The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-03-29
TIE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
THE DOMINICAN PROTOCOL Is
KNOCKED OUT.
Some of the Topics of Current Interest
That Are Being Discussed by the
Politicians.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

from Our Regular correspondent.
Washington, March 20-All hope Of
ratifying the Dominican protocol has
been abandoned by the president and
the Republican leaders, but the SEN
ate has not yet adjourned sine die, re-
naming in session on the ground that
there are certain judicial nominations
which must be confirmed before the
final adjournment can be taken. On
Thursday Senator M organ Of Alabama
sprung sensation on the senate by
attempting to show that William Mel
son Cromwell, the lawyer, who engi-
neered the sale of the Panama canal
property to the United States and
who is supposed by some Democrats
of having melted the Panama revolu-
ton, had been the deus ex machina Of
the San Domingo situation.
Senator Morgan exhibited to the
senate letters from a Mr.. and Mrs.
Rec formerly of Alabama, in
whi, they charged that Cromwell
had defeated a treaty between Santo
Domingo and the United States, which
has been prepared by Mr.. Reeder and
that he has caused to be substituted
the protocol now under consideration
by the senate. When the proposed"
Reeder treaty was read in the senate
it was found to afford every advantage
to the Republic Of Santo Domingo
and to. the "Reeder Syndicate" but
none to this country and it occasioned
considerable ridicule at the hands Of
the Republicans, but there are many
Democrats who believe that there may
be some foundation for Mr.. Morgan's
chearges at least sufficient to warrant
very thorough Investigation. Sena-
tor Morgan has introduced. in the:
senate resolution instructing the
committee on foreign relations to
conduct such investigation, by SUBJ
committee or otherwise, but at present
there seems little likelihood Of its
adoption. Meanwhile, Mr. Cromwell
emphatically denied that he has now
or ever had any connection whatsoev-
er with Santo Domingo or that he
would profit in any respect from the
ratification OF the protocol.
There is a mystery in Washington
affecting the proposed modification Of
the tariff schedules by congress at its
next session. The mystery attaches to
the promoters of report that the
Republican leaders are contemplating
placing small duty on coffee with a
view to avoiding the necessity of revis-
ing the tariff so that it will afford less
protection and produce more revenue.
It is obvious that some method Of in
creasing the feGaral revenues must be
found as the federal expenses have
tration will be compelled to draw
heavily this year, as it did last, on the
accumulated surplus, but it is not true
that there has been any thought Of
placing duty on coffee, or tea, as is
reported. This report has been indus
triously circulated in Washington for
some days but for time no one of the
more reliable newspapers could be in
duced to father it. Finally it was con-
fided to firm of newspaper writer's
whose business consists of circulating
reports for pay, and then one Of the
leading newspapers Of the country dis
played it prominently in its col
umns. The questions naturally arises.
Who is to profit by the circulation Of
this report To whom is it Of suffic-
lent importance to warrant their pay
ing professional newspaper writer's to
circulate it? Is it a. stock-jobbing
diplomatic circle and is lit put forth
with view to estranging Brazil from
the United States for the benefit Of the
German trade? These are some of the
questions which are being asked and
to which no satisfactory answer is as
yet forthcoming.
There is no doubt but that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will urge the next con-
gress to revise the tariff, but there is
considerable doubt as to whether or
not the congress will heed his recon-
mendations There are strong indica-
tons that the senate will be ready to
respond to the executive urging-in
fact that body has already taken the
first step by authorizing its finance
committee to sit during recess, hold
hearings and subpoena witnesses-but
the senate can do nothing with regard
to the tariff until the house takes the
initiative and that the speaker and