Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-17

the Dominican government provid-
ing for the collection and disburse-
ment by the United States OF the GUS
toms revenues of the Dominican re-
public. was today ordered made pub
lie, together with the protocol. a 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 of the commission which settled
the claims of the San Domingo I'M
provement company.
Gist of the Argument
The message is Of nearly 45O0 words
and was read in full to the senate
1t is largely discussion of the rights
and duties of the United States gov
ernment in maintaining the Monroe
doctrine.
In beginning his message the presi-
dent says that conditions in San Do
mingo have been growing steadily
worse for many years and debts have
been contracted beyond the power OF
the republic to pay. Certain foreign
countries, he says, have felt them
selves aggrieved because of the non
payment of debts due to their citizens
and have felt that the only way they
could ever get any guarantee of pay
ment would be by acquisition of ter
ritory or taking charge of the GUS
toms affairs of the republic.
1t is pointed out by the president
that the Monroe doctrine would pro-
hibit any foreign government from
stepping in. and he says that those
who profit by this doctrine must ac-
cept certain responsibilities along with
the rights that it confers.
What Foreign Creditors Can Do
Discussing the course aggrieved ma
tions may take against American re-
publics without interference with the
Monroe doctrine, the president says
any action may be taken which "does
not take the shape of interference
with their form of government or of
the despoilment of their territory
under any disguise; but, short of this,
when the question is one of money
claim, the only way which remains
finally to collect it is a blockade or a
bombardment or the seizure of the
customs house, and this means what
is in effect a possession-even though
only temporary-of territory.
"There are governments which do
sometimes take energetic action for
the protection of their subjects in the
enforcement of merely contractual
claims and thereupon American con-
cessionaries, supported by powerful in
fluences, make loud appeal to the
United States government in similar
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 it means the
abandonment to the subjects of other
governments of the interests of Amer.
lean trade.
The Governments Dilemma
"Under the accepted law of nations
foreign governments are within their
right, when they actively intervene in
support of the contractua claims of
their subjects. They sometimes eXer-
else this power and on account of COM
mercial rivalry there is a growing ten
dency on the part of other govern
ments to do so more and more. The
United States must thus either adhere
to its usual attitude of non-interven-
tion in such cases-an attitude proper
under normal conditions but one which
In this particular kind of case results
to the disadvantage of its citizens in
comparison with those of other states
or else it must, in order to be consist
ent in its policy, actively intervene to
protect the contracts and concessions
of its citizens engaged in agriculture
commerce and transportation in COM
petition with the subjects md citizens
of other states"
Drifting Into Anarchy
Incorporated in the message is a
financial statement showing that the
Dominican government owes to foreign
governments about $22.O0O,O0O. and that
$18,0OOO0O of this amount is recognized
The president discusses at length the
negotiations that have taken place
looking to the collection of these debts
and says that, as the foreign govern
ments were put off from time to time
they became importunate in pressing
their unsatisfied demands.
Continuing the president says: "As
the result of chronic disorders, attended
with constant increase of debt. the
state of things in Santo Domingo has
become hopeless unless the United
States or some other strong govern
ment shall interpose to bring order out
Of the chaos. Either we must aban-
don our duty under our traditional
lcOntinued On Page Two.)