The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-16
SENATE has DOMINGO TREATY
ROOSEVELT PLEADS ron ITS
PROMPT RATIFICiTION.
Now Agreement Submitted win q Message
Declaring That the vitality of tho
Monroe Doctrine Is iny0lvetl--Our
Governments Liability Is Less Now.

Declaring That the vitality of tho
Monroe Doctrine Is Inv olved-Our
ernmcnrs Liability Is Less Now.
WASHINGTON, Feb. i5.-After long
delay the new treaty between the United
State, and Santo Domingo Is before the
Senate. II reached Washington this morn
lup and was sent to the Senate late this
afternoon with a message from President
Roosevelt, urging its ratification and as
sorting that trouble between the United
states ana European Governments was
likely to occur unless the programme pro-
vlded in the treaty for a transfer of au-
thority over Dominican customs to the
United States was carried out.
The treaty now in the Senate's custody
WAS negotiated as result OF criticisms
Of the Dillngham-Sanchez protocol of
Jan 20 That protocol was objected TO
chiefly because the Administration sought
10 carry out it's provisions without sub
hitting it to the Senate.
1t was late n the afternoon when the
treaty reached the Senate. Pension bills
we're then under consideration and there
was no opportunity for an executive ses-
son until nearly O'Clock. Few Senators
were present when the doors were closed.
and Tor that reason. and on account Of
the lateness of the hour the message was
read in part only and the treaty not at
an The only action taken was to order
the message and treaty referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations and
printed for the confidential use of the
Senate.
The President said in his ge that
ad xr.ith n Wow
bringing about a settlement of disturbing
conditions at Santo Domingo, in which
the United states is interested both directly
and indirectly. The demands Of certain
Governments that Santo Domingo should
pay her debts and that the United States
should see that they wers raid or permit
the creditor Governments to exact pay
ment wero asserted by the President to
be so insistent that they could not longer
be ignored. The vitality OF the Monroe
Doctrine was involved in the question
he declared. and the irresistible conclusion
reached was that the United States was
forced to take hand in the settlement OF
6auto Domingos foreign obligations.
The Presidents language regarding the
necessity Of action 70 preserve the vitality
Of the Monroe Doctrine was very pointed
He made it clear that the pressure from
European Governments had been increasing
and could no longer in justice be ignored
On the other hand the tendency Of GER
tain Central American and South American
Governments TO neglect payment of claims
Of foreigners was growing, and the aiterna-
tive was fairly before the United States
Of taking hand in settling the pecuniary
difficulties Of Santo Domingo. notorious
l. .I,,s . ol.fr. af .,,-e -
Ierrttng foreign Governments TO force
eettlemcnt Of their claims.
The President declared that II creditor
nations attempted to enforce their claims
the Inevitable result would be the ocou-
patton OF ports, for long or short period,
which would lead 10 embarrassment and
possible collision with this Government In
it, jealous enforcement OF the Monroe
Doctrine,
The treaty was negotiated on the re-
quest Of the Government of Santo Domingo
Rnd provides that the United States through
it, agents shall take possession and adj
minister the receipts OF the ports of Santo
Domingo, paying 45 per cent. 10 the Cow
emment's creditors and the balance 10 that
Government
The nted States disclaims any intention
10 assume sovereignty and promises to
respect the integrity OF Santo Domingo.
1t is provided in the convention that II
shall be effective only after ratification
ythe nited States Senate and the Dom
inican Congress The treaty is signed by
Minister Dawson and Juan Francisco
Sanchez. Minister Of Foreign Relations.
The most important change from the
provisions OF the rejected protocol con-
Germs the question OF Dominican integrity.
In the Diihngham-Sanchez arrangement it
was provided that the United States Gov
eminent should guarantee the integrity
of santo Domingo rc make such an inn
rortaut engagement in an agreement
that had been concluded without the advice
and consent of the senate was regarded by
great majority of Senator's as uncon-
etitutional and entirely beyond the powers
vested in the Executive.
Outside OF the irregularity Of the ar
rangement Senators found cause for OBJ
lection in the provision Per SC, in that it
virtually pledged this Government to use
IT. military and naval forces 10 prevent
any change in the territorial and political
entity Of foreign nation.
This provision has been modified in the
treaty transmitted TO the Senate to-day.
As It now stands il commits the United
States only to respect the integrity Of Santo
Domingo, which means that the privileges
granted to this Government by the treaty
viii not be used 10 accomplish American
sovereignty over the territory of the West
Indian republic.
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