The sun., 1918-07-07

since Mr. Hazards work (Sdnto Do
mingo, Past and Present, rith Glance
at Haiti, by Samuel Hazard) which ap-
peared in 1873 and was reviewed by the
present writer in the columns of THE
Sun. A new one was therefore much
needed to bring our knowledge of the
country up to date; and this We have in
Santo Domingo: A Country uith
Future, by Otto Schoenrich, secretary to
the United States Commissioner who in
vestigated the financial condition of
Santo Domingo in 1905, and subsequently
secretary TO the Dominican Minister of
Finance.
His frequent visits to the island and
long sojourn there have made him famil-
lar with the political, social and business
conditions which prevail in this republic
of revolutions as Santo Domingo has
aptly been denominated; a title which is
becoming less appropriate than it was,
however, since the United States Govern
ment has consented to supervise the col
lection of the customs and payment Of
the foreign debt and has thus really
established a sort of American protec-
of Hayti.
Americas Stake.
1t is vital to the preservation of polit-
ical liberty in the United States that the
countries about the Caribbean Sea should
be kept free from the domination of any
hostile autocratic power. This truth has
been realized more intensely than ever
before since Germany has revealed her
true attitude toward the rest of the
world in the course of the present great
war. When therefore the Dominicans
found themselves bankrupt and hope
lessly at a loss how to adjust their in
debtedness it became a matter of the first
importance to US that Santo Domingo
should seek aid from this country rather
than from a Government which might
exploit the island not merely TO the ad-
vantage of Germany but greatly to the
detriment of the United States
BY its treatment of Spain after the
war of 1898 the United States had
shown that a great nation was capable
of acting unselfshly and in accordance
with altruistic ideals. When Elihu Root
was Secretary of State the Dominieans
appealed to him to help them settle their
national debt. Fearing that any inter
vention might lead to a scheme for an
nexation, .aany members of the Senate
opposed any and every scheme for rem
dering aid. An agreement was finally
made, however, between the Government
of Santo Domingo and its creditors,
whereby the latter agreed to accept speci-
fed sums In satisfaction of their claims
to be paid out of the customs in install
ments, provided the United States would
consent to appoint a receiver general to
collect the duties and apply them to
the liquidation of the Indebtedness.
The Senate confirmed treaty sanction
ing this agreement, and since 1907 the
customs income of the Dominican Repub-
lie has been collected by an American
General Receiver, appointed by the Presi-
dent. "The customs receivership," says
Mr.. Schoenrich, "has continued to render
invaluable service. In peace and war its
officials have distinguished themselves by
highly efficient, tactful and fearless dis
charge of their duties. Up to 1913 ap-
pointments to the service were determined
by the fitness and experience of the ap-
pointee rather than by his political ante
eedents, and the officials appointed pos
sessed unusual qualifications" This ref
erence to 1913, however, must be regarded
as an intimation that there has been a
falling off in the character of the APP
pointees since that date
Our Delicate Task.
The relations established by such a
fiscal treaty as ours with Santo Domingo