New-York tribune., 1905-01-23
AMERICAN PURPOSE IN SANTo DOMINGO.
onat Sfatement Explaining Details of for administering
C0""trys Customs Issued By the Department.

States to assist II in the administration of its
customs revenues, and 70 aid 1t in establishing
Its fiscal system upon firm and businesslike
basis. The government OF the United States
having been explicitly, repeatedly and emphati-
calIy informed by more than one of the great
powers that It ought either 10 try to evolve some
order out OF the financial chaos in the Dominican
Republic. or assent to certain European creditors
OF That republic doing this and to the adminis-
tration OF the Dominican custom house by them,
supported by their warships, has deemed it ad-
Nlsable In view of the unfortunate financial con-
dition in Santo Domingo which for the last ten
years has been rapidly growing worse, TO ac-
ment; and therefore, representatives of this gov
ernment and of Santo Domingo have signed
memorandum OF a proposed agreement looking
10 lhe American control Of the fiscal affairs upon
can government
The United States proposes to guarantee the
IeIFItorlal integrity Of the Dominican govern
ment 1t Is not the purpose OF this government
10 assume protectorate over Santo Domingo.
VI 70 interfere with or to participate in its do
nestlc affairs any further than the collection OF
!ts customs revenue the necessary revision of it's
tarin laws and the adjustment through properly
constituted tribunals or commissioners Of its for
elsn claims and its economic and fiscal organ-
zaton on a sound basis NAV MAKE II essential
to do 'a' '''ANe -
President Morales has signed a decree which
VIII be published to-day. In which the govern
tahe IOlI cherge or all the Dominican custom
houses, TO name all the employees and TO collect
al the revenues, 40 per cert Of which are to be
returned 10 the Dominican government for its
current expenses. The balance is to be used
to meet the interest charges on the acknow-
edged bonded Indebtedness and other lust ob-
cations of the republic. ANY surplus will be
turned over to the Dominican government The
opHgatlons representing the bonded indebtedness
are largely owned by foreign creditors The
government Of the United States does not guar
antee the debts OF Santo Domingo. or agree TO
provide Tor the payment of them, but only prom
Ises 10 Try 10 so organize and adjust the fiscal
administration OF the country that in time their
nquloauon may be accomplished automatically
ana on a OASIS OF equity toward all creditors
1t is believed that If the Dominican revenues
are wisely collected and disbursed all legitimate
claims against the government Will be ultimate
ly satisfied. In this connection it may be added
that under the award OF the tribunal Of arbitra-
ton of July Il, 1904, between the United States
and Santo Domingo IN the sum Of about S4 500-
600, the United States was given the right event
ually to take possession Of the four principal
i,, pOFts on the northern side of the island. and
under the award the fiscal agent appointed by
the United States is now in possession OF the
important custom house at Puerto Plata.
The unfortunate financial condition of Santo
Domingo has more than once in the last decade
brought the United States government face to
face with questions fraught with imminent peril
Inc government Of the United States could not
with due self-respect allow the impression to
deepen and gain currency that the Monroe Doc
trlhe can De used as a shield by American re-
pLoIlcs 10 deny justice to other governments
Many foreign claims just beyond perad-
venture, and, being held by citizens Of various
governments. the problem became increasingly
more difficult to how these claims could be
satisfied under existing conditions with fair
treatment toward all. In some respects a still
more embarrassing feature of the situation has
been that the Dominican government has been
compelled by force 70 pay grossly exorbitant
claims. and the question has arisen whether the
United States should interpose in such cases
Such interposition has never been resorted to
perhaps but once in our history.
Another deplorable feature of the financial sit
uation in Santo Domingo is that her revenues
have been crippled by granting, for song valu-
able concessions which were exempted by stipu-
lation from all taxation. Her interests have com
PEELED the Dominican government TO disregard
these promises Of exemption from taxation, and
this has resulted in numerous and increasing ap-
peals to the Department Of State to interfere
The Dominican government itself reached the
conclusion that its only hope of escape from
bankruptcy was through the assistance OF the
United States government in the organization of
it's finances.
In view OF these grave conditions, the President
has deemed II wise at this time TO assent TO the
strongly expressed wish OF the Dominican gov
ernment