New-York tribune., 1921-12-27
u. S. Army Rule
Held Vital in
Santo Domingo
Banditry Curbed, Sanitation
Made Modern, Roads Built
and Schools Opened, Say
enatc investigators
New Loan Recommended
Tariff Regulations Similar
to Those Now in Effect
With Cuba Are Advised


rule OF thc American marines was
drawn to-day in statement by Chair
man Mccormick of the Senate commit
tee investigating conditions in Hayti
and Santo Domingo, in which the situa-
tion was described as the best that
country has known in modern history.
Banditry and disorder have been re-
pressed to remarkable degree, towns
have been cleaned up, ports have been
improved, roads built and a great num-
ber Of schools established
The statement, which may be consid-
cred as a preliminary report on the
findings of the Senators in these isl
ands, where the American Administra-
ton has been greatly criticized in re-
cert months, deals also with the finan-
cial difficulties OF the Dominican Re
public and recommends tariff provi-
sions similar to those in effect between
the United States and Cuba.
Withdrawal Held Impossible
Senator McCormick's statement fol-
lows:
"rhe political leaders in the Domini-
can Republic have rejected the condi-
tions proposed for the withdrawal Of
the American forces as contained in the
proclamation of the Military Governor
last June, issued by the direction Of
the President of the United States. The
population, under the advice of the
leaders, has declined to take any steps
to hold elections 80 constitute Do
nlnican government which might nego-
tiate the terms and arrange the condi-
tions OF the withdrawal Of the Ameri-
can forces and terminate the military
government constituted in Dominican
territory by the forces Of the United
States. At the present time it is i'm =
possible TO advise a substantial modfi-
cation Of the terms Of the proclama-
ton, regarded as necessary to assure
civil order and peace within Dominican
territory, the maintenance Of its credit
and the discharge of its obligations.
with the exception of the activities
OF some small scattered bands of high
waynen in the extreme eastern part Of
the Dominican territory. where ban
ditry has been chronic for genera
ton, there has been for several Years
such peace and order as is without
precedent in the modern history of the
country Under the direction OF the
mllitary government the towns have
been made clean, their streets have
been paved, the harbors and docks have
been improved and schools have been
widely established. 1t may be esti-
mated that there are four or five times
as many scholars at present as there
were oetore the American regime.
Revolutions Made Easy
The most important work inaug
urated under the American occnna-
tlon, however, has not been completed
20 wit: A road from the north to the
south of the country. The country was
almost roadless, prior 10 the American
administration. Its poverty, its sparse
population and its frequent revolutions
may be attributed in great part to the
utter lack Of communication between
the interior and the coast and be-
tween the northern and southern parts
OF the republic.
"lhe ambitious perhaps too ambi-
tious-program of public works was
undertaken by the then military gov
eflor at time when in Santo Domin-
90, as in other countries about the
Caribbean basin exporting similar
products, there was great trade boom
ana increase in revenues. Since the
collapse IN values and the depression
OF trade the revenues have suffered
grleVously. 1t was recently found nee
essary to issue a short term loan TO
continue necessary public works. This
loan Is additional to prior short term
loan made to satisfy the claims against
the Domlnlcan government incurred in
vloiat on OF the convention Of 1907 with
the United States. The terms of these
two loans, including the provision for
their amortization, are unusual and
crushing. they exhaust SO large a part
OF the revenues Of the republic as to
cripple its ordinary administration.
New Loan Recommended
III it be practicable to do so, the
members of the committee believe that
new loan should be made. TO fund
the two loans last mentioned, to secure
the sums necessary to finish the high
way from the north to the south and
to enable the government to do the
work necessary to permit the compile
tlon of good road from Seibo and
San Pedro de Macoris through Santo
Domingo to the frontier These roads
will afford regular easy and economic
means Of communication and commerce
hitherto not in existence, and will act
as SO effective and obvious a deterrent
to revolution that they will enable q
dominican government to give such
guarantees OF stability and order as
may we'll justify the government of the
United States in agreeing to modi-
fication OF the terms set forth in the
proclamation of last June.
1T may be noted, too, that at this
time of derresslon, when all classes
Of the population, merchants no less
than planters and laborers, are suffer
inN, the employment which would re
suit from q loan would afford relief
much to be desired. In this connection
it may properly be suggested that as
part of any agreement between the
Dominican Republic and the United
States it would contribute very greatly
to the prosperity and order of the
Dominican people. as we'll as to the
maintenance of the trad tional good
relations between them and the United
States, to accord to the Dominican
Republic the same tariff conditions as
those which are accorded to the Repub
lie OF Cuba"
The committee has not concluded its
hearings or the Dominican Republic.