Antithesis

The following is an extract from a statement handed by the Dominican Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the American Charge in the Dominican Republic in response to the American Froeign Policy Statement of July 16, 1937, advocating the maintenance of peace.

"The Dominican Government under the inspiration and direction of President Trujillo Molina, Illustrious statement demonstration of his love for the cause of justice and international order, has not weakened nor will it weaken at any time its co-operation to as many efforts as are realised, not only on the American continent but in any part of the world. . . . in favour of the maintenance and consolidation of peace, whose benefits extend to all people and whose conservation must be as a consequence, a common ideal of all nations.

". . . . is pleased to proclaim in view of the conflicts that agitate other continents and place in danger the tranquility of the world. Its decided and loyal adherence to the cause of peace, to the noble postulates of justice and law. . . ."

(International Conciliation, November, 1937)

Extract from Carleton Beal's Current History, January, 1938.

"Santo Domingo last October was the scene of the terrible Dajobon massacre when the Dominican Army and police brutally murdered some 5,000 peaceful Haltian setlers—tossing bables on bayonets, clubbing women to death and jabbing men with three-pronged daggers. An American witness wrote me of seeing truck after truck driping with blood and filled with mangled bodies pass in the direction of the shark infested seas.

"This frightful occurrence which has been fully verified is not entirely a surprise to those who have followed politics in Santo Domingo since Rafael Trujillo seized power eight years ago. His administration has been one long record of brutality and assassination.

"After the withdrawal of the U.S. marines be rose rapidly and became Commandant of the entire National Guard. In February, 1930, he used this Guard to set up a puppel Government, and held a typical bayonet election, in which he actually received more votes than there were registered voters.

"Trujillo represents an extension (beyond Berlin. Rome and Tokyo) of the Nazi putsch throughout the world. Specifically the Hitler regime has been casting its eyes on Santo Domingo as a possible friendly base near the Panama Canal and Trujillo has arranged for a preliminary land setlement of 40,000 Germans along the Haltian frontier.

"It happens that many of the Haltians recently massacred were squatters on this land."

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