The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-04-22
UNITED STATES
Helps DOMINGO
YOUNG REPUBLIC rs MAKING
RAPID STRIDES. KNOBS
VISIT is OF DEEP
INTEREST.

~ t2N%ltiAdg hNibk W AIt dominican
Republic had a peculiar interest for
him. because 1t is here that the United
States is demonstrating what it can
do TO assist a struggling Repubiio If
given CONTROL OF its customs.
There is no doubt OF tho great bene-
III that has accrued the Dominican Re-
public through the American financial
occupation" Not only is the country
| steadily discharging her foreign obi
cations, originally estimated at $4O-
100000. and meeting the interest on
her loan from New York bankers, but
internal improvements are being made
and thus far the government has been
able 10 hold out against revolutionists.
The only DOminicans not wholly in
sympathy with the Arrangement seem
to be those who prchted under the old
order Of things.
That some profited appears probable
in the light of the fact that the Do
miniCan Republic is receiving greater
returns from its customs than ever be-
fore after deducting 80 per cent of the
whole, which is applied to the payment
of its debts and interest This is due
| in part, OF course, TO the adoption Of
better business methods and revis .un
of the custom rates inviting increased
imports and exports.
Ii is hintod that frauds against the
government are stin possible in the
matter of the expenditure Of the mon
ey turned over TO II, and the construc
| ton of the new boulevard that stretch
Is west from the city seventeen miles
along the sea coast at a cost of $50
J 900 per mile. is cited as an instance
where the government did rot drive II
livery hard bargain. However, the
boulevard Is a splendid Improvement.
affording a delightful drive and has en-
| couraged the use Of automobiles and
some thirty-five cars are now owned
IN Santo Domingo. TIE government
palace has been rebuilt into an excel
lent structure, and this, with the boule.
vard and other improvements, has been
made possible through American finan-
cial supervision.
Chance for Other Help,
| The weak spot in the convention. ac-
cording TO some who took The occasion
of Knox's visit to express their views.
Is that the American control is limit
ed To the custom houses. There re-
main the internal dues, stamp taxes.
which, II honestly administered should
return about S2000O0c annually. These
which amount 10 about 20 per cent OF
the total income of the government.
| continue under the control of the Do
minican officials and furnish a ioop-
hole for the Revolutionists. of whom
there are always a few at least.
The theory of the American state
Department is that revolutions cannot
! thrive unless the custom houses fan
into the hands Of the disturbcrs. Re
move the sinews Of war or make their
seizure impossible because Of Ancri-
can control and the dsturber is help
less. Peace and prosperity follow
logically.
The Americans, apparently, were so
anxious to conclude the financial ar
rangemcnt with the Dominican Repub-
lie that they took what they couid gel
at the moment. Now It is question
whether the internal revenues are not
sufficient to stake Revolutionary
movement. II was pointed out that
there is nothing to prevent a rebelliOus
leader pledging these incomes for
loan with which to finance a revolution
If the pledge is made 10 interests ini-
mical to the United States or to bank
ers whose governments are not in SYM
pathy with the Monroe Doctrine. so
much the worse
That something Of the sort is now
brewing is one of the stories that The
visitor 10 the Dominican Republic is
told
Fine Reception for Knox.
President Victoria is not popular and
the government it admitted to be weak
When President Caceres was shot e
death. Alfredo Victoria, who, AT The
age OF q was the commander of the
army. assumed control Of affairs He
summoned the members OF The Council
of Ministers TO him one at a time ana
iOiNNu Aiit tltNAl'ii " MS NiiNit a.
President. He made himself Minister
of war. and having the Support OF the
army, has since ruled according 20
common report, his uncle being little
more than a figurchead. The relatives
of the two Victorias have been well
taken care of in minor offices. and this
has given rise to the prevailing COM
plant of Nepotism.
The ASA ton of Naceres Is at
tributed by many to hatred Of F'rederi-
Ga Velasquez. who. as Minister of FL
nance, dominated the Caceres govern
ment. often appealed to remove We
lasquez Caceres would reply: II will
go down with him. hrst" Since the
assassination Nelasquez has kept out
of the country and until a few days |
ago was in st. Thomas.
Among the guests al American Min
lister Russell's reception for MIR. Knox
at the legation was the Archbishop Of
Santo Domingo, who has the distinc-
ton Of being the first archbishop in the
Western Hemisphere, as his bishorpric
was the first To he established In the