New-York tribune., 1905-02-16
DOMINICAN TREATY In.
President, IN Special Message, GiUes
Reasons for His Action.
TTRoM THE TRIBUNE BURrAu.I


Washington. Feb 15.-The President to-day
transmitted to the Senate the treaty recently
negotiated with Santo Domingo. accompanying
1t with message which exhaustively discusses
the relations of this country with the improvi-
dent republic and points out the necessity of
the United States exercising some control over
its financial affairs as the only method whereby
the Monroe Doctrine be insisted with
justice to all concerned. The message reviews
the relations of the United States with Santo
Domingo and the efforts of the State Depart
ment to protect the rights of American citizens
which eliminated in the submission of the Santo
Domingo Improvement Company's claims to
court of arbitration. the award of July II. 1904.
and the requirement of the customs receipts of
Porto Plata and Monte Crist under that award.
1t says that in order to maintain the Monroe
Doctrine it was necessary for the United States
to see that just debts contracted by South and
Central American republics and those Of the
West Indies should be paid and therefore 1t
was in the interest of peace for this govern
ment TO take control of the revenues of Santo
Domingo. The Monroe Doctrine is discussed at
some length. especially regards the relations
of the United States to the republics of the
south. In protecting these republics and guaran-
teeing their territorial integrity it is said to be
necessary to see that just debts and obligations
contracted by those republics are paid, so that
foreign Intervention in the affairs Of such re-
publics may be avoided.
The message. which was somewhat long. did
not reach the Senate until late hour. because
OF the understanding that the Swayne mpeach-
| ment proceedings would not end until ) o'clock.
and the document was not read in full, but was
referred, with the treaty, to the Committee
Foreign Relations. the treaty not yet having
been opened. The President sent both docu-
To he oF
which can be removed only by unanimous con-
sent of the Senate or by majority vote
There is a disposition to consider the treaty
promptly, and it is expected that a special meet
ing of the Committee on Foreign Relations will
be called at an early date for that purpose.
Prominent Senators expect that comparatively
little opposition will be encountered in the rati-
fcation of the treaty. although it is known that
few Democrats will speak against it. Senators
! who discussed with the President with the
State Department the events leading up to the
signing of the Dominican protocol of January 70
believe that the action of the State Department
has been judiCious and advisable and that the
Republican majority will vote unit to ratify
the convention received to-day, which. II is as
sumed, will embody the essential provisions or
the protocol.
1t is declared that the arrival of the treaty
effectualy disposes of the Bacon resolution call
ing on the President for information regarding
the action already taken in Santo Domingo and
concerning the award OF July IA. ana commence
is expressed that the course of the administra
ton in the premises has been entirely warrant
ed by existing conditions. The Senate to-day
ordered the Bacon resolution referred TO q SUD-
committee of the Foreign Relations Committee
to be appointed by Senator Cuom. The motion
70 refer was made by Senator Bacon, who said
! rnany questions of law were involved and he de-
sired that a non-partsan report be made.
1t was generally expected that the President
would suggest to the Senate the advisabiHty or
making public both the treaty and the message
which accompanied it. but no such request was
contained in the message, according TO those
who heard it read.
The treaty, which was drawn up by Mr. Daw-
SON. the American Minister to Santo Domingo,
and Mr. Sanchez, the Foreign Minister in Presi-
dent Moraless government, reached Washington
this morning and was Immediately taken by
Secretary Hay to the White House. II was
necessary to read the treaty carefully TO make
sure that 1t agreed precisely with the outline OF
its provisions received by cable and with the
anendatory instructions of the State Depart
ment So the President and Secretary Hay
went over il and found that it was ready FOR
transmission to the Senate. Briefly stated, the
treaty provides that the United States shall col
lect the customs revenues of Santo Domingo
and turn over to President MOraess govern
ment a specified percentage TO meet the eX-
penses of administration and disburse the re-
mainder among foreign creditors. The United
Santo Domingo and the treaty must be ap-
proved by the United States Senate and the
dominican Congress In anticipation Of the
rival of the treaty message had been prepared
to accompany it when sent to the Senate