Evening star., 1912-09-14
AWAITING THE FACTS
United States Halts Interven-
tion in Santo Domingo. 4
RUM0RS ARE MISLEADING
Commander Of Gunboat Petrol and
American Consuls to Report.
ACTIVITY OF REv0LUTIoNISTS
Aim Of This Government Is to Pro-
tect Customs Houses Under
Its Supervision.
RUMORS ARE MISLEADING
ACTIVITY OF REvoLUTIoNIsTs;

The State Department is awaiting fur
ther reports from Minister Russell. the
commander Of the gunboat Petrol. now &C
Santo Domingo, and the American con-
suls OF the ominican Republic regarding
revolutionary Developments in that coun-
try before deciding that it is necessary
for the United States to intervene. There
is a notable lack OF information from the
northern side of the island which Is the
seat OF the present revolutionary trouble.
Such news regarding the situation in that
quarter as has reached Washington has
proved to be misleading owing 10 the ap-
parent desire OF the Dominican ofhcials
to minimize the extent of the uprising.
The State Department believes that IL is
now confronted with formidable out
break where il had supposed conditions
were satisfactory and quiet
Petrol to Make Report.
The Petrol has been at Puerto Plata and
other points on the north and northeast
coast of the island and will arrive at
Santo Domingo in a day or two and re-
port the facts for the government. OF the
State Department. The one element above
all others which may determine tNe
United States to assume a protectorate
over Santo Domingo is the reported seiz-
ure by the rebels OF some OF the customs
houses on the border between Haiti ana
Sal nto Domingo. which were being operat-
ed by American officials. The closing OF
these customs houses not only cuts on tne
revenue which under the treaty Is TO De COL
lected to meet the interest charges ana
other Indebtedness OF the Dominican gov
ernment. but opens the door TO whoiesaie
smuggling from Haiti. including consish
ments Of arms and ammunition for the
rebels which Is making the revoiutionary
Tn
So explicit are the treaty provisions re-
1arding the customs houses that state
Department officiais feel II is not only
the right but the duty OF the American
nece ssary to regain possession or the
buildings Hence the consideration by
the officials OF the necessity Tor inter-
vention at this time. question whicn
of the reports expected from the Petrers
commander and the other oncials.
Some of the American customs coi-
lectors ana inspectors who have recent
ly arrived in this country on leave OF 40
sence from their posts in Santo Domingo
ascribe the recurrence OF revolutionary
troubles in the island after q long period
Of absolute tranquility to new con-
ception on the part OF the Domimcens
themselves of the exact extent OF the
treaty obligations imposed upon the
United States in the matter OF maintain
ing peace and order.
View of the Natives.
For a long time after tho conclusion or
the Dawson treaty. which provided for
the collection Of the Dominican revenues
by American officials. the Dominicans
supposed that as a necessary assertion
of that power the United States would
not permit revolution on the ground
that it would Interfere with the amount :
of, customs collection.
Almost accidentally and ~ an incident to
q small local disturbance II was found that
the State Department was disposed 10 use
its powers narrowly and that there would
be no interference by the United States
between contending factions so long - no
attempt was made to obtain possession
OF the custom houses. Since that time
there has been a decided growth OF revo-
lutionary activity there.
1t is probable that the United States
government may feel called upon 20 ex-
tend its functions as q conserver OF the
peace regardless of specific treaty limita-
tions, upon the broad and general obliga-
ton to suppress anarchic conditions in
the smaller American republics that may
jeopardize our own and other foreign In
terests.