Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-29
An Official Statement.

A statement to the following effect has
been given out at the State Department in
explanation of the Dominican agreement:
THE Dominican government, being press
ed by foreign creditors and threatened by
constitutional changes within, has been
obliged to seek some method by which 1t
can tide over it's difficulties until the fate
of the treaty now pending before the United
States Senate can be determined at the
next session. With that purpose in view
the Dominican government has proposed
that it shall of itself adopt for the southern
ports of Santo Domingo a procedure SINH
lar to that which has already been put into
operation for the other ports of Santo Do
niingo under the award of last year. To
that end the government of Santo Domingo
proposed to nominate some citizen of the
United States as receiver of customs for
the southern ports who will pay a percent
age of the total receipts to that Dominican
government and will deposit the remainder
in a New York bank subject to disposal
after the Senate shall have acted on the
pending treaty.
1.-The foreign creditor nations have either
agreed to such disposition agreed to take
no steps in the meantime. This proposition
constitutes a modus Vivendi to tide over
the situation until the Senate acts, but the
modus vivendi is to be executed by Santo
Domingo, requiring only the acquiescence
of the United States and its good offices to
propose to the Dominican government
American citizens who may act as agents
for such collection. To that end the gov
eminent of the United States will assent
to this arrangement and will nominate men
of capacity and integrity to take charge of
those customs houSes-they, Of course, act
ing as agents of Santo Domingo and under
appointment by the Dominican government.
The percentage Of money due the
creditors ard deposited In some New York
bank will be kept there until the Senate
shall have acted. If the action Is ad-
verse, the money will be returned to the
Dominican government. If the action is
favorable the money will be distributed
among the creditors in proportion of
their just treaty claims. 1t is to be borne
in mind that the claims against Santo
Domingo to be settled in that manner
cations like our own and not new claims
which have not been adjudicated.
Action of this character appears to be
imposed on the Dominican government
by the circumstances of the case. and it
deserves to receive the good offices of
its. The treaty with Santo Domingo
now pending before the Senate was con-
cluded in response to such call from
Santo Domingo herself-it was not our
offer to endeavor to help Santo Domingo
to meet her obligations. She was not
only willing to pay. but was able to pay,
and we were the only power able to help
the government of Santo Domingo to
meet its needs. The pending treaty has
not been rejected by the Senate, which is
a continuing body; it Is still pending and
final action will undoubtedly be taken
when Congress convenes next fall, and in
the meantime the President proposes
that the status quo as TO Santo Domingo
shall be maintained until the new treaty
Is ratified and can be put into execution"