The news & observer., 1905-12-06

Santo Domingo.
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 ap-
peal. 1t is not of the slightest conse-
quence whether we grant the aid
needed by Santo Domingo as an Incl
dent to the wise development of the
Monroe Doctrine, or because we re-
gard 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 import
ant point is TO give the needed aid
and the case is certainly sufficiently
peculiar to deserve to be judged
purely on it's own merits. The condi-
tions 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. For
tunately, just at this time ruler
sprang UP in Santo Domingo who,
with his colleagues, saw the dangers
threatening their country and appeal
ed to .he friendship of the only great
and powerful neighbor who possessed
the power, and as they hoped also the
will to help them. There was immi-
nent danger of foreign intervention.
The previous rulers of Santo Domingo
had reck .eSSly incurred debts, and
owing to her internal disorders she
had ceased to be able to provide
means Of paying the debts. The pa
tience of her foreign creditors had
become exhausted and at least two
foreign nations were on the point OF
intervention, and were only prevented
49, III,
suranCe Of this government that it
would itself strive to help Santo Do
mingo in her hour of need. In the
case of one of these nat ons, only the
actual opening Of negotiations to this
end By our government prevented the
seizure of territory in SantO Domingo
by q 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 as
sured 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 straight
en- out their finances. This treaty
is pending before the Senate. In the
meantime a temporary arrangement
has been made which will last until
the Senate has had time to take ac-
tion upon the treaty. Under this ar
the Dominican Govern
ment has appointed Americans to all
the important positions in the custom
service, and they are seeing to the
honest collection of the revenues,
turning over 4 ) per cent to the gov
eminent fer running expenses anl
putting the .other 50 per cent into
a safe depository for equitable division
in case the treaty shall be ratified,
the various creditors, whether
European Or American.
The custom-houses offer well-nigh
the only source Of revenue in Santo
Domingo, and the different revolu-
tions usually have as their real aim
the obtaining possession Of these GUS
TOM houses. The mere fact that the
collectors of customs are Americans,
that they are performing thetr duties
with efficiency and honesty, and that
the treaty is pending in the Senate,
gives a certain moral power to the
of Santo Domingo, which
it has not had before. This has
discouraged any revolu-
movement, while it has al
ready produced such an increase in
the revenues that the government is
actually getting more from the .
per cent that the American collectors
turn over to it than it got formerly
when it took the entire revenue. 1t
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
disturbance. 1t offers
to al bona fide creditors, American
and European, the only really good
chance to obtain that to which they
are justly entitled, while it in return
gives to Santo Domingo the only op-
portunity of defense against claims
which it ought not to pay, for now II
it meets the views of the Senate we
shall ourselves thoroughly examine
all these claims, whether American or
and see that none that are
improper are paid. There is, of
course. opposition to the treaty from
dishonest creditors, foreign and
and from the professional
revolutionists of the island. We have
already reason to believe that some OF
the creditors who do not dare ex-
pose their claims to honest scrutiny
are endeavoring to stir up seditiOn in
the island and opposition to the
treaty. In the meantime | have eXer-
CISeu the authority NeSteQ IN me DV
the Joint resolution of the Congress to
prevent the Introduction of arms into
the island for revolutionary purposes.
Under the course taken, stability
and order and all the benefits of
peace are at last coming to Santo
Domingo, danger of foreign interven-
lion has been suspended and there
is at last a prospect that all creditors
will get justice, no more and no less.
If the arrangement is terminated by
the failure of the treaty chaos will
follow and if chaos follows, sooner
or later this government may be in
Volved in serious difficulties with for
eien governments over the island, or
else may be forced to intervene in the
stands in some unpleasant fashion
Under the proposed treaty the inde-
oendence of the island is scrupulCusly
the danger of violation of
the Monroe Doctrine by the interven-
ton of foreign powers vanishes, and
the interference of our government is
minimized, so that we shall only act
in conjunction with the Santo Do
mingo authorities to secure the
proper administration of the customs,
and therefore to secure the payment
Of lust debts and to secure the Do
minican Government against demands
for unjust debts. The proposed
method will give the people of Santo
Domingo the same chance to move