New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-13
"MEXICO AND PAN-AMERICAN ISM"
The Dominican Republic Another Test Of
Mr.. Wilson's Sincerity.
o The Editor Of The Tribune.

70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: have read your excellent leader OF
Monday. entitled "Mexico and Pan-American'
ism" and think that it gives, with an seeu-
racy not often found IN the press Of this
country. a just impression Of the attitude Of
Latin America as regards the interference Of
the United States in its affairs. "rhe good
faith of the Pan-American policy" as you
term il, of the Wilson Administration is now
to be tested You mention three test cases
Mexico. Hayti Nicaragua. There is fourth
Just at present. Santo Domingo. There IS
now an Intervention Of the United states IN
the Dominican Republic, and the reasons for
1T are none too clear
Nearly "a month ago there was dissenson
between the President Of the Dominican Re-
public and his Secretary Of War The armed
support of the United States was Immediately
offered TO President Jmenez, but he resigned
rather than force his stay in power with for
eign help against his own countrymen. Not
withstanding this, and although there had
been no fighting. American forces were landed
in the city Of Santo Domingo The govern
ment Of the country passed into the hands Of
a group of secretaries Of Jimenez, and Con-
gress. in accordance with the constitution.
began to elect a Provisional President
The American Minister said at first that the
American forces had landed in order that the
election might be made under no constraint
Afterward, however, he opposed the continu'
ance Of the election, and, as there are no
Dominican forces in the city 20 resist the
American ships and men, Congress has been
compelled TO submit 20 this anomalous veto.
Since then the American forces have stayea
there. under the pretext that there is no
peace in the country Last week more forces
we're landed. not without friction, az other
ports. The majority of the American public
hears very little Of this, as the Intervention
in Santo Domingo includes an American "cen-
sorship" Of telegraphc news.
The preservation Of peace in the country Is
invoked as the pretext for this Intervention
It had already been the pretext Of nearly all
the measures taken by the United states IN
relation TO the Dominican Republic during
the last few years especially for The lsV'
convention and its consequences However
they have most signally failed 70 preserve
the peace. In spite Of all the governments
boasts here. % is a frequent opinion among
Latin-Americans that the interference OF tne
United States. diplomatic or otherwise mas
always tended TO foster revolutionary as
turbanccs among US. IN the case Of the DO
minican Republic IL is really difficult 10 see
how mere convention" between the two
countries for the settlement Of foreign ae'-'
could be the instrument Of peace.
In the present situation, the reasons gwen
for the American Intervention could not "
wagner nor It's good results less evident o1'
for the people Of Santo Domingo the reasons
appear clear enough: they know that 'H'
United States is trying TO obtain the aoso'u's
control of the Caribbean Sea, and that ihe
Wilson Administration. Do spite OF p"
rhetorical utterances on the subject lhlHA.
little of violating the territorial sovereighf
Of smaller countries. They are a"a'1' 60.
that there may be even pcttier motives tne'
know that. although Mr. Bryan IS absent from
the government. during the last year '"'
Wilson Administration has insisted on oo'''".
ing control Of all the sources Of revenue
in the republic in order 20 give employ ine..
20 deserving Democrats" Employment "
be paid. of course, with Dominican money
and TO be secured, ID seems, even with she''
ding Of blood.
May I add that. as the records 10 me Stss
Department at Washington will show hardy
ever have American lives or property suuefs1
from the revolutionary disturbances IN i'e
Dominican Republic T. H. ChENA'
New York. June s, 1916.
We did not refer 10 the Dominican -
public as a test Of President Wilson's pro-
fessions of Pan-Americanism, because wv
present situation in that republic was no.
created by him. II is an Inheritance ron
earlier administrations-E