New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-08
fFrom The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington. Dec. with the depart
ure from Washington this afternoon of
three members Of the American diplo-
matte service for Santo Domingo. sent to
observe" the forthcoming elections of
December Is, occurs the inception of
practical application Of the insistence OF
the administration that the governments
OF Latin-America shall be constitutional
and based on law and order.
There also begins a situation which is
fraught with all sorts Of possibilities, Of
which trouble Is the foremost. While the
scheme which results in sending Amer-
can observers 10 Santo Domingo had for
It's fundamental basis specific request
for American assistance from all fac
tons I'm Santo Domingo, there il now
considerable opposition to the sending Of
this commission on the part Of the Domin-
lean government. II Is understood that
with the approach Of the actual departure
Of the American officials the authorities
in Santo Domingo City changed front and
decided that after all they did not de-
sire American assistance. The American
Minister 20 Santo Domingo, James NJ
sullivan. had however. pledged the United
states in the matter, and there was moth
ing TO do but so on with the original plan.
The delegation which left this after
noon for Havana consists of Hugh :. Glib
son, until recently first secretary OF lega-
ton at Havana, and now under appoint
ment as secretary at Brussels; Jordan H.
Stabler, an assistant chief OF the Division
fafr LraI
Stirling, a member OF the diplomatic ser
vice, now under appointment as second
secretary OF the American Legation In
Picking. He, like Mr.. Gibson and Mr.
Stabler. has had experience In Latin.
America. The party will cross Cuba from
Havana to Santiago by rail, and will be
picked up at Santiago by an American
glnboat and conveyed to Santo Domingo
City. other American officials are going
from Porto Rico to the northern part OF
Santo Domingo.
The administration is anxious that the
step which has been taken he not mis-
understood IL is difficult. however, TO
procure exact details as TO the precise
nature OF the mission Of the American Of
ficlals, for the reason that the Secretary
OF State maintains an attitude Of the ut
most reticence.
II Is known. however. that the step is
the outcome OF a pledge given by Min
.ster Sullivan TO the rebels of Santo Do
mlngo that the United States would guar
antee fair and honest elections II they
would drop the rebel movement. To this
they agreed, and as far as the State De-
partment has been informed by It's own
officials they have abided by their prom
ses. The Dominican Minister here, how
ever. says that the revolutionists have
not ceased their activities, and that there
fore the agreement about American as
sistance, 20 which the government was
also a party, nj the behest Of Mr.. Sulli-
van. is null and void, and the presence
Of American officials at the elections Is
wholly unnecessary.
There is grave doubt here that another
Dominican revolution can be avoided.
The factional feeling is exceedingly bit
ter. The forthcoming elections are for the
purpose OF selecting members of consu-
tutional assembly which will revise the
constitution and amend the electoral laws.