The Globe-republican., 1905-03-16
THINKS WAR MAY Be CHECKED
The Treaty Should Be Had at as Early
a Moment as the Senate, After Civ.
Ing the Matter Full Consideration,
May Find Practicable.

Az WIZ oSSohu iSoou6S VI
Roosevelt on the Santo Domingo
treaty. The message follows:
ITO the senate: | wish to call the
attention Of the senate at this execu-
tive session to the treaty with Santo
Domingo. I feel that ought to state
to the senate that the condition Of al.
fairs in Santo Domingo is such that
it Is very much for the interest of that
republic that action on the treaty
should be had at as early a moment
as the senate, after giving the mat
ter full consideration, may find prac.
ticable.
IL call attention to the following
facts:
81. This treaty was entered into
at the earnest request Of Santo Do
mingo herself, and Is designed to at.
ford Santo Domingo relief and assist,
ance. Its primary benefit will be to
Santo Domingo. 1t offers the method
most likely 10 secure peace and TO pre-
vent war in the island
90. The benefit to the United
States will consist chiefly in the ten
dency under the treaty to secure sta
bllity, order and prosperity in Santo
Domingo and the removal of the ap-
prehension lest foreign powers make
aggressions on Santo Domingo in the
course Of collection of claims of their
citizens, for it is greatly to our inter
est that all islands in the Caribbean
Sea should enjoy peace and prosper
ity and feel good will towards this
country. The benefit to honest credi-
tors will come from the fact that for
the first time under the treaty a prac.
ticable method of attempting to settle
the debts due them will be inaugu-
rated.
"S. Many false debts alleged to
be due from Santo Domingo to out
side creditors unquestionably on their
face represent far more money than
was ever actually given Santo Domin-
go. The proposed treaty provides for
a process by which impartial experts
will determine what debts are valid
and what are in whole or in part in
valid and will apportlon accordingly
the surplus revenue available for the
payment of the debts. This offers the
only method for preventing the collec-
ton of fraudulent debts, whether owed
to Americans or to citizens of other
nations.
"a. This treaty affords the most
practical means for receiving pay
ment of the claims of American citi-
zens.
IS. If the treaty is ratified, credi'
tors belonging to other nations will
receive exactly as good treatment as
creditors who are citizens of the
United States and at the same time
Santo Domingo will be protected
against unjust claims. If 1t is not rati'
fed the chances are that American
creditors will fare i'll as compared
with those of other nations; for
foreign nations, being nearer the op-
portunity to get what is rightfully due
their citizens, under the proposed ar
rangement will be left to collect the
debts due their citizens as they see
fit, provided, of course, there is not
permanent occupancy Of Dominican
territory. As in such cases the Uni
ted States will have nothing to say as
to what debts should or should not be
collected, and as Santo Domingo will
be left without aid, assistance or pro-
lection, it is impossible to state the
sums collected from it will not be i'm
proper in amount. In such event what
ever is collected by means of forcible
intervention will be applied to the
creditors of foreign nations in prefer,
ence to creditors who are citizens of
the United States.
sc. The correspondence between
the secretary of state and the minister
of Hayti, submitted to the senate sew.
eral days ago, shows that our position |
is explicitly and unreservedly that I'm.
der no circumstances do we intend to |
acquire territory in or possess either |
Hayti or Santo Domingo.
81. Santa Domingo needs the aid
of a powerful and friendly nation. |
This aid we are able and | trust, that |
we are willing to bestow, She has |
asked for this aid and the expressions |
of friendship repeatedly sanctioned by |
the people and the government of the |
United States warrant her in believ-
Ing that 1t will not be withheld in the |
hour of her need.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The White House, March 6, 1905. "