New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-30
SANT0 DOMINGO LUCKY.
SITUATTCN TIDED OYER.
Presidents acceptance of Dominican
Proposition Commended.
rFRoM rHE rRrBUxE puREAU.l ]

tFRoM TRIBUNE BUREAU.l
Washington. March 29.-General commenda-
ton has greeted the Presidents decision to as
sent 10 the modus vivendi proposed by Santo
Domingo. Several prominent diplomats express
the opinion that a clever method of tiding over
a delicate situation has thus been devised. In
legislative circles attention Is called to the fact
that Senator German although he expressed IN
unequivocal terms his disapprobation of the
Dominican treaty. has publicly admitted that
there was no other course which the President
could properly pursue under the existing circum-
stances.
Some surprise is expressed. however, that so
keen statesman Senator Morgan snouio
confound the Presidents assent to santo Do
mingo's proposition with the establishment OF
a protectorate over santo Domingo or should
declare that the President has done exactly
what the Senate refused TO give him the author
ity to do and without such authority from the
treaty making power of the government
Not only does Senator Morgan's statement
contradict Senator Germans statement tnat the
President has pursued the only course possioie
under the circumstances. but. In the opinion OF
leading Senators it is wholly at variance with
the facts.
In support Of this latter statement it is point
ed out that the arrangement sanctioned oy the
President yesterday does not:
claims against Santo Domingo
second-Provide for commissions for such ad-
judication .,,a
Third-Authorize the United States to take
charge of the Dominican custom houses
Fourth-Remove those American citlzehs VINO Wno'
by appointment from the DomlnGah sovvrn ''s9or,
ment will take charge of the Dominican custom
houses from the operations of Dominican laws
and the jurisdiction OF the Dominican JUDICIARY
Fifth-Provide for any payments on lndeotea-
ness Of Dorinicans but instead provides merely
for the sequestratlon of % Per sent OF DoIlihi
can customs pending the action or the oehate.
Sixth-Provide that the United states may
take such steps as 1t may deem proper 10 pre-
SERGE order in Santo Domingo. and make many
other minor provisions contained In the treaty
The argument is not therefore. In the estirna-
ton OF prominent members of the Senate, "ex-
actIy what the Senate refused" or anything ap-
preaching the terms of the treaty but is as
was stated in these dispatches of yesterday.
merely means of so preserving the status quo
as to render possible the execution of the pend
ing treaty in the event that 1t receives the ap-
proyal of the Senate an obligation which is I'M
posed on both Santo Domingo and the United
States by the Senates failure to ratify the pro-
tocol
1t is declared by those IN position to know
that. whatever may be the eventual fate OF the
treaty. there will be criticism of the Presi-
dent either side of the Senate for asserting to
the proposed modus vivendi. save perhaps from
who never fail to criticiss every act of a Re
publican Executive IL Is believer, nore5Eer.
that with the informLdon which the President
will be prepar.1 to send to the Sen ate next fall
and after full and free dscusS,Sa of the sub
ject the Senate will act on the protocol on pure
l. patriotic ground. and irrespective of partisan
considerations and the prediction that the treaty
will then be ratified is freely made
With view acquiring all the information
which the Senate may desire before acting final
ly or the treaty, the President has selected
Jacob H Hollander TO investigate the fiscal con-
ditons of Santo Domingo. and Mr. Hollander
will endeavor to secure such information as
will enable him integently to estimate the
approximate aggregate of Santo DominCos in
debtedness so that the Senate may be advised
on this point before IL becomes necessary to
vote on the protocol. In case Mr.. Hoilander
finds the circumstances surrounding certain OF
the claims agains- Santo Domingo so conTus-
ing as TO render impossible anything like an
accurate estimate of their validity, it iz posi-
Bile THAI the President may summon competent
advisers to assist him in determining the value
of the respective claims, although nothing in
the nature OF final adjudication will be at
tempted in advance of the approval of the pro-
tocol by the Senate
The President will submit TO President Morales
the names of G. r. Cotton. Collector OF Internal
Revenue at Iloilo, Philippine Islands. Mr.. Col
ton now being in this country on leave Of alb
timore. a graduate of Johns Hopkins University.