The San Francisco call., 1905-02-17

This situation again reacts injuriously upon
the relations of the United States with other
nations. For when an award and such Sc
curity thus obtained in the case OF the
Santo Domingo Improvement Company some
conflicts with its rights creditor to some
portion of these revenues under an alleged
prior pledge; and still other governments COM
plain that an award in any considerable sum.
secured by pledges of the customs revenue, is
meritorious claims out Of the ordinary rev
enues and thus controversies are begotten be-
tween the United states and otner eredltor
nations because of the apparent sacrince OF
some of their claims. which may be just or
may be grossly exaggerated. but which the
United States Government cannot inquire into
without giving grounds Of offense to other
friendly creditor nations Still further Illus
trations might easily be furnished of the hope
of the social disorders and the bankrupt
finances of the Dominican republic where for
bends of civil society have been practically
dissolved
go, ernmenA within their right, If they
choose to exercise 1t. when they actively In
tervene in support of the contractural claims
of their subjects They sometimes exercise
this right and on account of commercial
rivalry there is a growing tendency on the
part of other governments more and more to
AID diplomaticaIlv in the enforcement Of the
claims Of their subjects. In view OF the
dilemma in which the Government OF the
United States Is thus placed IL must either
adhere to its usual attitude Of non-interven-
ton in such cases-an attitude proper under
nCfnal condltlons. out one Nnlcn, IN TINS
particular kind of case. results to the dis
adj antage of its citizens In comparison with
those of other stateS-Cr else 1t must, In order
to be consistent In its policy, actively inter
to protect the contracts and concessions
of its citizens engaged in agriculture, COM
merce and transportation in competition with
the subjects of other states This course
would render the United states the insurer
of all the speculative risks of its citizens in
franchises of Santo Domingo
TASK NOT DIFFICULT.
Under the plan in the protocol herewith
submitted TO. the Senate insuring faithful
collection ard application of the revenues to
this difficult task be ccOmplfshed with
the friendly cooperation and good will of all
the parties concerned and to the great relief
o. the Domiriean republic,
itors IS about SD. 600 0G9 and of this sum over
SIS. O00, 900 is more less formally recog-
niZed The representatives of European Gov
erEments have several times approached the
and intolerable delays to which they have been
subjected at the hands Of the successive gov
ernments of Santo Domingo and intimating
that. unless the Dominican Government should
receive some assistance from the United
States in the way of regulating its finances
forced TO resort to more effective measures OF
mpulsion to secure the satisfaction OF their
claims
II the United States Government declines to
sort to action 70 secure payment OF their
claims, the latter would be entitled, according
to the decision of The + tribunal In the
Venezuelan cases to the sferential payment
Of their claims; and this would absorb all the
Dominican revenues and would be virtual
sacrifice of all American claims and interest
outstanding. II, moreover. any such action
should be taken by them. the only method to