The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-23
ON DOMINICA'S INVITATION.
THAT COUNTRY URGED Us no
TlEE CHARGE or ITS FINANCES.
An OGiciai statement by the Administration
says That the Danger OF Foreign
Interference Led II 10 comply WIN
the Urgent Rcquest-No ProteclOrate'

Interference Led II TO comply WIN
the Urgent Request--No Protecl0rate'
WASHINGTON. Jan. 22.-An official state
ment Issued to-day by the Administration
through the State Department makes pam
that the action OF this Government IN assnm-
ing charge Of Santo Domingos customs
revenues Is the initial outcome OF President
Roosevelts warning that Latin American
countries cannot hope escape thelr Just
international obligations by hiding under
the skirts OF the Monroe Doctrine Inc
danger Of foreign interference with prop
able embarrassment TO the United states
was the moving factor IN the important
course adopted by this country toward
Sauto Domingo. but it is explained IN the
Administration statement that in assuming
charge of Santo Domingo's customs reVe-
n,ies this Government does SO at the express
invitation of the Dominican authorities
That danger Of foreign interference was
- .mirent il shown by the admission IN
statement that more than one OF the.
eat Powers had emphatcally given
fotice that il tho United States did not
administer the Dominican customs these
Powers would ike to do So supported by
their warships, This pointed suggestion
was fraught with too much danger to
hermit the United States to delay longer
in removing the Dominican menace. The
important announcement is made also that
this Government proposes to guarantee
the territorial integrity Of Santo Domingo.
Fifty-fve per cent. Of the Dominican reve-
nues are to be applied by the United
States to liuudating that republics foreign
indebtedness.
The Administration statement is as
follows
"Tho Dominican Republic, after mature
consideration Of existing conditions has
formally and freely invited the Govern
ment of the United States 70 assist 1t in the
administration OF It's customs revenues
and 10 aid it in establishing its fiscal system
upon firm and businesslike basis.
THE Government of the United States
having been explicitly, repeatedly and
emphatically Informed by more than one
Of the great Powers that it ought either TO
try to evolve some order out of the financial
chaos in the Dominican Republic or assent
to certain European creditors of that re-
public doing this and to the administra-
ton of the Dominican custom houses by
them. supported by their warships, has
deemed it advisable, in view Of the unfor-
tunate financial conditions in Santo Do
mingo, which for the last ten years have
been rapidly growing worse, TO accept the
invitation Of the Dominican Government,
and therefore representatives. OF this Gov
eminent and OF Santo Domingo have signed
a memorandum OF a proposed agreement
looking 20 tho American control OF the
fiscal affairs, upon the request and with
the consent Of the Dominican Government.
"The United States proposes to guaran-
tee the territorial integrity OF the Dominican
Republic.
1T is not the purpose Of this Government
to assume a proteotorate over Santo Do
mingo, or to intefere with or participate
in its domestic affairs any further than
the collection OF its customs revenues, the
rocessary revision OF It's tariff laws and
the adjustment. through properly con-
stituted tribunals or commissions, OF its
foreign claims and its economic and fiscal
organization on & sound basis may make
it essential 10 do.
President Morales has signed decree,
which will be published Monday. in which
the Government Of the United States ia
officially asked to take full charge of all
the Dominican custom houses, to name all
tho EMPLOYEES and 10 collect all the rev.
enucs. As per cent. OF which are to be re-
turned to the Dominican Government for
It's current expenses.
aThe balance is to be used TO meet the
interest charges on the acknowledged
bonded Indebtedness and other just obliga-
tons of the republic. Any surplus will be
turned over to the Dominican Govern
ment, The obligations representing the
bonded indebtedness are largely owned
by foreign creditors.
THE Government OF the United States
does not guarantee the debts of Santo
Domingo, or agree TO provide for the pay
ment of them. but only promises to try to
so organize and adjust the fiscal admins
tration OF the country that their liquidation
may be accomplished automatically and
on basis OF equity toward all creditors.
1T is believed that if the Dominican
revenues are wisely collected aud dis
buTsed all legitimate claims against the
republic win ultimately be satisfied.
~In this connection il may be added
that under the award Of the tribunal Of
arbitration Of July il, 1904. between the
United States and Sauto Domingo, in the
sum Of about 81 900 900 Ethe United States
was given the right eventually 10 take pos
session Of the four principal ports on the
northern side Of the island, and under the
award the fiscal agent appointed by the
United States Is now in possession Of the
important custom house at Puerto Plata.
THE unfortunate financial condition
OF Santo Domingo has more than once
in the last decade brought the United States
Government face TO face with questions
fraught with imminent peril The Gov
eminent Of the United States could not,
with due self-respecr. allow the impression
to deepen and gain currency that the Monroe
Doctrine can be used as a shield by American
republics TO deny justice to other Govern
ments.
MANY foreign claims are just beyond
peradventure and being held by citizens
OF various Governments. the problem be-
came increasingly more difficult as to how
these claims could be satisfied under ex-
isting conditions with fair treatment to-
ward all In some respects a still more
embarrassing feature of the situation has
been that the Dominican Government has
been compelled by force TO pay grossly
e1orbitant claims. and the question has
arisen whether the United States should
interpose in such cases. Such interposi-