The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-19
READER TELLS HOW
HIS PLAN FAILED
President Morales Suddenly Be-
came Cold towards Them
HIS WIFE is FROM ALABAMA
She Has Figured conspIcuously In
Several Financial Deals With For.
elgn Islands and Gov
srnments.
HIS WIFE IS FROM ALABAMA

New York. March 1s-Athol B. Reader
and his wife, mentioned by Senator Nor
gan OF Alabama in the Senate Dominican
treaty discussion as composing the Reader
syndicate which had In hand plan for
raising the debts of the Dominican re-
public and the sale of naval port in
the islands to the American government,
are in this city.
1t Is stated that Mrs. Reader was FORM
erly Miss Ella Rawls of Alabama,
stenographer who came to New York In
1891 to seek her fortune. In the course of
five years she has become the owner of
large stenographc bureau in Wall street
and in the course of her business did con-
siderable work for the Venezuelan boun-
dairy commission. Later she went to
London, and representing a prominent
English banking firm, procured from the
sultan of Japore s5OOO,OOO railroad con-
tract While in London she married
Reader. a native of New Zealand, who
travelled widely and acted as confidential
secretary to well known persons. The
couple claim later to have taken charge of
big Peruvian mining deal and by the
diplomatic efforts of Mrs Reader to have
avoided a revolution In that country.
Dillingham; Queered Scheme.
In long statement issued by the Read
ers they set forth their scheme for re-
lievng the Santo Domingo situation
which fell through when Commander Dill
bingham arrived on the scene. They claim
TO have been engaged In the matter by
one Perez, a secret agent here of Presi-
dent Morales. Reader asserts that he con-
suited a well known attorney here (who
yesterday issued a denial of all interest
in Santo Domingo affairs) and after out
lining his plans to the lawyer, took
steamer for the island. There he was re-
ceived by Morales and daily conferences
were held during which documents were
formulated appointing Mrs. Reader fiscal
agent of the Republic in the United States
and giving her authority to negotiate the
treaty for the debt settlement at Wash
ington. as well as the entire financial
rehabilitation of Santo Domingo.
Almost Reached Conclusion.
These matters had the Readers claim,
almost reached a conclusion when Pres-
dent Morales announced that ne had re-
| ceived word through Minister Dawson
that Commander Dillingham; was coming
and all negotiations with Reader were in
stantly stopped.
Reader felt much hurt over the out
come and declares some Interested per-
| son aware of his secret negotiations had
| informed the authorities at Washington.
In reply to a query as to what he was
going to do about 1t, ne asked:
What can / do about itY'
| Mr. Reader said on January he called
on President Morales and saw Mr.. San
chez who said that United States Min
lister Dawson had advised the Dominican
government not to proceed with Reader
but to negotiate direct with Washington.
II asked him." said Mr. Reader. If this
was not very sudden and unexpected and
he seemer confused and anxious to avoid
giving offense l asked him II he was
quite sure of Mr.. Dawsons authority and
| he said the president had seen a cable
from Washington and that they were
waiting to receive another cable from
Washington that day to the effect that a
special commission was leaving Washing
! ton within twenty-four hours for Santo
! Domingo city.
Morales Was Confused.
II saw President Morales and asked
him why he had proceeded SO far with
me, had accepted everything and had
| gone so far as to make out the telegram
appointing Mrs. Reader as his fiscal agent
and representative In Washington II he
had not intended to complete his arrange
| ments
President Morales also seemed con-
| fused and upset. He said
"'What can l do: l am frightened at
| the big stick and dare not, under pres
| ent circumstances offend President Roose-
| velt.'
II asked him 4 Minister Dawson pro-
| posed to make any arrangements for the
cancellation of external debts or relieve
Santo Domingo from IS present embar-
raised condition and he said he did not
think so. and begged me to return In a
months time. when he would be free to
| take up the question of the external debt,
! and the other concessions.
ION Saturday. January a. Commander
Dillingham; arrived at Santo Domingo city
from Porto Rico by the United States
| gunboat Castine and Immediately pro-
ceeded with negotiations with President
Morales in conjunction with United States
Minister Dawson. On Tuesday, January
II, left Santo Domingo city,