Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-22
Roosevelt Declares His Reasons for the
San Domingo Agreement
Assumption of Temporary Possession
Compelled by Monroe Doctrine
Notable Special Executive Message Sub
mtted to the Outraged Senate

Washington, Feb l7.-President
Roosevelts message. transmitting to
the senate the new Dominican proto-
col OF an agreement providing for The
collection aad disbursement by the
United States OF the customs revenues
Of San Domingo for the adjustment Of
all the obligations OF that government,
was yesterday made public 10y order
of tbe senate in executive session.
The document includes the new agree
ment as we'll as the original protocol
and the award Of the commission Of
arbitration for the settlement OF the
claims Of the San Domingo Improve
ment company, under which agents of
the United States are already collect
ing revenues at certain ports Of the
Dominican government.
Few documents that have cor to
The senate in relation to any of the
South or Central American or West
India republics have attracted SO
much attention. Because of the con
troversy that has arisen as to the
right Of the executive TO enter into
treaty arrangements with any foreign
government without the advice and
consent of the senate extraordinary
interest has been aroused. The doc.
ument came to the senate "Wednesday
an hour past the usual time for most
senators to leave the chamber and
therefore it was brought up soon after
the senate convened yesterday The
message Of the president oaHul rha
policy of the administration IN rela.
ton to the Monroe doctrine holding
that 1t demanded that this govern
ment tatn charge Of the customs of
American sta'e when it is manifest
that they are unable to maintain their
own integrity.
Monroe Doctrine Applied.
In addition to the presidents dis
cussiou of the Monroe doctrine in
the case of san Domingo, the protocol
itself makes a specific declaration OF
its application and in that respect Is
unusual in treaty making. The de-
laration occurs in the second para
graph, which recites that the govern.
ment of the United States views amy
attempt on the part Of governments
outside Of this hemisphere to Cypress
the destiny Of the Dominican republic
as manifestation OF an unfriendly
disposition towards the United
States
An especial point is made by the
president that this government does
not propose to take any part OF San
Domingo or to exercise any other con
troll over the island save what is nee
essary to its financial rehabilitation
in connection with collecting reveGue.
part of which will be turned over 10
the government 10 meet the necessary
expenses Of running il and part Of
which VIII be distributed pro rata
among the creditors of the republic
upon the basis Of absolute equity.
Discussing the course aggrieyed ma.
lions may take against American r..
publics without interference with tae
Monroe doctrine. the president says
any action may be taken which does
not take the shape of interference
with their form Of government or Of
d<spOilment of their territory under
any disguise: but. snort Of this when
the question is one of a money claim
the only way which remains finally
to collect Il is a blockade, or lombard.
meut, or seizure of a customhouso
ana this means, what is In effect a
possession. even though or'y a tempo
rary possession of territory The
United States then becomes Il party in
interest. because under the Monroe
doctrine It cannot see any European
power seize and permanently occupy
the territory Of oae Of these rcpub
lies; and Yet such seizure Of territory
disguised or mdisguised. may eyenm
ally offer the only way In which the
power in question can collect any
debts, unless there is Interference on
the part OF the United States
Nations Pressed Their Claims.
Incorporated In the message is {
financial statement showing that tb,
Dominican government owes toforaIgr
governments $22.COO.O0O and that SIS.
100000 Of this amount is recognized
The president discusses at length the
negotiations for the collection of these
debts and says that as the foreign gov
ernments we're put off from time 70
time, tn became importuuate In
pressin, their unsatisfed demands
Contin ling, the president says:
AS the result of chronic disorders
attended with Constant increase O.
debt, the state of things in Santc
Domingo has become hopeless. unles.
the United States or some o'he
strong government shall interpose
bring order out of chaos" The pres'
dent then refers to the fact that loan
of various kinds made TO the Domlut
can government have became tn
Deuelus of the various revolution
there, and continues:
The ordinary resources of diplG
macy and International arbitrauo
are absolutely impotent to deal wisel
and effectively with the situation q
the Dominican republic. which ca