The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-17

titsi agreed with the companies that The value of their bonds and properties was s4,5O0O00, and they submitted to arbitra- ton the question as to the installments in which this sum should be paid and the security that should be given. The Hon. George Gray, judge of the United States circuit court of appeals. and the Hon. Manuel de J. Calvin, both named by the Dominican government, and the Hon. J. G. Carlisle. named by the United States, were the arbitrators and rendered their award on July II, 1904. By its terms the Dominican government was to pay the above mentioned sum of S4500, coo with per cent interest per annum in monthly installments of S37,b0O each dur ing two years, and of S41 666G6 each month thereafter, beginning with the month of September, 1904, said award to be secured by the customs revenues and port dues of all the ports on the northern coast of santo Domingo. The award further pro- vides for the appointment of a financial agent of the United States, who was authorized In case of failure during any month to receive the sum then due to en- ter into possession of the custom house at Pueto Plata In the first instance and assume charge of the collection of cus- toms duties and port dues, and to fix and determine these duties and dues and
 
 collected at Puerto Plata should at any time be insufficient for the payment of the amounts due under the award or in the case of any other manifest necessity or in case the Dominican government should so request, the financial agent of the United States was authorized to have and exercise at any and all of the other ports above described all the rights and powers vested in him by the award in respect of Puerto Plata. Under the award the financial agent could only ap- ply the revenues collected toward its pay ment after he had first paid the expenses of collecting and certain other obiga- tions styled apardos which constituted prior charges on the revenues assigned
 These prior charges are specified In the award. The Dominican government defaulted in their payments; and in vir- tue of the award and the authority con- ferred by the Dominican government and at it's request, possession was demanded of the custom house of Porto Plata to the fiscal agent appointed by the Unit ed States to collect the revenues assigned by the arbitrators for the payment of the award; and in virtue of the same au- thority possession of the custom house of Monte Cristi have been handed over l submit herewith a report of MT John Moore agent of the United States in this case and copy of the award of tae arbltrators.
 Are Growing More Importunate.
 During the past two years the Euro- pean claimants, except the English, whose interests were embraced in those of the American companies. have with the support of their respective govern ments, been growing more and more i.,,,& ,.t., demands. The French and Belgians In 1901 had entered into a contract with the Dominican government, but after few payments were made on account it fell into neglect. Other governments also obliged the Dominican government to enter into arrangements of various kinds by which the revenues of the republic were in part sequestered and one of the agreements which was concluded with Italy in 1903. the minister of the govern ment was empowered directly to collect from the importers and exporters that portion of the customs revenues assigned to him as security"
 Further, the President says: "On ac- count of chronic disorders, attended with a constant increase of debt, the state of things In Santo Domingto has become hopeless, unless the United States or some other strong government shall in- lttpOSc tO Dilnb OiueT out ol cHdOS. The custom houses with the exception of two in the possession of the financial agents appointed by the United States have be- come unproductive for the discharge of indebtedness except as to persons making emergency loans to the government or to its enemies for the purpose of carrying on political contests by force. They have, in fact, become the nucleo of the various revolutions.
 ha or5t, oR and International arbitration are abso- lutely impotent to deal wisely and ef- Actively with the situation in the Domi- nican republic which can only be met by organizing Its finances on sound basis and by placing the custom houses be- yond the temptation of insurgent chief tafns Elmer we must abandon our duty under our traditional policy toward the Dominican people. who aspire to A re- publican form of government while they are actually drifting into a condition of permanent anarchy In which case we must permit some other government to adopt It's own measures in order to safe guard it's own interests, or else we must ourselves take seasonable and appropriate action"
 Similar to Cuban Plan.
 It is suggested by. the President that If a plan could be adopted in regard to San Domingo similar to that in the Platt amendment for the government of Cuba it would probably be solution to the problem. The message concludes as fol- lows:
 We, on our part, are simply perform ing in a peaceful manner, not only with the cordial acquiescence but in accord ance with the earnest request of the government concerned, part of that inter- national duty which is necessarily in- volyed in the assertion of the Monroe doctrine. We are bound to show that we perform this duty in good faith and without any intention of aggrandiz- ing ourselves otherwise than so as to benefit both these weaker neighbors and those European powers which may be brought into contact with them, It Is in the highest degree necessary that we should prove by our action that the world may trust in our good faith and may understand that this international duty will be performed by us within our own sphere, in the interest. not merely or ourselves, but of all other nations, and with strict justice toward all 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 internal difficulties will gradually dlsplace those of warlike character.
 Can Point With Pride.
 ''We can point with just pride to what we have done in Cuba as a guarantee of our good faith. We stayed in Cuba only so long as to start her alright on the road to cole ,,,t,ioL aLo ,...