The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-02
WILSON SCORES IN
DOMINICAN POLICY
Elections Under American Super
vision Fairest in History
of Republic.

washington, January 1.-Americar
agents who were sent to San Domingo
as election observers, in tho face of
considerable opposition. have reported
to the State Department that the new
Dominican Constitutional Assembly
was chosen in the 'fairest and frcest'
elections ever held on the island. In a
statement yesterday making the re-
port public. the department said:
1T is felt that the holding of fair
and free elections with our encourage
ment and assistance is cause for
qualification and distinct achievement
for the Presidents Latin American pol
icy"
The departments agents were aided
in observing the elections by twenty
nine American officials from Porto Rico.
On January Is the Constitutional Con-
vcntion Will meet to prepare an ade-
uuate electoral law and introduce GER
tain necessary notifications I'm the Con-
Stitution When it's labors shall have
been concluded new presidential clec-
tions will be held.
The statement, after referring to
Minister Sullivan's efforts to end tho
recent revolution on the island. con-
tinued:
He was successful In securing Il
cessation of hostilities and the submits
sion of pending differences to the bal
lot. He promised that the American
government would exercise it's good Of
fees to secure free and fair elections.
and the Dominican government on it's
part promised - accord to all factions
the right of free ballot, free press and
free speech.
1T is felt that this governments
procedure with regard to the elections
has had a most gratifying effect. When
the department representatives left
Washington the was considerable
feeling against them. The true nature
of their mission was, however, made
public in Santo Domingo, and dis
tlnct Improvement iii public opinion
was noticeable.
The first day Of the balloting passed
of quietly. On the morning of the
second day the government caused the
arrest OF four prominent Dominicans
" no were leaders of the opposition
party In the capital, on the charge
OF conspiracy to seize the barracks and
assassinate the President. This action
served to intimidatc the voters of the
opposition, and such large numbers of
them returned TO their homes in the
country without voting that the lead
ers of the party announced the with
drawal Of their ticket.
The leaders of the opposition made
public protest against the validity Of
the elections. alleging intimidation and
coercion. There was high feeling, and
the situation was critical.
After a frank and friendly discus
sion of all phases OF the situation,
which the Dominican Cabinet sought
with the American minister and the
departments representatives ii was
agreed that prompt measures should
be taken. The President issued de-
cree calling n special session of the Do
minican Congress for January to CON
slider the validity of the elections. and
issued proclamation setting forth the
government's desire that all factions
should submit their differences to the
Congress and should abide by its de-
clsion. II may be said in passing that
gress and that the submission OF pend
ing questions to that body would seem
to afford a full and adequate opportun-
ity for the settlement OF grievances.
The elections otherwise passed off
quietly. and were tho fairest ever held
in the republic. Before the departure
of the departments representatives
President DO; das expressed apprecia-
tion of their services"