The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-05

ment from collecting a just debt; on
the other hand, it is very inaGvisable
to permit any foreign power to take
/ possession, even temporarily, of the
customhouses of an American repub-
lie in order to enforce the payment
of its obligations; for such temporary
occupation might turn into a perma-
uent occupation. The only escape from
these alternatives may at any time be
! that we must ourselves undertake to
bring about some arrangement by
which SO much as possible of A just OBJ
/ legation shall be paid. 1t is far bet
ter that this country should put
through such an arrangement, rather
than allow any foreign country to IN
dertake it To do so insures the de-
faulting republic from having to pay
debts Of an improper character under
duresss while it also insures honest
creditors Of the republic from being
passed by in the interest of dishonest
or grasping creditors. Moreover, for
the United States to take such a posi-
ton offers the only possible way of in
surfing US against a clash with some
foreign power The position is, there
fore, in the interest of peace as well
as in the interest of justice. 1t is of
benefit to our people; it is of benefit
to foreign peoples; and most of all it
/ is really of benefit to the people of the
country concerned.
This brings me to what should be
enc of the fundamental objects of the
Monroe Doctrine. We must ourselves
in good faith try to help upward to-
ward peace and order those of our sis
ter republics which need such help.
! Just as there has been a gradual
growth of the ethical element in the
relations of one individual to another,
so we are even though slowly, more
and more coming to recognize the duty
of bearing one another's burdens, not
only as among individuals, but also as
among nations.
Sonto DOnai1luO.
Santo Domingo, in her turn, has
now made an appeal to US to help her,
and not only every principle of wisdom
but every generous instinct within us
bids US respond to the appeal 1t is
not of the slightest consequence
whether we grant the aid needed by
Santo Domingo as an incident to the
wise development of the Monroe Doc
trine, OF because we regard the case of
SantO Domingo as standing wholly by
itself and to be treated as such, and
not on general principles or with any
reference to the Monroe Doctrine The
important point is 10 be the needed
aid. and the case is certainly sufficient
ly peculiar to deserve to be judged
purely on its own merits. The cOndi-
tons in SantO Domingo have for
number of years grown from bad to
worse until q year ago all society was
on the verge of dissolution. Fortu-
nately just at this time a ruler sprang
up i'm SantO Domingo. who, with his
colleagues. saw the dangers threaten
ing their country and appealed to the
/ friendship of the only great and pow
erful neighbOr who possessed the pow
er, and as they hoped also the will TO
help them. There was imminent dan
ger Of foreign Intervention. The pre-
viOus rulers of Santo Domingo had
recklessly incurred debts, and owing
to her internal disorders she had
ceased to be able to provide means Of
paving the debts. The patience of her
foreign creditors had become exhaust
ed. and at least two foreign nations
We're on the point of intervention, and
were only prevented from intervening
by the unofficial assurance of this gov
eminent that it would itself strive to
help SantO Domingo in her hour Of
need. In the case of one of these ma
lions, only the actual opening of nego-
tiations to this end by our government
prevented the seizure of territory in
SantO Domingo by a European power.
Of the debts incurred some were just.
While some We're not Of a character
which really renders it obligatory on,
or proper for, SantO Domingo to pay
them in full But she could not pay
any of them unless some stability was
assured her government and people.
Accordingly the executive depart
ment Of our government negotiated
treaty under which we are to try to
help the Dominican people to ight-
1 en- out their finances. This treaty is
pending before the senate. In the
meantime temporary arrangement
has been made which will last until
the senate has had time to take ac-
I ton upon the treaty. Under this ar
rangement the Dominican government
| has appointed Americans to all the inn
portant positions in the customs SER
wee, and they are seeing to the honest
collection OF the revenues. turning over
- per cent to the government for run
I ming expenses and putting the other 3
per cent into a safe depositary for
equitable division in case the treaty
shall be ratified, among the various
creditors, whether European or Amer
/ lean.
The custom houses offer well-nigh
4 the only sources of revenue in SantO
I Domingo, and the different revolutions
usually have as their real aim the OBJ
/ tanning possession of these custom
houses. The mere fact that the collec-
/ tors of customs are Americans, that
/ they are performing their duties with
ernciency and honesty, and that the
treaty IS pending in the senate, gives
a certain moral power to the govern
nent OF SantO Domingo which it has
not had before. This has completely
/ discouraged all revolutionary move
ment, while it has already produced
such an increase in the revenues that
/ the government is actually getting
/ more from the As per cent that the
American collectors turn over to it
/ than it got formerly when it took the
entire revenue. It is enabling the poor
harassed people of Santo Domingo
once more to turn their attention to
industry and to be free from the curse
/ of interminable revolutionary disturb
ance. It offers to all bona fide credf-
tors American and European. the
/ only really good chance to obtain that
/ to which they are justly entitled. while
! IL IN return gives to SantO Domingo the
I only opportunity of defense against
claims which it ought not to pay. for
now if it meets the views of the senate
we shall ourselves thoroughly examine
/ all these claims, whether American or
foreign, and see that none that are inn
proper are paid. There is, of course.
opposition to the treaty from dishon-
est creditors, foreign and American.
/ and from the professional revolution
] lists of the island ftsaIf We have al