The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-02-11


as European. was facilitated by the
ominous remark OF President Roose-
welt, in his message 10 this congress at
it's opening session:
Some Invalid Claims.
The treaty gives to Santo Domingo
the only opportunity of defense against
claims which il ought not to nav for
now if it meets the approval of the SEN
ate we shall ourselves. thoroughly ex-
anime all these claims whether Amer
lean or foreign, and see that none that
are improper are paid. There is. of
course, opposition 10 the treaty from
dishonest creditors. foreign and Amer
lean, and from the professional revol,,-
tlonists Of the island itself. We have
already reason TO believe that some of
the creditors who do not dare EXPOSE
their claims to honest scrutiny are en-
deaVoring TO stir up sedition i'm the ISL
and and opposition to the treaty.
1t is, of course, assumed that this
source OF opposition to the new treaty
IS now removed. The remaining oppo-
sition, If any, will be based upon famil-
lar criticism of the action of the ex
ecutive of the United States. i'm enter
Ing upon this agreement for the collec-
ton and assignment of Santo Domingo
revenues without consulting the senate
although the action was taken at the
request Of that government The new
treaty will contain little beside provid-
Ing for continuing this arrangement
The convention that has been pending
thus becomes of no interest. As orig
inally sent to the senate, the text Of
that treaty was made public. but since
then Dc has undergone many amend
ments which would make it's present
form. which is confidential unrecog-
nizable, even if it were now important.
Aid Asked of United States.
The Dominican government has re-
peatedly invoked the aid of the United
States. In 1899, 1t sought a protectorate
under the Washington government. bat
IN vain. In 1904, the request of its min
lister of foreign affairs. preferred IN
Washington I'm person for aid I'm ire
financial and social disorder was re-
fused In 1903 a foreign government
proposed to the United States Joint fis-
cal control OF the Dominican republic
by creditor nations. This proposition
was also declined. But in 1905 the con-
dition became such that for. the United
states 10 repeat its refusal to accede
TO the request Of the Dominican re-
public for aid I'm it's financial entangIe-
ments would have amounted TO a re-
fusal 10 accept its responsibilities. I'M
der the Monroe doctrine. and would
rave opened the door Tor some foreign
power or powers 10 have collected their
claims by force, with unknown possi- |
bic complications.
In this instance. the United states
has proceeded upon the principle that
since adherence to the Monroe doctrine
would not allow European power To |
exercise it's rights TO collect a debt due
it's subjects by one OF the southern re-
publics by Selling its customs houses |
or territory. il became the duty Of the |
United states to investigate the merits |
Of the case and, IL the debt be iust tn |
collect and pay il. President Roosevelt |
has described this position as "in the
interest OF peace as we'll as in the in |
terest of Justice"
The history OF the foreign debt of |
Santo Domingo has been recounted in !
the report for 1904 OF the council of Che |
OF foreign bondhoiders. Of /
whose SaIlto Domingo committee Right |
Lord Aven Avebury was
then chairman. This report is the re-
,itai of recurrent series OF defaults |
and reconversions of loans 1
in the submission to inter- |
national arbitration in 1903 OF the
,lains OF the San Domingo Improves
nent company of New York The
lward Of the arbitrators. which was ia
'orahie TO the company. was soon fol-
owed by the probability Of foreign ac-
ion. had not American intervention oc-
urred.