another suppositious case mentioned
was that some foreign nation with score
20 settle with Santo Domingo might
through a desire to secure compensation,
seek to dispossess the American revenue
agent. Armed resistance by United States
forces 10 such an attempt would OF course
not have the merit OF having 'Deen made
under any authority granted by the Ameri-
can Congress- which by cypress stipulation
Of the Federal Constitution has the sole
power 10 declare war.
These conditions were evidently care
fully and earnestly discussed by the Presi-
dent and those he called upon for advice.
and the fact that no decision was req ched
is taken TO mean that the proposal trans
mitted by Minister Dawson in behalf Of
the Dominican Government IS by no
means satisfactory to the Administration
here. Further details Of the suggested
arrangements arc expected before the
President stales for Texas. and il II prob
able that other White House conferences
will follew, ....
Administrations officers still express con-
Germ over the Dominican situation AMI
hope that some arrangement may he reache1
whereby the danger Of foreign compiler
tons over. the republics. ability TO pay
its debts may lie ayerted. They main
tain that this danger is ever present and
there il no telling when something may
OCCUR TO disturb the status quo.
49,,