The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-07
The SANTODOMINGOPROT
Evidence THiT IT WILL M or
POSED ~ THE SENtTE.
President Rocsc,e lts Message Urging It's
Ratification Is Read In Secret Session
ii Retcraics Arguments That We're


vigorously opposed and whatever the
outcome. is bound to receive such eX
tended consideration that the prediction
that the session would last a few days only
viii not lie fulfilled Some Senators We're
willing to hazard a guess that il will run
over into next month
One little straw viii show which way the
wind blows. Senator Clay OF Georgia told
some OF the Senate leaders to-day that he
wanted TO visit the South for a week. but
would not go if there was any prospect Of
action on the protocol within that period
He was assured that he would not only
find the agreement unratitied when he
returned but would have plenty of time
after that to express his views.
Tho expected confidential message from
the President urging the Senate 70 ratlfy
the protocol was delivered to-day, and
when 1t had been read ia secret session a
discussion concerning the terms of agree
ment was begun Prior 10 the assembling
oil the Senate and the receipt OF the Presi
dents communication the Committee on
Foreign Relations had discussion of the
protocol, which served to bring out that
Senator Morgan OF Alabama and Senator
Bacon Of Georgia, members Of the com
mlttee. had accumulated considerable am
munition and We're preparing to fight
In the course Of the meeting the com
mittee discovered that properly IL had no
right to be considering the protocol. rule
Of the Senate requires that international
agreements referred to the committee and
not acted upon in one Congress must be
formally referred TO the committee again
at the beginning of new Congress As
this rule had not been complied with, the
committee arrived at the conclusion that
il must ask the Senate 90 refer the protooo!
TO it n second time, and this formality was
carried out later in the day.
When the Senate went into executive
session this afternoon it confirmed some
nominations and then devoted nearly two
hours to the protocol. This discussion
followed the reading of the Presidents
message. in which he reiterated the argu-
ments contained in his message of Feb
IS, when no transmitted the treaty TO the
Senate. He urged the Senate to take note
Of the fact that the United States owes
certain obligations 10 It's own citizens. which
could not be properly fulfilled unless the
invitation OF the Santo Domingo Govern
ment was accepted and this Government
republic.
The jus, claims OF foreign Powers, he
added. we're pressing for settlement and 1t
was impossible for the United States TO OBJ
struci much longer the sfepe recognized
by International law as proper for the
collection of debts. These steps, he pointed
out involved the temporary occupation at
least of the ports of the debtor nation. and
49,. l,o 10 "a
upon such an act in Santo Domingo.
The President also took occasion 10 COM
bat tho argument that in making the agree
ment with Santo Domingo the United States
Government was cintarkinR on a new and
policy He maintained in
clear and emphatic way that far lr.r Icing
an application OF the Monroe Doctrine or
an amplifcaton Of that famous diotum, the
effected between the United
States and Santo Domingo in reality pro-
vided the best means of invoking the prin-
ciple that non American Powers shall not
attempt to gain territory on the Western
Hemisphere by colonization or conquest.
Ii was, he commended the best safeguard
a gainst entanglements with European
which had become irritated
to the point OF resentment over the failure
Of the Dominican Republic to liquidate its
Unless the proposed arrange
ment were put in force he held. Santo
would never be able 20 pay her
debts and there would be trouble which
might involve the United States.
After the reading of the message and |
HE treaty Mr. Morgan made soma re-
marks on the treaty He Insisted that i /
ought 70 be amended in important partiou /
Hrs and in making this statement no dis
claimed that no was acting az Democrat. !
I ann n Democrat he said and added /
hat within proper limitations ne would do +
in his power 10 advance the 7
interests of his party as against the inter .
'sts and aims of the opposition. but outside T.
u the national boundaries he was an
American and not a Democrat
Mr. Morgan ampliied the ideas advanced .
" him at Che forenoon meeting Of the .
Foreign Relations Committee His OBJ .
ections were mainly TO the preamble Of the
which he maintained was n
plain invocation Of the Monroe Doctrine
particularly that part which declared that
the Government ct the United States
'iewed any attempt on the part Of the
outside Of this hemisphere
o oppress or control IN destiny Of the
Dominican Republic "a manifestation Of
IN unfriendly disposition toward the lutte
state
While the remarks Of Mr. Morgan were
as informal the protocol not
laving been reported from the Foreign
relations Committee. they were never
heless effective and by the time the secret
q sion was adjourned il became evident
hat the words quoted above will be elim-
iated from the preamble by an overwhelm-
ng majority. They are as Objectionable
o many Republican Senators a. they are
o Mr. Morgan and his Democratic col
aagues in the Foreign Relations Committee.
Right here It might a. well be made plain
hat even with the objectionable phrases
minated the fate Of the protocol is ex-
eedingiy uncertain. Not nearly enough
enators to make up the necessary two
hirds have Indicated that they will vote
or il, ratification in any shape whatever
.ome Of the Senators are opposed 20 the
grcement per Sc. while Others have assumed
reticent attitude that makes the uncer-
ainty very great.
II is obvious, however. even al this early
.age Of the proceedings. that the protocol
-ill be much changed by amendment and