New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-20
MIR. Wilson's Wars: IL


Mr.. Wilson made war on HaytI lie
used the armed forces of the United
States to impose an American pro-
tectorate on the Haytians. He has
also made war on the Dominican Re
public. violating its territorial integ-
rity. killing resisting natives and IN
tervening by force to put and keep IN
power a government amenable TO
American influences.
The United States has a treaty
With the Dominican Republic estab-
fishing American supervision of the
collection Of the Dominican customs
and empowering the American gen.
eral receiver to set aside part of the
customs receipts for the purpose OF
paying the republics foreign debts
This convention was ratified by our
government on February 25, 1907,
and by the Dominican government
on June IS, 1907.
II is a fiscal compact, pure and
simple. The United States, accord
ing to the text of the preamble to the
treaty. merely engages to assist" the
Dominican government in funding,
amortizing and redeeming OF the DO
minican foreign debt, But no rlght
Of political intervention is created
such as this country has enjoyed IN
the case Of Cuba since the end Of our
military occupation and such as 1t
has only this year established by
force in Hayti.
In 1907 the Dominican Repuohc
borrowed s2OOOO,OOO for use in
clearing up its obligations then OUT
standing. 1t covenanted with the
United States that our President
should appoint a general receiver Of
Dominican customs and staff Of as
sistants. These officers were to set
aside the amounts necessary to pay
the interest on the S20,000,00O bond
issue. to amortize the bonds or to re-
deem part of them. A minimum di-
version Of 81 100000 year was pro-
vided for. If the customs revenues
for any year should exceed S3,o0O,-
600. half Of the surplus was to be
applied to the sinking fund.
Between 1907 and 1911 the fiscal
supervisorship worked well. The re-
public became tranquil and regained
a large measure of prosperity. In
the last five years, however, there
has been a steady retrogression.
Revolutions have been frequent and
administration has been lax and We
nal The United States brought dip
lomatic pressure to bear from time
70 time TO restore stability in admin
istration. But the Dominicans had
become more and more Indifferent TO
that sort of pressure.
Last spring President Jiminez was
impeached by the Chamber Of Depu-
ties. He refused TO appear for trial
and threatened fight But he re
signed within few days, explaining
that he did so in order to avoid an
American Intervention. General
.Arias, leader Of one Of the anti
American factions, seized the city of
Santo Domingo. But American ma
rines were landed and he was elected.
The Chamber Of Deputies elected
Henriquez Carvajal Provisional
President. Arias then withdrew TO
the interior and continued his revolu-
tionary activities. American ma
rines were freely employed to sup
port the provisional government and
TO crush the Arias revolution. They
spread overland and occupied Monte
Cristi, Puerto Plata, Santiago and
lie Vega. Many skirmishes occurred.
Probably IS TO 100 Dominicans were
killed. The marines lost one officer
and three men. Early in July Arias
capitulated.
Rear Admiral Caperton, command
ing the American squadron, issued a
proclamation 10 the Dominicans on
June 25 last. In this he said: "The
forces Of the United States Of Amer
ica have entered the Dominican Re-
public for the purpose Of supporting
the constituted authorities and of
putting a stop 20 revolutions and con-
sequent disorders, impeding the prog
ress and prosperity Of the country.
IL is not the intention Of the
Jnited States government 20 acquire
= conquest any territory in the Do
iuican Republic nor 10 attack it's
Jyereignty, but our troops will re-
ain here until all revolutionary
ioyements have been stamped our
and until such reforms as are deemed
necessary 10 insure the future well
fare Of the country have been Until
sted and are in effective operation"
The nature Of the military enter