New-York tribune., 1905-02-17
cred as an scquieseenee in son,s such action by
another government
THE PItATT AMENDMENT.

cred as an acquIescence IN son1e sucn aCkioh W
another government.
THE PLATT AMENDMENT.
That most wise measure of international
craftsmanship. the Plat amendment, has pro- pro-
vided method for preventing such difhcuiues
from arising in the new republic OF Cuba. IN
accordance with the terms of this amehullet,, i,
tlN republic of Cuba cannot issue any OoIlu9
which can be collected from Cuba save as
matter Of grace, unless with the consent OF lle
United States. which is at liberty at all times TO
take measures to prevent a violation OF me ~
ter and spirit of the Platt Amendment ~ d
similar plan could now be entered dpon u! uIe
Dominican Republic. it would undoubtedly ne OF
great advantage TO them and to all otheI 10 To-
Piles. for under such arrangement no !arseI
debt would be incurred than could pe hol1SIS ',S
paid, and those who took debts not thuS du'iioi
lied would, by the mere fact of taking theh put
themselves in the category OF SpeculdtorS Oh
gamblers. who deserved no consideration anu
who would he permitted to receive none, 50 that
the honest creditor would on the one mana pe
safe. while on the other hand the republic would
be safeguarded against molestatlon III the In-
terest Of mere spectators.
But no such plan at present exists; and under
existing circumstances, when the condition OF
affairs becomes such it has become in Santo
Domingo, either we must submit to the Iike-
hood of infringement of the Monroe Doctrine
or we must ourselves agree to some such ar
ranqement as that herewith submitted to the
Senate. In this case, fortunately, the prudent
and far-seeing statesmanship of the Dominican
government has relieved us of all trouble AT
their request we have entered into the agree
ment herewith submitted. Under it the custom
houses will be administered peacefully, honestly
and economically, As per cent of the proceeds
beinq turned over to the Dominican government
and the remainder being used by the United
States to pay what proportion of the debts it is
possible to pay equitable basis. The re-
public will be secured against overseas asgres-
sion. This, in reality, entails no OBJ
{or Aaa
means precisely such a guarantee part.
1t is, perhaps, unnecessary to state that
step of any kind has been taken by the admin
istration under the terms of tho protocol, which
is herewith submitted.
PERFORMING INTERNATIONAL DUTY.
The republic of Santo Domingo has. by this
protocol, wisely and patriotically accepted the
responsibilities well the privileges of lib
erty. and is showing with evident good faith
its purpose to pay all that its resources will
permit Of its obligations. More than this IT
cannot do, and when il has done this We should
not permit it to be moleSted.
We, part, simply performing in
peaceful manner, not only with the cordial ac-
quiescence, but in accordance with the earnest
request of the government concerned, part of
that international duty which is necessarily in
VoIved in the assertion OF the Monroe Doctrine.
We bound to show that perform this
duty in good faith, and without any intention of
aggrandiz're ourselves at the expense of
weaker neiohbors, or of conducting ourselves
otherwise thar TO benefit both these
weaker neiqhbors and those European powers
which may be brought into contact with them.
1t is in the highest degree necessary that we
should prove by action that the world may
trust in good faith, and may understand
that this international duty will be performed
by US within our own sphere in the interest
not merely of ourselves, but of all other
tions, and with strict justice toward ali. If this
is done a general acceptance of the Monroe
Doctrine will in the end surely follow; and this
will mean an increase of the sphere in which
peaceful measures for the settlement of inter
national difficulties gradually dispIace those of
a warIike character.
We point with just pride TO what We have
done In Cuba as guarantee of our good faith.
We stayed in Cuba only SO long to start her
Alright on the road to lf-goVernment which
she has since trod with such marked and dis
tinguished success; and upon leaving the island
we exacted no conditions such would
prevent her from ever becoming the prey of the
stranger. Our purpose in Santo Domingo is
beneficent The good that this country got
from its action in Cuba was indirect rather than
direct So ii Is as regards Santo Domingo. The
chief material advantage that will come from
the action proposed to be taken Will be to San
to Domingo itself and TO Santo Domingos
creditors The advantage that will come to the
United States will be indirect. but nevertheless
great, for it is supremey TO our interest that all
be or become prosperous and stable and there
fore not merely in name, but in fact, ndepend-
ent and self governing.
| call attention to the urgent need of prompt
action this matter. We now have great
opportunity to secure peace and stability in the
island without friction bIoodshed, by acting
in accordance with the cordial invitation of the
governmental authorities themselves 1t will
be unfortunate from every standpoint il we
fail to grasp this opportunity, for such failure
will probably increasing revolutionary
violence in Santo Domingo, and very possibly
embarrassing foreign complications in addition
This protocol affords practical test of the
efficiency of the United States governments in
maintaining the Monroe Doctrine
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House. February 10, 1905.