Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-02-23

Washington Feb. 20.-President
Rooseyelt's message, transmitting to
the senate the new Dominican proto-
col OF an agreement providing for the
collection and disbursement by the
United States of the customs revenues
Of San Domingo for the adjustment of
all the obligations of that government,
was yesterday made public by order
of the senate in executive session.
The document includes the new agree
ment as we'll as the original protocol
and the award of the commission OF
arbitration for the settlement of the
claims of the San Domingo Improve
ment company. under which agents OF
the United States are already collect
ing revenues at certain ports of the
Dominican government.
Few documents that have come to
the senate in relation to any of the
South or Central American or West
India republics have attracted so
much attention. Because of the con-
troversy that has arisen as to the
right of the executive TO enter into
treaty arrangements with any foreign
government without the advice and
consent of the senate extraordinary
interest has been aroused. The doc
ument came to the senate Wednesday
an hour past the usual time for most
senators to leave the chamber and
therefore it was brought up soon after
the senate convened yesterday. The
message of the president outlind the
policy OF the administration in rela-
ton to the Monroe doctrine, holding
that III demanded that this govern
ment take charge of the customs of
American states when it is manifest
that they are unable to maintain their
own integrity
Monroe Doctrine Applied.
In addition to the presidents dis
cussion of the Monroe doctrine in
the case of San Domingo, the protocol
itself makes a specific declaration of
its application and in that respect Is
unusual in treaty making. The dec
laration occurs in the second para.
graph, which recites that the govern.
ment of the United States views amy
attempt on the part of governments
outside of this hemisphere to Cypress
the destiny of the Dominican republic
as a manifestation of an unfriendly
disposition towards the United
States"
An especial point is made by the
president that this government does
not propose to take any part of San
Domingo or TO exercise any other con,
troll over the island save what is nee
essary to its financial rehabilitation
in connection with collecting revenue,
part of which will be turned over to
the government to meet the necessary
expenses of running it and part OF
which will be distributed pro rata
among the creditors of the republic
upon the basis of absolute equity.
Discussing the course aggrieved ma,
lions may take against American re-
publics without interference with tae
Monroe doctrine, the president says
any action may be taken which does
not take the shape of interference
with their form OF government or Of
despotlment of their territory under
any disguise; but, short Of this when
the question Is one of a money claim,
the only way which remains, finally,
to collect II is a blockade, or lombard
ment or seizure of a customhouse,
and this means, what is in effect
possession, even though only tempo
rary possession of territory. The
United States then becomes a party IN
interest, because under the Monroe
doctrine ii cannot see any European
power seize and permanently occupy
the territory Of one Of these repub.
lies. and yet such seizure of territory
disguised or untisgutsed, may eyentu.
ally offer the only way in which the
power in question can collect any
debts. unless there is interference on
the part Of the United States.
Nations Pressed Their Claims.
Incorporated in the message IL
financial statement showing that the
Dominican government owes toforeign
governments 100000 and that SIS.
100000 OF this amount ID recognized.
The president discusses at length the
negotiations for the collection OF these
debts and says that as the foreign gov.
ernments were put on from time 70
time. they became importunate in
pressing their unsatisfed demands
Continuing, the president says:
As the result of chronic disorders.