The San Francisco call., 1905-03-09
MIR. RoosEvELTs MESSAGE.
President. Again Explains Purpose of
Dominican Convention.

OOuNCnLlOu.
WASHINGTON March s.-The Sem
ate in executive session to-day made
public the, second message of President
Roosevelt on the Santo Domingo
treaty. The message follows:
To the Senate: 1 wish to call the attention
of the Senate at this executive session to the
treaty with Santo Domingo feel that 1
ought to state to the Senate that the condi-
ton of affairs in Santo Domingo Is such that
it is very much for the interest of that re-
public that action on the treaty should be
had at early. moment the Senate.
after giving the matter full consideration. may
find practicable.
1 call attention to the following facts:
L. This treaty entered into at the
earnest request of santo Domingo herself, and
is designed to afford Santo Domingo relief
and assistance Its primary benefit will be
to Santo Domingo. 1t offers the method most
/ likely to secure peace and to prevent war in
the island
2. The benefit to the United States will con-
sist chiefly in the tendency under the treaty
to secure stability. order and prosperity in
Santo Domingo, and the removal of the ap-
prehension lest foreign powers make aggres-
sions on Santo Domingo in the course of col
lecting claims due to their citizens. for it is
generally to interest that all the islands
in the Caribbean Sea should enjoy peace and
prosperity and feel goodwill toward this coun-
try. The benefit TO honest creditors will come
from the fact that, for the first time, under
this treaty. practicable method of attempt
ing to settle the debts due them will be in
3. Many of the debts alleged to be due from
SantO -DOmlngO TO outside creditors unqueS-
tionably their face represent far more
money than ever was actually given Santo
Domingo. The proposed treaty provides for a
process by which impartial experts will de-
termine what debts are valid and what are. in
whole. or in part, invalid and will apportion
accordingly the surplus revenue available for
the payment of the debts This treaty offers
the only method for preventing the collection
of fraudulent debts, whether owed to Ameri-
cans or to citizens Of other nations.
4. This treaty affords the most practicable
means Of obtaining payment for the just
claims of American citizens.
D.. If the treaty is ratified creditors belong
ing to other nations will have exactly as
of the United States and at the same time
Santo Domingo will be protected against un-
just and exorbitant claims If ii is not rati-
hed the chances are that American creditors
will fare Ill compared with those of other
nations, for foreign nations, being denied the
opportunity to get what is rightfuily due
their citizens under the proposed arrange
ment. will be left to collect the debts due
their creditors they see fit; provided, of
course, there is not permanent occupancy OF
United States will have nothing to say as
to what debts should should not be COL
lected; and as Santo Domingo will be left with
out aid, assistance or protection II is rnpos-
will not be improper in amount In such
event whatever is collected by means of for
chile intervention will be applied to the cred
itors of foreign nations in preference to cred
itors who are citizens of the United States.
g. The correspondence between the Secretary
of State and the Minister of Hayti. submitted
to the Senate several days ago, shows that
our position Is explicitly and unreservedly
that, under no circumstances. do we intend
to acquire territory in possession of either
these letters that. even II the two republics
desired to becous part OF the United Statea