Arizona republican., 1905-03-09
SEVEN REASONS
Why the Dominican Treaty
 Should Be Ratified
IS NO SELFISH MOTIVE
On the Part of the United StateS-It Is for the Islands Good and InCi- dentaIly the American Creditor Would Fare Better.

Washington, March S.-The senate in executive session today made pub- lie the second message of President Roosevelt on the Santo Domingo treaty. The message follows:
 gro the senate: I wish to call the attention of the senate at this session to the treaty with Santo Domingo. I feel that I ought to state to the sen ate that the condition of affairs in San to Domingo is such that 1t is very much for the interest of that republic that action cn the treaty should be had at as early moment as the senate, after giving the matter full cOnsidera- tion, may find practicable.
 'I call attention to the following facts: First, This treaty was entered into at the earnest request of Santo Domingo herself, and is designed to afford Santo Domingo relief and as- sistance. Its primary benefit will he to Santo Domingo It offers a meth cd most likely to secure peace and to prevent war in the island.
 Second. The benefit to the United
 States will consist chiefly in the ten dency under the treaty to secure sta bility. order and prosperity in Santo Domingo and removal of apprehension lest foreign powers make aggressions i on Santo Domingo in the course of col lecting claims due their citizens for 1t is generally our interest that all islands in the Caribbean sea should enjoy peace and prosperity and feel good will toward this country. Benefit to l.on- est creditors will come from the fact that for the first time under this treaty a practicable method of attempting to settle debts due them will be inaugd- rated
 Third. Many of the debts alleged to be from Santo Domingo to outside creditors unquestionably on their face represent far more money than ever was actually given to Santo Domlniyo. The proposed treaty provides for 9. process by which impartial experts vii: determine what debts are valid and
 what are in the whole or in part in- valid and will apportion accordingly the surplus revenue available for tiie payment of the debts. This treaty of fers the only method for preventing the collection of fraudulent debts whether to Americans or to citizens of other nations.
 Fourth. This treaty affords the most practicable means of obtaining payment for the just claims of ,Ameri- can citizens.
 ''If the treaty is ratified. creditors be- | longing to other nations will have ex- actly as good treatment as creditors who are citizens of the United States and at the same time Santo Domingo will be protected against unjust and exorbitant claims. If it is not ratified the chances are that the Am ,rican creditors will fare i'll as compared with those of other nations; for the foreign nations being denied the opportunity to get what is rightfully due their citizens under the )ropnsad arrangement will be left to collect the debts due their creditors as they see it, provided of course, there is not a permanent occupancy of Dominican territory. As in such a case the Unit ed States will have nothing to say as to what debts should or should not be collected and as Santo Domingo will be left without aid, assistance or pro- lection, it is impossible to state that the sums collected from it will not be improper in amount. In such event i whatever is collected by means of for cible intervention will be applied to the creditors of foreign nations in pre- ference to creditors who are citizens of the United States.
 Sixth. The correspondence between the Secetary or the state and the m1n- ! ister of Hayti submitted to the senate l several days ago, shows that our posi- | tion is explicitly and unreservedly ! that under no circumstances do we in- tend to acquire territory in the posses sion of either Hayti or Santo Domingo, l it being stated in these letters that I even if the two republics desired to be- l come a part of the United States | the United States would certainly re- l fuse to assent.
 Seventh. Santo Domingo grievously | needs the aid of a powerful and friend | ly nation. This aid we are able and ! I trust that we are willing to bestow | She was asked for this aid, and the expressions of friendship repeatedly | sanctioned by the people and govern | ment of the United States warrant her in believeing that it will not be with held in the hour of need.
 "(Signed).
 srr,r rrr.,