Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-17

met by organizing its finances on \
| sound basis and by placing the custom,
| houses beyond the temptation of inslr-
gent chieftains. Either We must aban-
| don our duty under oar traditional pol-
| icy toward the DomnicaE people. or
| t'Se we must ourselves take seasonable
and appropriate action. 1t has now be-
come evident that decided action of
some kind cannot be much longer de-
| layed.
That most wise measure OF interna-
tional craftsmanship, the Platt amend
| trent. has provided a method for pre-
venting such difficulties from arising
III the new republic of Cuba. If SINH
lar plan could now be entered upon BY
the Dominican republic, it would I'M
"oubt"dly be Of great advantage TO
mem, ana TO all other peoples for un-
der such an arrangement no larger
dtbt would be incurred than could be
honestly paid.
fut no such plan and under existing
CIRCUMSTANCES, when the condition of
dHalfS becomes such as it has become
III Sahto Domingo, either we must sub
ihft l" the likrlyhool of infringement of
"" Monroe Doctrine. lii this case
fortunately, the prudent and far seeing
craftsmanship of the Dominican gov
eminent has relieved US OF all troubles.
NJ their request, we have entered into
Tie agreement herewith submitted UNI
der 1t the custom houses will be admin
istercd peacefully. honestly ana eco
nomically. Il per cen. Of the proccad-
inGs being turned over to the Dominic
can government .D1 ba y. ~ ;,,J.,, ~,
ing used by tn United States 10 nav
what the proportion of the debts it is
possible 10 pay on an equitable basis
The republic VIII BE secured against
overseas aggression. This in reality
entails no obligation upon us for the
Monroe Doctrine means precisely such
Il guarantee on our part.
1t is perhaps unnecessary to state no
step Of any kind has been taken by the
administration under the terms Of the
protocol. which is herewith submitted
The republic of Santo Domingo has
Ivy this protocol wisely and patrioticai-
ly accepted the responsibilities as we'll
us the privileges Of liberties, as 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 it has
done this we should not permit it to be
molested. We on our part are simply
performing i'll peaceful manner, not
only with the cordial acquiescence but
i'll accordance with the regulations of
the government concerned, part of that
international duty which is necessarily
involved in the assertion of the Mon
roe doctrine. 1t is in the highest de-
gree necessary that we should prove
by our action that the world may
trust in our good faith and may I'M
derstand that this international duty
will be performed by us within our
own sphere. in the interest. not merely
of ourselves. but of all other nations.
and with strict justice toward all. If
this is done, 4 general acceptance of
the Monroe doctrine will in the end
surely follow; and this will mean an
increase of the sphere in which peace
full measures for the settlement of in
ternational difficulties gradually dis
placed those of warlike character.
The chief material advantage that
Will come from the action proposed to
be taken. will be to Santo Domingo it.
self and to Santo Domingo's creditors.
The advantage that will come to the
United States will be indirect. but nev-
erthelesS great. for it is supremely to
our interest that all communities i'm
mediately south of us should become
prosperous. and stable. and therefore
not merely in name, but in fact, indie
pendent and self governing.
In closing. the President saws:
81 call attention to the urgent need
of prompt action on this matter. 1t
VIII be unfortunate from every stand
point if we fail TO grasp this oppor-
tunity, for such failure will probably |
mean increasing revolutionary violence
in Santo Domingo and very possibly |
embarrassing foreign complications in |
addition. This protocol affords a prac- |
teal test Of the efficiency of the United |
states government in the matter of |
the Monroe doctrine"
me protocol of an agreement is as |
follows: Whereas the Dominican |
government in view of the debts which |
burden the republic, the imminent peril |
and urgent menace of intervention on |
the part of the nations whose citizens |
i'S'NC tl'tiillS dlItdlN eSIlDIlSneu TO |
be established. finding itself as it does. |
unable peremptorily to fulfill its obli- |
cations on account Of the condition to |
which the political disturbances ana |
other troubles, have brought to the
treasury, the result being that these
obllgatlons are falling due without il |
having been possible to pay them, or
even the interest thereon desires 10
reach an arrangement with all its
creditors and the government itself
succeed i'll assuring the regular receipt |
Of revenues sufficient for the payment
of its internal administration and the
of its administrative au-
without any interruption by
the cXigencieS of foreign creditors or
by internal political disturbances. and.
Whereas, the government Of the
United States of America, viewing any
attempt on the part of any govern
mentS outside of this hemisphere to
Cypress or control the destiny Of the
Dominican republic as a manifestation
Of all unfriendly disposition towards
the United States is in compliance with
the request of the Dominican govern