The Washington times., 1906-04-04
The SantO Domingo Treaty.

Although the treaty negotiated be-
tween the United States and the Do
minican Republic has not been voted on
adversely by the Senate, the action of
the Democratic caucus is believed by
many to have put the agreement sound
asleep. Indeed. there have been rumors
that the principle involved i'm the in
strument would be made effectual by
resolution, provided a majority OF the
Senate could be got TO concur in the pro
posal.
Meantime. commercial bodies are con-
sidering the treaty and bringing their
influence to bear TO advance it toward
ratification. Among these is the New
York Board OF Trade and Transporta-
ton. which has just adopted favorable
report on the subject. At the meeting
held March 2s, f. s. A De Lima, as
chairman, submitted the report of the
committee on foreign and insular trade
In this the following appeal was made
for a wider interest in the pending
agreement;
The treaty concerns not only Santo
Domingo. nor even primarily that re-
public. but Is a question pregnant with
the greatest significance TO our people
and to our commerce. II is closely in
terwoven with. in fact, il is the natural
President Madison and subsequently re-
affirmed and enlarged upon by Presi-
dent Monroe. to the effect that IL Is es-
Sential to the safety and welfare of the
United States that no European power
he permitted TO extend its system on this
continent. nor TO OppreSs nor in any
manner control the destiny OF our
neighbors, whose independence has been
acknowledged by this country This
doctrine is one in which every American
citizen, a true lover OF his country, be-
leves. regardless Of party. It follows.
therefore. that any act. righuuliy based
upon il. should be considered in a non
partisan spirit and purely with regard
10 its bearing upon the common good.
Wisely, perhaps. the committee does
not dwell upon the higher motives
which should prompt us 10 extend TO
"A weak power that aid which ii has
invoked of US" but the argument is
based solely on the commercial side
of the Santo Domingo treaty. In other
words. the business interests Of this
country are told that the treaty Will
not only alIay any danger 10 the trade
OF the United States. but that it Will
result in the development of our com
merce with the island republic. and.
what is more important with many, if
not all OF our southern neighbors. The
report Is well conceived and prepared.
and its logic is sound up TO this strong
conclusion;
Those who have been opposing the
treaty evidently fail absolutely TO grasp
the danger to which we are exposed:
they are iulled into sense of false Sc
curity because we have up TO the pres
ems time been successful in warding off
serious difficulties, while unfolding the
Monroe Doctrine They do not realize.
as have our, President, who are by the
very nature of thii.as in close contact
with foreign countries. or as do the mer-
chants who have made n lifelong study
of the conditions prevailing among our
southern neighbors. and their relations
with the powers of Europe, that those
conditions and relations, as they exist
AT present. constitute a serious menace
TO peace and commerce. nor do those
VINO oppose the treaty realize that,
n the relations of this country with
the republics 10 the south of US insured
the maintenance of their internal peace
and order. that would contribute greatly
70 the DEVELOPMENT of our trade with
those countries, every one of which. pos
sesses remarkably fertile soils, on which
valuable products are and can be grown
and mines and forests replete with
wealth. They present untold pOssibili-
ties and resources awaiting develop
ment. and they would be a highly ad-
Nantageous outlet for a large portion
OF the overDroduction of our fields and
factories. provided they were assured
or stable governments. To this we
could greatly contribute by properly
especially when they appeal to rs as
SANTA no