The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-17
Something Has to bs Don, in
 SantO Domingo
AFFAIRS IN CHAOTIC STATE
Protocol Of Agreement Is Made Public and 1t Provides That United States Shall Take Charge of Gus
 toms Houses.

Washington. February 1e.-The message from the President. transmitting to the Senate protocol of an agreement be- tween the United States and the Domin- ican government providing for the col lection and disbursement by the United States of the customs revenues of the Do- minican republic was today ordered made public, together with the protocol, let ter from John B. Moore, formerly As sistant Secretary of State, which gives a statement regarding the award under the former protocol and the award commits sion, which settled the claims of the San Domingo Improvement company. The Senate went into executive session im- mediately after the morning business. at which time this action was taken.
 The message is of nearly 45OO words and was read in full to the Senate. It is large ly discussion of the rights and duties of the United States under the Monroe doe Urine, and the President says the protocol affords practical test of tho efficiency of the United States government in man- taining the doctrine. In beginning his message the President says that condi- tions in San Domingo have been grow Ing steadily worse for many years, and debts have been contracted beyond the power of the republic to pay. Certain for egn countries he says, have felt them selves aggrieved because of the non-pay- ment of debts, and have felt the only way they could ever get any guarantee of payment would be by acquisition of territory or taking charge of the customs affairs of the republic.
 Monroe Doctrine Would Prohibit.
 It is pointed out by the President that the Monroe doctrine would prohibit any foreign government from stepping in, and he says that those who profit by this doc- Urine must accept certain responsibilities along with the rights 1t confers. He says further:
 'The Justification for the United States landing, taking this burden and mourning this responsibility is to be found in the fact that 1t Is incompatible with inter- national equity for us to refuse to allow other powers to take the only means at their disposal of satisfying the claims
  to take any such steps,"
 An especial point is made by the Pres- ident that this government does not pro- pose to take any part of San Domingo or to exercise any other control over the island save what is necessary to it's financial rehabilitation in connection with the collection of revenue, part of which will be turned over to the government to meet the necessary expenses of run ming it and part of which will be dis tributed pro rata among the creditors of the republic upon a basis of absolute equity.
 Defines the Doctrine.
 Discussing the course aggrieved nations may take against the American republic without interference with the Monroe doctrine, the President says any action may be taken which does not take the shape of interference with the form of government or despoilment of their terri tory under any disguise but short of this, when the question Is one of a money claim, the only way which remains, f. nally to collect it, is blockade or bonn bardment or the seizure of the custom house, and this means. as has been said above, is in effect a possession. even though only temporary possession of ter- ritory. The United States then becomes party in interest because under the Monroe doctrine it cannot see any Euro pean power seize and permanently occupy the territory of one of these republics and yet such seizure of territory dis guised or undlsgused, may eventually 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
 There are governments which do some times take energetic action for the pro- tIo.~ ment of merely contractural claims, and upon American concessionaries. supported by powerful influences, make loud appeal to the United States government in sim liar cases for similar action. They com plain that in the actual posture of affairs their valuable properties are practically confiscated; that American enterprise is paralyzed and that unless they are fully protected, even by the enforcement of their merely contractural rights, 1t means the abandonment to the subjects of other governments of the interest of American trade and commerce through the sacrifice of their investments by ex- cessive taxes imposed in vain of contract and by other industries. and even of their railway and shipping interests. which they have established in connection with the exploitation of their concessions.
 Reacts Upon This Government.
 Ine attenpleu SOlutlOn or the complex problem by the ordinary methods of diplomacy reacts injuriously upon the United States government itself. and in 9 measure paralyzes the action of the ex- ecutive in the direction of a sound and consistent policy.
 Under the accepted law of nations for eign governments are within their right if they choose to exercise it, when they actively intervene in support of the con- tractural claims of their subjects. They sometimes exercise this power and on ac- count of commercial rivalry there Is a growing tendency on the part of other governments more and more to aid diplo- matically the endorsements of claims of their subjects. In view of the dilemma in which the government of the United States is thus placed, 1t must either ad- here to It's usual attitude of non-interyen- ton in such cases-an attitude proper under normal conditions, but one which in this particular kind of case results to { the disadvantage of it's citizens in com harrison with those of other states-or else ii must, in order to be consistent ir its policy, actively intervene to protect the contracts and concessions of its citizens .
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