Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-25
AMERICAN FORCES
IN NSANT0DOM|NCO
TO Be WITHDRAWN
Proclamation by Rear-Ad-
miral Snowden An
nounces Purpose.
WILL MAKE AMENDMENTS
TO NATIONS CONSTITUTION
Adviser to Commission Will Be
Named by Military
Governor.
REDRAFT ELECTION LAWS
Purposes OF United States in Inter.
vcntion Substantially Achieved,
Says Proclamation.
WILL MAKE AMENDMENTS
TO NATIONS CONSTITUTION
REDRAFT ELECTION LAWS
Purposes Of United States in Inter.
vcntion Substantially Achieved,
Says Proclamation.
IBy Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-By direc-
tion of the President, initial steps
we're taken today for withdrawal of
American control over affairs of the
Dominican Republic
"A proclamation announcing this
purpose was issued at Santo Domingo
by Rear Admiral Thomas Snowden.
military governor. It's text was made
public here. BY it's terms the friend
~ purposes OF American military in
tervention in the Islands in 1916 are
declared to be substantially achIey-
ed" and simple processes" inaugu-
rated for rapid withdrawal from the
responsibilities assumed in connec-
tion with Dominican affairs
Dominican commission, aided nv
an American adviser. will be named
by Admiral Snowden to formulate
amendments to the Dominican con-
stitution and draft new election laws.
When approved by the military gov
ernment, these will be submitted TO
a constitutional convention and the
Dominican national Congress as n.
preliminary to the erection of
Dominican government to which .he
affairs OF the republic will be turned
over.
An accompanying announcement
by the State Department said tran
quillity prevailed in the republic: that
Dominican finance had been placed
on stable basis; education and
sanitation advanced and the peoplc
Tor the first time in many years"
had been able to devote themselves
to peaceful pursuits.
IH Text of ProcI n n, n f1or
The text OF tho proclamation "a
made public by the State Depart
ment simultaneous with Its issuance
In Santo Domingo, capital of tho
republic. follows:
Whereas. the friendly purposes of
the United States In the employment.
pursuant to right derived from the
treaty OF 1907. OF It's military forces
within the Dominican Republic for
the restoration of public order and
the protection OF life and property
nave been substantially achieved, and.
whereas. IL has always been the
desire and intention OF the govern
ment OF the United States to with
draw It's aid as soon as it could do
SO consistently with the said pur-
poses ana as soon as the improved
conditions in Santo Domingo to which
the United States has sought to con-
tribute should give promise OF per-
manence.
NOW. therefore, j. Thomas Snow
den' rear admiral. United States
Navy. military governor OF tho Domi-
nican Republic, acting under the au-
thority and by direction OF the gov
ernment Of the United States, declare
ana announce to all concerned that
the government OF the United States
believes the time has arrived when II
may. with due sense OF It's respon-
sioiiity to the people of the Domi
mean Republic, inausurate the sim
pie processes OF its rapid withdrawal
from the responsibilities assumed in
connection with Dominican affairs.
Draft New Election Law.
Announcement Is therefore made
that commission OF representative
Dominican citizens will be appointed.
the personnel OF which will shortly
be announced. to which it is my pur-
pose to attach a technical adviser.
This commission Will be intrusted
with the formulation Of amendments
TO the Constitution and a general re-
vision OF the laws OF the republic.
including the drafting of new cleo
tion law. Such amendments to the
constitution and such laws. or such
revision OF existing laws. as may be
recommended by the commission.
upon approval by the military gov
ernmcnt In occupation, will be SUBJ
mitted to constitutional convention
and to the nationa, Congress OF tho
Dominican republic, respectively"
a statement issued by the State
Department said complete tranquility
had existed for some time through
out the republic and that the people
for the first time In many years had
been enabled to devote themselves to
peaceful occupations without fear OF
disturbance.
The finances OF the country the
statement continued, have been
placed on stable basis: great i'm
provemcnts have been brought about
in public works; particular attention
has been devoted to S5anltatlon and
public health; the educational sys-
tenn has been completely reorganized,
with the result that. whereas there
was school attendance Of about
$4,000 pupils before the occupation,
there are now 100000 pupils attend
ing school. AZ the result Of the.
American administration, the gross
revenues Of the republic have In
creased from total OF some $4,000
600 in 1915 to total OF over $780,
900 In 1919"
M1sw Msve osIEesNs NsEse.Rsr Man Man gs'ons,. s9n
Moore editor and manager OF the
Times Ptcayune. who ~ we'll known