New-York tribune., 1905-02-18
No PARTY LINES DRAWN.
THE DOMINICAN TREATY.
Ratification VII Make Monroe
Doctrine Lac.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BuREAu.I

washington, Feb 1.-The Dominican treaty
will be taken up by the Committee on Foreign
Relations at a special meeting called for to-
morrow morning, and all proper means VIII be
used TO expedite its consideration. AS was the
case with the Panama treaty, there will not be
q party division on the protocol when it is con-
sidered in the Senate. Southern Democrats ap-
preciate the force Of the Presidents assertion
that the welfare and prosperity of the Domini-
can Republic ARE intimately associated with the
South Atlantic and Gulf States, the normal ex-
pansion Of whose commerce lies in that direc-
tion"
Some Democratic Senators believe that the
advantages which must accrue 10 the Soath-
ern States from peace and prosperity in Santo
Domingo come TO be appreciated by their con-
stituents, there will be a general demand for its
ratification. precisely as the advantages TO be
derived from the Panama Canal led TO demand
for the ratification Of the Panama treaty. Such
conditions have for some years existed in
the Dominican Republic are admittedly a men
ace to the Southern States, whereas the exist
ence OF a stable and prosperous republic, similar
TO Cuba, in that quarter must contribute to the
comercial and political welfare OF all the States
bordering the Gulf
ASSERTION OF MONROE DOCTRINE.
Senator's are already feeling the pressure in
the closing days Of Congress, made doubly Sc
we're by the necessity of spending upward OF
five hours each day in the Swayne impeach-
ment trial. and such consideration as has been
given 70 the pending protocol has been purely
tentative; but the Importance of the convention
is not underestimated, and several of its most
salient features are being discussed. For in
stance, il is remarked that the preamble Of the
protocol contains a declaration Of the Monroe
Doctrine which it IS now proposed, for the first
time il the history Of this country. to make
"the supreme law Of the land' under Article g
OF the Constitution, by it's inclusion In a rati-
fed treaty. The declaration is as follows:
Whereas The government of the United States
Of America, viewing any attempt the part
Of the governments outside of this hemisphere
10 Cypress control the destiny OF the Do
minican Republic manifestation of
friendly disposition toward the United States.
etc
Those opposed to the Monroe Doctrine and its
Inevitable corolIaries may object to this decara-
ton and may seek to strike it out but those
who regard that doctrine essential TO the
welfare Of the United States no objection
10 so clear declaration Of the principle. and
believe it is time that. by its incorporation in
treaty TO be ratified by the Senate, it shall be
come an integral part of the supreme national
law.
MAY ADD A ''PLATT AMENDMENT"
The belief is also expressed in some quarters
a
ment'' which shall forestaIl future ''frenzied
finance on the part Of Santo Domingo, and in
sure to the republic continuance of that stabil-
ity and prosperity enjoyed by Cuba, which it is
the intent Of the United States TO confer it by
the temporary direction Of its fiscal affairs. It
IS declared by those who hold this view that
comparatively little viii have been accomplished
Santo Domingo after its financial affairs have
been put in order by the United States shall be
left free 10 incur unreasonable Indebtedness and
10 become the prey of financial promoters who
VIII not hesitate even TO promote revolutions in
order that they may profit by the improVidence
Of those who may from time TO time contro! the
administration of the republics finances. Those
who entertain this view suggest that it may
prove advisable TO incorporate IN the protocol a,
reproduction Of the Platt amendment, which has
already exerted so benign an influence on the
oestinies Of Cuba. and such a suggestion will. in
al probability. be made at the meetings of the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
While il is hoped TO effect the ratification of
the protocol at the earliest practicable moment,
such course being manifestly for the best in
terests Of Santo Domingo, well as Of the care
tully thought out plan Of the administration it
Is appreciated that at this stage of a short ses-
sion Of Congress few Democrats might ef-
tectually block ratification until after March 4;
nut n IS further remarked that such q course
would accomplish nothing. the Senate could
easily take up the treaty Immediately after
March 4. with no Limitation the time to be
circumstances no amount Of Democratic flibus-
tering would serve to defeat the will of two
thirds u the Senate.