The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-03-22
DOMINGO TREATY SHADY
-
The Creator of Panama Mixed up in
santo Domingo Affair

The Creator of Panama Mixed up in
Santo Domingo Affair
Washington, March 1e.-Senator
Morgan occupied practically the en-
tire time in the discussion OF the San
to Domingo treaty IN executive ses-
sion of the senate today. he made
sensational speech in which he
charged that VIM. Nelson Cromwell
of New York, who was prominently
connected with the sale of the Pan
anna canal property to the United
States, was the prime mover IN
scheme to influence the United States
in the financial affairs of the Dominl-
can government. He asserted that Mr..
Cromwell was actuated by desire to
frustrate a plan of a Mr. and Mrs.
Reeder, natives of Alabama, who are
operating under the name of Reeder
syndicate, to get cerain concessions
from the Dominican government, and
to promote the interests of a syndicate
ne represented, which, it is alleged,
holds a mass of claims against the
Latin American republics, including
a large part of the debts against the
Dominican government. The alleged
disclosures we're debated all day and
the senate is divided as to whether
Senator Moragn made case. The
Democrats insist that he did, while
the leaders among the Republicans
declare that the charges we're made
ND of a mass of matter which con-
tanned no conclusive evidence that Mr..
Cromwell had used undue influence.
The speeches were made behind
closed doors. Senator Morgan held
his audience to the conclusion of his
remarks.
The tentative programme Of the
senate continues to be adjournment
without date on Saturday without
permitting the Dominican treaty to
come to vote. 1t is probable that it
will be recommitted. Among the
senate leaders today new plan vas
advanced in regard to Santo Domingo.
but it deals with the next session of
congress. It has been suggested that
if the whole matter is allowed to go
over Joint resolution might be passed
by congress to authorize the president
to do the very things that are propos-
ed by the treaty. IL this course was
pursued a majority vote is all that
would be required to place the entire
matter in the hands of the president.
It is understood that the plan found
favor when it was suggested at the
White House by senators who called
there today.
Senator Morgan in his speech said
that he knew the Reeders well, and
that the were the original concession
aires in Santo Domingo and treaty
had been drawn up between them and
the Dominican government which the
Reeders were to present to this gov
renmeEt for consideration. This
treaty, he said, was interferred with
By Mr.. Cromwell, who. the Reeders
charge, induced the Morales govern
ment to nullify it under promise that
tie United States wodld deal directly
with Santo Domingo. It was charged
that Mr.. Cromwell represented a
number of claimants whose securities
would be advanced in value if the
United States took charge, and that
his agent represented to President
Morales that Mr.. Cromwell was re-
sponsible for the formation of the
government of Panama and the Uni
ted States would do for Santo Domin-
90 as much or more than had been
done for Panama. When this argu-
ment was made, according to the
Reeders, the Morales government
threw over the alleged agreement with
them, and started the negotiations
with the alleged agent of Mr.. Crom-
we'll. It was then that Mr.. Crom-
we'll, it was alleged, induced Santo
Domingo to ask the United States to
administer the customs affairs of the
island. During the discussion Sena-
tor Moragn repeatedly referred to
treaty negotiated by the Reeders,
which he said chad never seen the
light of day" because of the interfer-
ence of Mr.. Cromwell's representa-
tive.
Senator Platt of Connecticut said
that he did not want the discussion
to go any further until that treaty
had been produced. Thereupon it
was sent to the secretary's desk by
Senator Morgan and read. 1t is de-
clared by Republican senators that the
treaty gave everything to Santo Do
mingo, concessions to the Reeders,
and practically nothing to the United
States. These senators subsequently
declared that charges based upon such
document were not entitled to con-
sideration. Senator Foraker defend
ed Mr.. Cromwell, saying that he
knew him professionally and believed
him incapable of the acts charged.
At the same time he said that the
documents presented by Senator Nor
gan should be presented in order that
all senators might have chance to