Evening star., 1921-03-27

which faces the new admin
tration is how to combat the
spread Of insidious propaganda aimed
at the United States government by
q little group OF dissatisfied politicians
in Santo Domingo whose efforts are
confined not merely to the island re-
pubic itself, but who are planting
seeds Of distrust throughout South and
Central America Those who are IA
miliar with the situation today in the
Rominican Republic and Haiti see a
significant meaning attached to the
visit Of Secretary OF the Navy DENLY.
1t is understood that the report of his
findings in those two countries will
influence to some extent the admin
istration's policy toward them in the
future.
this year appointed commission Of
representative Dominican citizens as
a first step toward restoring self
government to the republic certain
political faction saw its hopes for
party bad believed the United States
would withdraw its military forces
and He91e them free to gain control.
Their purpose was defeated by this
countrys declaration that military
control would remain until truly
representative form of government
was firmly established.
Since that time there has been
spread Of propaganda against the
United States an example OF which is
seen in the following article. pub
lished in leading newspaper of Santo
Tins OF American Occupation in Santo
Domingo-A Woman Devoured by a
Dog Of War (police dog) Belonging to
an American Officer"
The article reads: TN the Courier
of Port au Prince. among other
! things. are read: "A woman. having
gracously received in her home an
American officer who was on the mis-
sion OF pursuing Haitian patriots.
upon the request Of the officer. pre-
pared a dinner for him, supplying the
most beautiful chicken Of her flock.
Meanwhile, as the officer ate, he threw
bone Of tho chicken at a lady. which
was the signal for the dog to seize
and devour the unfortunate woman.
"'The husband was absent under
suspicion Of connfvanoe with the
enemy. The dog strangled the wom-
an and then tore her to pieces. The
officer then called her children to
still wrfthing.'"
While no one in the United States
would believe such a ridiculous story,
this article will be read on the street
corners Of the towns for weeks to
come. and believed absolutely true
because it appeared in the paper 1t
also will prove good material for
agitators for reading to the ignorant
A group of Dominican politicians
are now visiting the principal cities
80 3tv.rP fez
Of violence. cruelty and injustice by
the American occupational forces in
Santo Domingo. Although their tales
aro secuted by the better educated
classes. their seed falls on fruitful
ground among the ignorant who
lea Among those who have been re-
ported At various times from cities
in South America are Federico
HenriQueE. brother of tho express
dent Of Santo Domingo. and Tulio
Cestero, a Dominican propagandist.
Ex-President Henriquez and Cestero
were in Washington last summer.
While those spreading propaganda
against this country may work real
evil, they constitute a small minority
public. who. for the most part, realize
the advantages OF the American oc-
cupation, which have been many.
Tho majority OF Dominicans welcome
tho peace which has followed mill
tary rule and want this peace as
sured by America until their own
government Is strong enough to stand
alone.
President Harding. In accepting an
invitation to be present at the un-
yelling ceremonies of the statue OF
Bolivar In New York April IS, has
chosen q metropolitan audience to