New-York tribune., 1905-01-24
PLANS FOR SANTO DOMINGO
COMMISSION TO BE NAMED.
To Reform Finances and Settle
ClaimS-Support for Morales.

Washington, JAN 23.-The State Department
is working out the details of it's programme re-
garding the administration of the finances OF
Santo Domingo and some of them will be made
operative within month Mr. Abbott is col
lecting the customs at Puerto Plata, and other
experts in customs affairs will be stationed by
the United States at Monte Cristi. Azua, Macoris
and other principal ports, to exercise general
supervision over Dominican customs collections.
keep close watch the accounts and gradually
surround themselves with corps of trustworthy
and efficient subordinates to insure an honest
administration.
A commission will be named at an early day
to take up the broad subject of reform of the
Dominican finances. which are said to be in the
utmost confusion. The system must be purified
and some attempt must be made to regulate
reckless expenditures. well to control re-
ceipts The commission will ascertain the exact
amount of the foreign obligations now outstand-
ing against Santo Domingo and readjust these
on an equitable basis. Many of the claims pre-
ferred against the republic are known to have
been swollen by the claimants. large number
of franchises have been granted with little or no
proper consideration, and the commission will
ADJUST these on the basis OF strict equity and
not on fictitious values alleged by the holders.
II is expected that opposition will be encoun-
tered in this work. but the State Department
has received assurances from some of the prin-
cipal creditor nations that they would much
prefer to have their claims adjusted by the
United States than submit them to the decision
of Dominican tribunal The work is not re-
garded as fitting for the Hague arbitration,
which would be expensive and slow moving.
The entire debt of Santo Domingo foreign and
domestic. is placed at about $35 100000. Rough
estimates made by experts here permit Of the
assignment at the very outset of at least ST.
OOOOoO OF the customs receipts for the reduction
of the foreign debt including claims, while it is
believed to be certain that the customs receipts
will be largely increased in connection with the
general improvement of business expected to
follow the tranQuilliZation Of Santo Domingo and
the administration of its finances by the United
States.
Some of the ports Of the republic at present
are practically in possession Of revolutionary
elements hostile to President Morales 1t will
be necessary for the United States to place Gus
toms officers at these ports and to overcome any
resistance that may be offered locally. to
that extent the administration Of President
Morales is likely to receive moral support.
The commission will probably consist of three
lawyers and one or two expert financiers. The
expense of maintaining it probably will be
charged against the revenues of Santo Domingo.
SO there Will be no necessity for the administra-
ton to apply to Congress for an appropriation
to carry out its plans.
Senator Bacon to-day introduced a resolution
reciting press dispatches TO the effect that the
United States has established a receivership for
the Republic of Santo Domingo and that the
President is respectfully requested it, in his
judgment, not incompatible with the public in
terest, to inform the Senate whether any agree
ment has been made between the United States
and the Republic of Santo Domingo, and, If So
the nature and terms of said agreement: and
particularly whether any agreement has been
made by which this government undertakes TO
guarantee the integrity of the territory or gov
ernment OF the Republic OF Santo Domingo; and
whether under said agreement this government
assumes any responsibility or obligation, Pc
cuniary otherwise, to the said Republic of
Santo Domingo, or to any other government in
behalf or on account OF said Republic OF Santo
Domingo"