It was agreed that we should put a man in as head of the custom-houses, that the collection of customs should be entirely under the management of that man, and that no one should be allowed to interfere with the custom-houses.  Revolutions could go on outside them without interference from us; but the custom-houses were not to be touched.  We agreed to turn over to the San Domingo Government forty-five per cent. of the revenue, keeping fifty-five per cent. as a fund to be applied to a settlement with the creditors.  The creditors also acquiesced in what we had done, and we started the new arrangement.  I found considerable difficulty in getting the United States Senate to ratify the treaty, but I went ahead anyhow and executed it until it was ratified.  Finally it was ratified, for the opposition was a purely factious opposition, representing the smallest kind of politics with a leaven of even baser motive.  Under the treaty we have turned over to the San Domingo Government forty-five per cent. of the revenues collected, and yet we have turned over nearly double as much as they ever got when they collected it all themselves.  In addition, we have collected sufficient to make it certain that the creditors will receive every cent to which they are entitled.  It is self-evident, therefore, that in this affair we gave a proof of our good faith.  We might have taken possession of San Domingo.  Instead of thus taking possession, we put into the custom-houses one head man and half a dozen assistants, to see that the revenues were honestly collected, and at the same time served notice that they should not be forcibly taken away; and the result has been an extraordinary growth of the tranquillity and prosperity of the islands, while at the same time the creditors are equally satisfied, and all danger of outside interference has ceased.

That incident illustrates two things:  First, if a nation acts in good faith, it can often bring about peace without abridging the liberties of another nation.  Second, our experience emphasizes the fact (which every Peace Association should remember) that the hysterical sentimentalist for peace is a mighty poor person to follow.  I was actually assailed, right and left, by the more extreme members of the peace propaganda in the United States for what I did in San Domingo; most of the other professional peace advocates took no interest in the matter, or were tepidly hostile; however, I went straight ahead and did the job.  The ultra-peace people attacked me on the ground that I had “declared war” against San Domingo, the “war” taking the shape of the one man put in charge of the custom-houses!  This will seem to you incredible, but I am giving you an absolutely accurate account of what occurred.  I disregarded those foolish people, as I shall always disregard sentimentalists of that type when they are guilty of folly.  At the present we have comparative peace and prosperity in the island, in consequence of my action, and of my disregard of these self-styled advocates of peace.