The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-08
CHANGE DOMINGO PROTOCOL.
wren ALTERED TREATY TO GO
BEFORE THE SENATE.
rrrclEn Committee Reduces II TO n Mere
agreement 10 Adjust the Present
rrOuble--Nay lie Ratified Sooner
rhau Npected--Morgan's Demands.

Trouble-Nay lie Ratified Sooner
rhau ENpected--Morgan's Demands
AsHiNGToN. March Developments
ay made it pretty apparent that the
..u Domingo protocol. while ultimately
ia.v 20 ratified. will be so am ended and
,-uE-d when il comes before the Senate
70. anul action that it will be a plain
..dchforward agreement to adjust the
present pecuniary troubles OF the Domini-
can Republic without committing the Uuted
states 70 any future policy or serve as
guarantee that this Government should act
as policeman for Latin America or a debt
collecting agency in the Western hemis-
phera for European nations.
such rapid progress was made to-day
Nv Tho Committee on Foreign Relations in
revising the protocol that some Senators
are lightning TO chang "a their view of yes
teriay that the special session will run
into next month. Some are predicting
now that it will end with next week. but a
fair number Of their colleagues are stil
inclined to believe that at east three weeks
viii he required
Without division on party lines the Com
mlttee on Foreign Relations agreed that
the treaty should be amended by striking
from The second paragraph OF the preamble
the declaration that the United States would
view any attempt on the part Of gov
enments outside of this hemisphere to
Cypress or control the destiny Of the Do
mncan Republic as a manifestation Of
an mfriendly disposition toward the United
States
II was agreed that it would be impolitic
to place in a treaty with any country a
bald outline OF the Monroe Doctrine. which
might be construed in other eIigencies to
apply only 10 such cases as are covered by
the proposed treaty with Santo Domingo
Two other important changes were made |
hy the committee. One OF these was de-
signed TO make il clear that the Govern I
ment should not be regarded as responsible /
for any future debt of the Dominican Re-
public and the other that the United States
could not undertake to adjust any existing
obligation Of Santo Domingo unless specific
ally invited TO do so by a foreign govern
ment having claims against the republic.
In the two sessions Of the committee.
both long. Senator Morgan OF Alabama, Z
the leader Of the opposition had much to
say about the likelihood that the protocol
in the shape It was submitted to the Senate
would lead TO the establishment of United
States protectorate over Santo Domingo
dent in his confidential message that the
Government has no Intention Of Runexng
Santo Domingo. but be wanted assn. ices
that there was an equally positive intention
not To establish a protect crate None Of
the Republican members Of the committee
was able 10 give the assurances Mr.. Morgan
desired, hut some Of them will see the
President ana learn his views in that CON
neCtion.
Verbal changes intended to perfect the
I rpafE and tn smoothly rlAarI no ]
respective duties Of the United States and
Santo Domingo were made by the com
mttee and the protocol as thus tentatively
amended was sent TO the printing office
The committee print will be again con
sidered tomorrow morning. and il is
hoped that it will Toe ready 10 he reported
to the Senate tomorrow afternoon.
Il is probable that the committee will
not report the treaty favorably or unfavor-
ably. merely submitting IL to the Senate
with the verbal changes thought 10 be
necessary. and leaving TO the Senate the /
iuest ton Of agreeing to the policy recon- {
nended by the President The committee {
Is trying as far as possible to anticiuate @
amendments that may be suggested by
senators so that when the treaty reaches
me Senate II may lie considered on the
broad grounds OF national policy and not
rs 10 The particular form of the treaty
Senator Bacon OF Georgia o-dav Withdraw
1S resolution calling for report from the
onrnlttee on Foreign Relations as 10 the ,
lndine force Of the prOtocolnow being exc
'rted for the payment Of the debts Of the
'an Domingo Improvement Company of {
New York In accordance with the siIRRes- f,
ION Of several Senator's he will submit the
esoutIon amended so that il will call for =,
report on the general question of the I;
'oVer OF the Executive 10 enter into such ,
ompacts without the Senate's advice and !
onspnt
The discussion in the Senate was informal 4"
ecause the protocol was not properly before !
ne Chamber It was participated in by :.
enators Spooner. Teller Platt and others.
addition TO Senators Morgan end Bacon L
Mr. Morgan advocated an investigation
mo the character of Santo Domingo's debts
eIore entering into any obligation TO insure
neir payment from the customs revenues
= the country. He said there was no doubt n.
nat large percentage il not the great -
NIX Of the claims against the republic IA
ere fraudulent. He said that this Gov "a
m ment would be liable if fraudulent debts OF
ere paid hl
ne disposition Of many Senators is to Y
ny me session short. whether the treaty W
ratified or not The are tired and bust
'ss calls them home II a fight develops "
sainst the treaty il il quite possible that it 50
aY fail OF ratification through lack OF 70
quorum Of the Senate.