South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-12
HARDING OPPOSED TO
CUBAN INTERVENTIO'
President Not in Favor of
United States Interven-
ing Into Affairs.

WASHINGTON, June 11.-Wheth-
er Cuba will be able TO bring about
the economic and financial readjust-
ment Of which she stands in need
without the Intervention of the Unit
ed States Is question which is COM
handing the attention just now not
only of the Harding administration
but OF large American business and
financial interests as well.
Under the existing treaty between
the United States and Cuba, and es-
pecially under the famous Platt
amendment TO that treaty, it is the
duty as well as the privilege Of the
American government TO interpose
whenever it appears that the Cubans
are not conducting their affairs prop
erly. and not even the most patriotic
among the CubanS themselves cues
tions that right, at least theoretical
ly. Indeed, I'm some disgruntled
quarters in Cuba it has been asserted
that Intervention has existed since
Maj. Gen. Enoch II. Crowder went
to Havana more than year ago as
the personal representative Of the
president. While this view is un-
doubtedly extreme, it cannot be de-
MED that Cen Crowder has several
times opposed his opinions 10 those
Of a majority of the Cuban govern
ment. and that MS view has gener-
ally prevailed.
Pres't Harding is personally on
posed 10 any kind of intervention.
he has made this fact plain in a
number of statements from the white
house, the most recent of which was
TO the effect that the president had
heard nothing Of any proposed in
tervention of any kind for Cuba
Certain it is that if the administra-
ton resons to so-called financial in
terventon as last recourse, it will
be only after every other means at
its disposal has been exhausted.
Must Effect Economies.
Nevertheless. officials of the ad-
ministration who are watching the
Cuban situation most closely make
no secret of the fact that il presents
some very serious phases. Despite
the progress that has been made by
the Zayas administration in it's eff
forts TO eliminate graft and waste,
Cuban expenditures now exceed
Cuban revenues, and still greater
economies must be effected if the
budget is TO be balanced. No one is
more acutely aware Of the truth Of
this fact than Pres't Zayas himself.
who throughout the Cuban crisis has
shown every disposition to cooperate
in carrying out the suggestions made
by this government through Gen.
Crowder
The task confronting Pres't Zayas
has been a very difficult one, and no
one appreciates this fact more than
Pres't Harding and Sec'y of state
Hughes. Following his election to
office he was compelled TO deal with
a number of disputed elections which
for a time threatened to result in a
revolution. Even before the cleo
tiOns were held Cuba's economic and
financial conditions were extremely
serious. due largely to the slumping
OF the sugar market after the war
and the process of defiation following
a period Of extravaganza spending
both on the part Of the government
and Of individuals.
Despite the fact that conditions
are still far from satisfactory Dr.
Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. the
Cuban minister at Washington. takes
a very hopeful view Of the situation.
All that Cuba needs is a little
more time and the faith and coopera-
ton of her friends, he declares. IF
this Is forthcoming her financial re-
adjustment soon viii have been COM
pleted, her credit made secure and
her life as a free. happy. independ-
ent republic assured.
"Cuba's financial affairs are being
rea 1justed as rapidly as possible"
the minister continued The budget
l. being cut down 10 a point where
il now appears that there will be q
surplus from the ordinary revenues.
and it Ia quite probable that no loan
in addition 10 the small loan of five
millions negotiated several months
a go VIII be necessary"
The minister then drew attention
10 the fact that loan OF $4,000 .O0C
orisinally had been contemplated.
and pointed out that all political fac
tions in Cuba are united in their
Pres't Zayas.
support Of The economy program Of