The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-06-27
UNITED STATES TO WITHDRAW
FROM SANTO DOMINGO

Announcement is made through
the American State Department
that the American marines are to
be withdrawn from SantO Domingo
on July !.
At that time the republic OF San
20 Domingo will be turned over to
rely upon her own strength for ex-
islence. The United States has
been occupying Santo Domingo for
a few years in order to stop muir
der and to enforce the laws. The
United States has done this with
marines. The marines as rule
are young men who are quick to
think and quick to act. The Amer
lean marines have worked under
strict instructions in regard to
their conduct
In one paragraph Of Gen. Lees
Instructions We find these words
Never start disturbance with
the Dominicans. Ii you want to
fight put on the gloves and start
training for the next boxing meet;
you will meet any number of men
right here in your own camp who
will give you more exciting scrap
than Dominicans will. and you can
win a boxing belt instead of bread
and water Carefully avoid any
kind of trouble Don't start an
argument with a Dominican be-
cause you don't like the way he
looks at you. Avoid trouble with
them"
The general said further: RE
member we are not conducting the
affairs of the Dominican republic.
hut the Dominican people are on
trial in conducting their own af-
fairs, and let us stand off and
maintain the attitude of dignity
and courtesy that the commanding
general asks of us. In conclusion
let's recall that one point we dis
cussed in the beginning that our
conduct here is our cOuntry's con-
duct"
Under the American rule special
attention has been given to the
matter of education. Day schools
have been established over all Of
the republic, even in the rural dis
tricts, and the children of SantO
Domingo are attending.
The department of education has
been established; it has for several
years been striving to put an end 20
illiteracy in the Dominican re-
public. The Americans have been
building good roads and there is a
good road entirely across the re-
public north to south.
Many good bridges have been
constructed. Nearly all the expen-
ses have been borne by the govern
ment of the United States. Those
who are most familiar with the
situation believe that with the
building of good roads, riots and
revolutions in the Dominican re-
public will come to an end.
The American people hope that
Santo Domingo may have peace.
The island is rich although it is
not half the size of the state of
Iowa. 1t produces cotton. all kinds
| of fruits, sugar and tobacco.
Santo Domingo and Haiti were
once one country. The French oc-
cupied Haiti and the Spaniards oc-
cupied Santo Domingo. This island
was discovered by Columbus on his
first voyage. The Spaniards so
brutally treated the Haitians that
the island had to be repopulated
by the purchase of slaves imported
| from Africa.
Haiti and Santo Domingo have
been left to chance and the work of
France and Spain. America has
had charge Of San Domingo since
July. 1916. Haiti at one time con-
trolled Santo Domingo and the
greatest fear in Santo Domingo is
that Haiti may take control again,
but the United States is in control
of Haiti and will not withdraw at
present. Santo Domingo now has a
good president, good cabinet, good
congress and her debt is practic-
ally paid off.-Des Moines Capital.