Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-24
TO PROTECT COTTON
WARSHIPSN PATROL
LING DOMINICAN WATERS.

Reports of a movement against the Ca
ceres government in Santo Domingo by
troops now in the island, reinforced by an
expedition from some of the neghboring
Islands. are expected at any time by the
State Department and Navy Department
officials.
The attack upon Macoris and the release
of prisoners from the fort at that point are
regarded as the beginning of a united
movement by revolutionary forces in Santo
Domingo and leaders from adjacent islands.
1t Is now known that the revolutionists
captured small supply of arms and am
munition at Macoris before they retired,
taking with them few political prisoners
to assist in the movement against Caceres.
Although Commander Southerland U. S.
N, and the officers who are assisting him
in patroling the Dominican coast can
doubtless prevent the landing of any con-
siderable revolutionary party, 1t Is believed
that the reyolutonists are well enough or
ganized in the island to make an effective
movement, If encouraged by the return of
any of the military heroes now in exile.
There two places in Santo Domingo
called Macoris, but the Macoris known to
the United States navy is on the southern
coast and has an excellent harbor. The
hdSOiiS llio IiOTtHeIil coast Is only Il
point, and naval officers are of the opin-
ion that the revolutionary movement
against the fort was at the Macoris on the
southern coast and not far from Santo Do
mingo City.
Samana bay, where revolutionists made
successful stand several months ago and
forced the Caceres officials to compromise
with them is on the east coast of Santo
Domingo and is only a short distance from
Macoris on the southern coast.
The Navy Department was advised today
of the movement Of two United States gun
boats from the north coast of Santo Do
mingo for the eastern and southern part of
the island. The San Juan de Austria sailed
from Sanchez for Samana. on Samana bay,
and the Paducah sailed from Sanchez for
Macoris. the scene of the revolutionary
movement reported yesterday.
In reporting the affair at Macoris, Com
mander Switzerland said that mo Ameri-
can interests were endangered" 1t Is reaiiz-
ed that the United States forces cannot In
terfere with the actions of the rival polfti-
cal parties unless United States interests
are Jeopardlzed. Acting on that theory, 1t
is said that the revolutionary leaders have
cautioned their forces to refrain from any
action that would Justify interference with
their movements by the United States
forces. Commander Switzerland has been
instructed to prevent the landing in Santo
Domingo Of any filibustering expedition
which may have been organized or fitted
| out In territory of the United States which,
as the mainland of the United States 1t
Is understood that such is the meaning of
his instructions to enforce the neutrality
laws of the United States in Dominican
territory.
Consul Payne at st. Thomas has reported
to the State Department that he Is vigil
lently watching developments in that part
OF the West Indies, but has not been able
to discover any new facts connected with
the reported revolutionary movement
against Santo Domingo.
1t was stated this afternoon that the ex-
tent of the American naval activities in
case the revolution takes violent form will
be limited to the protection of American
lives, property and interests generally.
That policy, 1t is declared. necessarily In
wolves the protection Of Col. Cotton, the
United States controller of the Dominican
customs. and his forces Of employees. Inas-
much as the custom house are the prizes
most coveted by revolutionists. who find the
funds obtained therefrom indispensable to
successful insurrection, rigid enforce
ment of that program would undoubtedly
be to the decided advantage of the existing
government, II 1t did not actually frustrate
the plans of the revolutionary party.