New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-27
TIE DOMLNLC4N TREATY.

The unprecedented observer on reviewing the
Dominican treaty which was yesterday rati-
fed by the Senate and considering it's terms
and provisions and also the train Of Incidents
which led to it, will probably conclude that
there never was any occasion for n 1.-THE OF
the opposition which was manifested toward
that measure and toward the Presidents whole
Dominican policy, save TO serve the unworthy
ends of partisan cantankerousness. It is con
ceivable that some who are desperately desir-
Gus Of putting the administration IN a hole"
would resOlutely dispute the proposition that
two and two make four II 1t were officially
made by the President Such an attitude is
however, scarcely entitled to serious consd-
Grafton. And any other attitude of hostility to
the administrations policy toward Santo Do
mingo is amply disposed of by the Senate's
action of yesterday.
For that policy is vindcated in the most sat
isfactory manner by the !ndisputable fact ex-
pressed in the opening words of the treaty
which has Just been ratified, to the effect that
the Dominican government has now effected a
conditional settlement Of its debts and all the
various claims against it. Two years ago that
could not have been said. On the contrary
the Dominican government was in extreme en-
barrassment and was threatened with the aD-
plicatton Of force for the collection Of claims
some Of which were valid, but many Of which
| made the change? What has enabled the insu-
| lar government to effect the settlement? There
| is but one answer: The benevolent policy of
the United states-or, rather, Of the President
OF the United States since the Senate has not
until now given formally to that policy the
| approval which the overwhelming mass OF
| thoughtful citizens long ago gave Informally
| but most cordially TO it. Every Intelligent man
knows that If President Roosevelt had not
| done as he did, and had not adopted the very
policy which for two years he vainly asked the
| Senate TO approve but which at last it has
| approved. the Dominican Republic would not
have been able 10 effect any such settlement
| but would now be In q worse plight than before
1t is true that the settlement or adjustment
now effected is only conditional" Yes but
what is - condition upon which If rests;
Practical. that the American policy toward
the island shall be maintained until the set
tement can he made absolute
The wouid-Oe criticism that the treaty now
| ratified is different in terms from that ar first
proposed is scarcely better than a bubble. OF
course, there is difference, for the reason that
conditions have changed. There have been twc
years Of practical working Of the PRESIDENT
policy, though without the official sanction 81
the Senate-a sanction which apparently was
not really needed, if we are 10 judge from thu
Senate's own action in declaring that the Presi
dents nomination of men to manage the Domini
can debt shall not be subject to Senatorial r2ti
fication. THE condition now to be dealt witt
is not the one which existed two years ago. bu
the one which has been brought about by tn,
operations of the Presidents policy during thes
two fruitful and profitable years The need