Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-17
A MESSAGE
President Deals With
San Domingo Republic
Collection of the Revenue Duties
by the United States.
The Substance Of the Messaoc-Its
Wording and General Purpor..

Washington, Feb. 16.-The message
from the President Transmitting 10 tl,.
Senate a protocol of an agreement be-
tween the United States and Domjn,-
can government providing for the col
iecilon ana disbursement by the Cnited
States of the customs revenues OF the
dominican republic. was. today. order
I'd made public. together with the nro-
tocol. Il letter from John T.. Moore.
formerly assistant SECRETARY of state
which gives Il statement reg.rIin. The
award OF III" commission which SCI
tied The cltims Of the san Domingo
.mprDvem, 1T Go.
Tile Senate went into executive seS-
sion im,lie'iiatcly :,tter morning bust
ness, AT which time this action was
aiken. Tie message is of nearly i1ur
words and was read in fun 10 the
Senate. II is largely Il discussion ~
The rights and duties OF th.. United
States under the Monroe doctrine. ano
TN" President Said The protocol affords
j practical test OF the efficiency Of the
mted States government in main
tanning the doctrine. In beginning hi<
message, the President says that con
Gltions in San Domingo have been
growing steadily worse for many years
and debts have been contracted beyond
ire power OF the republic To pay. Ger
tam foreign countries, he SAYS. hav,
'tlt themselves aggrievej because o;
the payment Of debts due theii
citizens. and have felt that the oulI
way they could ever get any guarantee
~. IN
the territory or taking charge of the
customs affairs Of the republic.
The justification for the United
states taking this bulden and incur
ring this responsibility is to be founC
in the tact that il is incompatible viii
international equity for the United
states TO refuse to allow other bowers
to take the only means at their dis.
iosal o. satisfying the claims OF thei!
creditors. and Vet to refuse. itself. 10
take any such steps"
An especial point is made by the
PRESIDENT that this government does
not propose TO take any part of Sar
Domingo or to exercise any other con
troll over the island save what is neces-
Sary to its financial rehabilitation in
'''i'-N'ioil NiiIi llit tOlltctltl1 oi ltte
nue.. part OF which will be turned over
I" the government to meet the neces-
Sary expenses of running il, and part
OF which will be distributed pro-rata
among the creditors of the republic
upon basis OF absolute equity.
Discussing the course aggreved ma
tons may take against American re-
rubics without interference with tine
Munroe doctrine. the President say,
any action may be taken which does
not take the shape of interference with
their form Of government or of IN.
desroilment of their territory under
any disguise.
There are governments which do some
limes do take energetic action Tor the pro
lection of their subjects in the enforce
ihch' OF merely contractual claims and
thereupon American concessionaries SUD
ported hy powerful Influences make loul
appeal I" the United States government il;
Siniiar cases for siminar action. They
complain that in the actual posture of
affairs their valuable properties are prac-
Ideally confiscated that American enter !
Prise is paralyZod and that unless tn are
July protected even by the enforcement
OF their merely cnniractual rights, l. |
means the abandonment to the subjects
pf other governments OF the interests OF
American trace and commerce through
the sacrifice of their invrs. ments BY *
ressivc taxes imposed il. violation of con- |
hact and by other devices and the sacri- |
lice of the output of their mines and 9TH |
= induStris and even of their railroad and |
shipping interests. which they have es-
tahlished in connection with The exnloit |
alton of their concessions |
The bureau of the American republics |
$4,000 as the lest estimate az |
the present population of the republic. |
As shown i'y the unanimous report of thu
Grant commission. the public deb; of the |
Dominican republic. including claims. was
81 .'t'.S'l 5l4. The total revenues were
The public Indebtedness If the Domin-
ican republic. not includ;ng all claims. |
was. on Sept. 12;h last. as the depart cnt |
Continued on page 50