Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1923-03-29
DR.. William Gates, of Gull
pepper, Head Arch
aeology Museum
GREAT EXPLORER
Withdrawal of Troops
From Dominican Re-
public Not Likely Soon
Sugar to go Down.
(By Isaac Gregg

(By isaac UreHSJ
Washington, March 29.-Dr.
William Gates, whose home is at
Culpeper, Va, and who has been
associated with several of the eX-
peditions sent by the Carnegie In
stitution Of Washington to Cen
trail America to study the ruins
of the ancient Mayan cities and
to unearth as much as possible
of this ancient Indian civilization
has been appointed Director of
the Museum of Archaeology
which is to be established in
Guatemala City. Announcement
to this effect was made at the
Guatemalan Legation today.
DR.. Gates recently attracted
considerable attention by bring
ing to the United States a young
Guatemalan who is a lineal des-
cendant of one of the ancient Ma
ven rulers. He had this Indian
talk into a recording machine in
order to make a study CT the
language used by the Mayas, and
in this way an effort is being
made to preserve and restore as
much as possible Of the history
OF this highly civilized race which
inhabited portions of Central
America. mostly in Guatemala |
and Honduras and Yucatan and
some other part of southern Mex
leo and who have left ruins of
scme marvellous castles and other
buildings.
Exhibits which are to be placed
in the Gnatemalan Museum of
Archaeology alresdy are being
collected. and will be arranged
after the arrival in Guatemala /
City Of DR.. Gates, who will start
for Guatemala shortly.
The final withdrawal of the
American forces of occupation
from the Dominican Republic ap-
parently is still some months I'M
the future, although it was
thought last year when the Uni
ted States issued its proclama-
tion announcing the steps to be
taken leading to withdrawal that
it would have been effected by
this time.
In spite of the fact that pro-
visional government has been set
up in the Dominican Republic
and has now been in operation
some months, considerable
amount Of work remains to be
done before the permanent con-
stitutional government on which
the United States insists is in
stalled and firmly in the saddle.
The present delay which is
checking the establishment of the
regular government is due, ac-
cording to advi cS which have
been received here. to differ
enceS of opinion in the Island re-
public over the electoral law
which has been adopted by the
provisional government but
which has not met with the ap-
proval Of all political factions.
This is preventing the holding of
the congressional elections which
it had been thought. could be run
off next month. Now there is
doubt. it is said, as TO whether
this will be possible. An effort
will be made. it is understood, to
change the electoral law. which
has not yet been proclaimed, in
order that it may meet with gem
eral approval.
1t is claimed by those opposed
to the law that it is too compliea-
ted for use in the Dominican Re
public and that many of the peo-
pie there would not understand 1t.
Sumner Wells, former chief of
the Latin-American Division OF
the State Department and who
last summer was appointed COM
missioner to the Dominican Re
pebble, will start back for SantC
Domingo in few days. it is un-
derstood and it is believed that
his return will help 10 smooth out
some of the differences which
have arisen during the past few
months and which are delaying
withdrawal of the United States
troops from the I.atin-Repubtc
While there IS no immediste eS
pectation that the various inyes'
tigstions Of the sugar Situa&or
being conduted by four govern