The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-31

can Executive against q popular up
rising, which, VIGOROUSLY, IL the only
method by which the inhabitants OF
Santo Domingo can express dissatis-
faction with the existing political system
II We did undertake to protect President
MORALES by force Of arms against rev.
olutionists, we should be doing pre-
oisely what France did in Mexico on
behalf Of the Emperor MAMMALIAN,
who promised TO pay certain debts
alleged TO be owing 10 French subjects
Never before have we interfered in the
domestic controversies Of Latin-Amer-
lean republic, or undertaken arbitra-
rily to decide which Of two antagonistio
parties was In the right. Unquestion-
ably, our people have no deliberate in
tention Of establishing such precedent,
but we might have found ourselves
committed Involuntary to the pro-
lection of President MORALES II the
Senate had ratified the treaty with the
Dominican Republic.
It was further pointed out in the SEN
ate, when the treaty was under dis
cussion, that certain European Powers
already possess liens upon the customs
revenues Of certain Dominican ports,
which liens have been formally granted
by the Santo Domingo Government,
although the power Of enforcing them
through the occupation Of the custom
houses concerned has not been con-
ferred Should any Of those Powers
protest against the suppression Of its
lien by the arrangement embodied in
our proposed treaty with the Dominican
Republic, the obligations assumed by
us under the treaty might involve us In
a state Of war with the protesting Power
The Senate naturally shrank from APP
proving in advance, and in general terms,
an ENHANCEMENT that might have such
unpleasant consequences.
II Is true that the present agree
ment IL on it's face provisional, termin-
able on the definite re- yotion Of the
treaty by the Senate. 1t may also be
true that all the creditor Powers, eX-
cept two. have approved the provis-
ional Arrangement; and We will as
sumo, for the sake Of argument, that
the approval will presently be made
unanimous. We should then have no
cause to apprehend a protest on the part
Of any European creditor Power against
the temporary collection by an American
agent Of the customs revenues Of all
the Dominican ports not designated
in the arbitral award or against the
Of the same by him as trustee,
on the understanding that II the Senate
should reject the treaty the whole sum
thus collected should be turned over to
the Dominican Government, whereas IL
the treaty should be ratified IS per cent.
would be paid TO the creditor Powers
and the remaining IS per cent. to the
Dominican Administration.
Although, however, the risk Of en-
broilment with European Powers might |
thus be obviated, the fundamental OBJ
lection 10 the treaty would hold good !
Of the proposed provisional agreement |
also. The latter transaction, like the |
former, would bind us to take sides in
the internal politics Of the Dominican |
to uphold by arms President |
MORALES against efforts Of his fellow
citizens 70 overthrow him. Having once
taken such position in the case Of Santo
Domingo, with what pretence Of con-
sistency could we refuse in the case Of |
any other American Republic to sustain
4 usurper who, 10 gain our good will,
should offer to place the collection and |
OF his country's customs |
revenues In the hands Of an agent to be
appointed by our EIecutive3
The assumption by the United States
of receivership Of the income Of a
delinquent American republic. in the
interest Of foreign creditors, will prob
ably be found In practice not the simple
hing it looks. Not'long would England
be able TO discharge the function Of
receiver In Egypt, did she not uphold
With feet and army the nominal author
ty Of the Khedive In whose name she
processes 10 act. i