Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-08
The Presidents Message on
the Santo Domingo Treaty.
TEXT rs MADE PUBLIC
BENEFITS TO BOTH CONTRACTING
PARTIES POINTED OUT.
It Is Claimed that the Agreement Pro
vides the Only Practicable Method
Of Securing Justice for All.

The Senate, in executive session, To-Day
made public the message Of President
Roosevelt on the Santo Domingo treaty
sent to the Senate Monday. 1t says that
the Dominican interests demand action by
the Senate at the earliest practicable mo-
ment: that the treaty Is at the earnest re-
quest of the Dominican republic to afford
her relief and will remove apprehension OF
foreign aggression in that quarter. 1t says
that the result will benefit not only Santo
Domingo, but also the United States, by Sc
curing stability. order and prosperity In the
island. The message follows:
The Message.
ITO the Senate: I wish to call the at
tention of the Senate at this executive ses-
sion to the treaty with Santo Domingo. l
feel that 1 ought to state to the Senate
that the condition Of affairs in Santo Do
mingo is such that 1t is very much for the
interest of that republic that action on the
treaty should be had at as early a moment
as the Senate. after giving the matter full
consideration. may find practicable.
II call attention to the following facts;
Il. This treaty was entered into at the
earnest request of Santo Domingo Itself.
and is designed to afford Santo Domingo
relief and assistance. Its primary Denent
will be to Santo Domingo. 1t offers the
prevent war In the island.
Stability Secured.
go The benefit to the United States will
consist chiefly in the tendency under the
treaty to secure stability, order and pros
perity in Santo Domingo. and the removal
of the apprehension lest foreign powers
make aggresslons on Santo Domingo in the
course of collecting claims due their citi-
or e interest
all the islands in the Caribbean sea should
enjoy peace and prosperity and feel good
will toward this country. The benefit to
honest creditors will come from the fact
that for the first time under this treaty a
practicable method of attempting to settle
the debts due them will be inaugurated.
To Audit the Claims.
50 Many of the debts alleged to be due
from Santo Domingo to OUTSIDE creditors
unquestionably on their face represent far
more money than ever was actually given
Santo Domingo. The proposed treaty pro-
vides for a process by which impartial ex-
perts will determine what debts are valid
and what are in whole or in part invalid
and will apportion accordingly the surplus
revenue available for the payment of the
debts. This treaty offers the only method
for preventing the collection of fraudulent
debts, whether owed to Americans or to
citizens of other nations.
IL This treaty affords the most prac-
teal means of obtaining payment for the
just claims of American citizens.
In Case of Rejection.
IS If the treaty is ratified, creditors be-
longing to other nations will have exactly
as good treatment as creditors who are cit
liens of the United States. and at the same
time Santo Domingo will be protected
against unjust and exorbitant claims. If
1t is not ratified the chances are that
American creditors will fare Ill as COM
pared with those of other nations; for for
eign nations, being denied the opportunity
to get what is rightfully due their citizens
under the proposed arrangement, will be
left to collect the debts due their citizens
as they see fit provided, of course, there is
not permanent occupancy of Dominican
territory. AS in such case the United States
will have nothing to say as to what debts
should should not be collected, and as
Santo Domingo will be left without aid.
assistance or protection it is impossible to
state that the sums collected from it will
not be improper in amount.
In such event whatever Is collected by
means of forcible Intervention will be ap-
piled to the creditors of foreign nations in
preference to creditors who are citizens Of
the United States.
This Country's Position.
"6 The correspondence between the Sec
rotary or state ana the Minister OF taiti,
submitted to the Senate several days ago,
shows that our position in explicitly and
unreservedly that under no circumstances
do We intend to acquire territory in or pos
session of either Haiti or Santo Domingo.
it being stated in these letters that, even if
the two republics desired to become a part
of the United States, the United States
would certainly refuse its assent.
~. Santo Domingo grievously needs the
aid of a powerful and friendly nation. This
aid we are able. and l trust that We are
willing to bestow. She has asked for this
aid, and the expressions of friendship, re-
peatedly sanctioned by the people and the
government of the United States, warrant
her in believing that it will not be with
held in the hour of her need.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
1.-THE White House,
March g. 1905