Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-16
Senator's strongly Agninst Making
United States II Debt Col.
lecting Agency.

1t VIII require the general debate in the
Senate to develop the real feeling toward
the San Domingo treaty. which was re-
ported to the Senate from committee by
party. vote Even on the Republican
side there is 1int az much disposition to
support the President as appears on the
surface.
When tho arbitration treaties were
pending, the impro ssion in Washington,
as well as elsewhere was that the only
opposition to these treaties came from
southern senators who feared that ad-
vantage would be taken of the pending
treaties to force southern States to pay
old debts. When the vote came the
treaties to force southern States to pay
ingy and non-partisan vote.
There can be no doubt that the Senate
is opposed to the policy OF the President
as regarding the attitude which the
United States should preserve toward
irresponsible American republics. Tho
present intention OF the Senate is to
handle the San Domingo situation with
out adopting a policy. or making prec-
edent for future action in such cases. II
is doubtful if the treaty as reported
from the committee dsposes of the trout
bles of the black republic without going
too far lin the minds of more than one
third of the senators) in committing this
government to Il line of action for tho
future in such difficulties.
Consequently, il is reasonably certa II
that that treaty will have to he amend
ed if it is TO be adopted in any form. 1t
is still an open question as to whether
the Senate will lie able to keep the
treaty in such shape that it will be sat-
isfactory to the President.
The inquiries of the Washington cor
respondent Of The Boston Herald re-
vealed that large number Of Republic
can senators arc strongly opposed to
making n debt collection agency of this
government Many of these will oppose
the treaty, unless the San Domingo bus
mess Is handled so that it will not be
an invitation to all American citizens
with claims against other republics from
rushing to Washington with their
claims. and ask that they be collected
with interest.
They hope to find some way to please
the President in permitting the United
States TO act as receiver for bankrupt
San Domingo. If this way is not found
| they will oppose the treaty. Many would
prefer taking the country. rather thar
accepting the debt-collecting policy. This
sentiment Ia stronger than it appears or
'the surface. 1T is strong enough now
to defeat the treaty with this feature
Incorporated.
They object further to the United
States forcing tho general principle tina
it Is it's right TO act as court of las
resort for all contested claims agains
these republics. 1t Is proposed to sif
the San Domingo obligations. agreeing
to pay the fair ones and to throw on
the bad ones. II this principle should
prevail, the United States would b.
called upon constantly 10 pass upoi
claims against these republics In cas-
citizens of the United States purchas
the claims Of foreigners, internationa
complications may develop.
Perhaps more important than an
other influence at work now " a dis
position in the Senate to give no en-
couragemcnt TO the President in his b
stick policy in keeping order and forcing
payments of debts Oh the part of tn
republics of the western hemisphere
This feeling is very strong. 1t will b
sufficient to secure further modification
of the treaty