Arizona republican., 1912-04-22
People of Santo Domingo Are Grateful for the Help Given by
 Uncle Sam
SECRETARY HAD
 A FINE VISIT
Country is Discharging For eign Obligations and Meeting Interest
 on Loans
fAss0ciated Press Dispatch

SANTO DOMINGO, April 21.-The visit of Secretary Knox to the Do- lninican Republic had a peculiar in terest for him. because it is here that the United States Is demonstrating what it can do to assist a struggling republic if given control of it's GUS toms
 There is no doubt of the great benefit that has accrued the Domin- ican republic through the American financial "occupation. Not only is the country steadily discharging her foreign obligations, originally esti- mated at $40,000.0 900. 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 to hold out against revolutionists. The only Dominicans not wholly in sympathy with the arrangement seem to be those who prOfited under the old or der of things.
 That some profited appears prOba- ble in the light of the fact that the Dominican republic is receiving greater returns from it's customs than ever before after deducting 55 per cent of the whole, which is ap- piled to the payment of it's debts and interest This is due in part, of course to the adoption of better business methods and revision of the custom rates inviting increased imports and exports.
 It is hinted that frauds against the government are still possible in the matter of the expenditure of the money turned over to it. and the construction of the new boulevard that stretches west from the city seventeen miles along the sea coast, at a cost of S2O000 per mile is cited as an instance where the government did not drive very hard bargain. However. the boulevard is a splendid improvement. affOrding a delightful drive and has encouraged the use of automobiles and some thirty cars are now owned in Santo De- mingo The government palace has been rebuilt into an excellent Struc- ture. and this with the boulevard and other Improvements. has been made possible through American fin ancial supervision.
 The weak spot in the convention, according to some who took the Oc- casion of MT. KnoX's visit to express their views. is that the American control is limited to the custom houses. There remain the internal dues, stamp taxes liquor taxes and consumption taxes, which, if honestly administered. should return about $2, | 100000 annually. These. which amount to about 9 per cent of the total income of the government, con- tinue under the control of the Do- minican officials and furnish a loop | hole for the revolutiOnists, of whom there are always a few at least. The theory of the American state department is that revolutions. can- not thrive unless the custom houses 1 fall into the hands of the disturbers | Remove the sineWS of war or make their seizure impossible because O1 | American control and the disturbel 1 is helpless. Peace and prosperity fol- i low logically.
 The Americans, apparently were SC | anxious to conclude the financia
 arrangement with the Dominican re- public that they took what they l could get at the moment. Now it i: a question whether the internal re
 venues are not sufficient to stake {
 revolutionary movement It wa' pointed out that there is nothing tt prevent a rebelliOus leader pledgins
 these incomes for loan with whicl | to finance a revolution. If the pledg ise made to interests inimical to tn, United states or to bankers who's, governments are not in sympath! with the Monroe Doctrine, so mucl the worse.
 That something of the sort is nov brewing is one of the stories that tn, lvisitor to the Dominican republic i
 told.
 President Victoria is not popula
 and the government is admitted t
 be weak. When President Cacere Twas shot to death, Alfredo Victoria
 who, at the age of 27 was the com
 mander of the army, assumed contro
 of affairs He summoned the mem
 bers of the council of ministers t
 him one at time and forced tn
 election of his uncle as president. H
 made himself minister of war, anC
 having the support of the army, ha
 since ruled according to common re
 port his uncle being little more tha ; a figurehead. The relatives of tn two Victorias have been well take
 care of in minor offices, and this ha
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