Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-09
Ambassador CroWder's Mission
(BoStOn TranScript)

tfoOSlOu lIdHSCIlpl)
Ambassador Crowder comes up
| from Havana to President Coolidge
and Secretary Hughes to explain the
backsliding of the Cuban Govern
ment In the matter OF promised
| reforms and to explain as we'll the
| defiant resolution of the Cuban Con-
| gress after passing, almost I'M
| animously, an iniquitous lottery bill.
! The reforms were promised in con-
| nection with a loan of s50.000,000 by
American bankers, and were design
ed solely for the salvation of Cuba
after wastrel years of bad admins
| tration and demoralizing prosperity
had ended in a sudden descent to
hard times.
The United States wishes 70 OBJ
serve in its dealings with Cuba all
the diplomatic propreties-that is
part of the game. But our duty to
Cuba is plain In certain matters.
The Plat amendment reads
That the Government of Cuba
consents that the United States
may exercise the right to inter-
vene for the protection of Cuban
independence, the maintenance
of a Government adequate for
the protection of life, property
and individual liberty and for
discharging the obligations with
respect to Cuba imposed by the
treaty of Paris on the United
States. now to be assumed and
undertaken by the Government
of Cuba.
This amendment has never been
construed in narrow or petty light,
| and Cubans have had free hand to
| work out their own problems.
In 1919. General Crowder, who had
previously served as Secretary Of
State and Justice for Cuba from
1906 to 1908, drafted at the formal
request of the insular government a
new electoral law and set in motion
| a new census to provide fresh vot-
ing lists. In the election of Nov !.
| 1920, many provisions of this law
were ruthlessly shattered and the
election of Alfredo Zayas to the
| presidency was secured after in
| timidation and fraud had been
| practised in many parts OF the is
land The death of Gomez, the de-
| feated candidate, solved many diff
cultes.
The United States did not inter-
| fere in tins election but it found
means carefully to observe what took
| place at the polls as we'll as the
! events in the months before and
after election day. On Jan. 8. 1921.
| General Crowder was sent to Cuba
! as the personal representative of
! President Wilson and was continued
| in this capacity of personal rep
! rcsentative by President Harding.
Later he was appointed as the first
ambassador of the United States to
| Cuba. The calling Of General
/ rrOu-Ior 10 No Shir0 n
ence should direct the whitening
| search-lisht of publicity upon the
| recent course of events in Cuba. 1t
! is significant that the Cuban Con-
! greSs should issue their declaration
of independence against our criticism
, and intermcddling after triumphant
! ~ passing a graft measure. The
| abuses made possible by the I'M
| earned in"rcmentS of the lottery are
! familiar to all persons who know
cuba. The question whether or not
| a lottery should be permitted is not
| involved. The real question is
whether several millions of dollars
| year. arising from the premium on
| lottery tickets, should be distributed
to politicians.
The American people, while well
coming light on this and other
! questions concerning Cuba. have en-
| tire faith in the ability and disinter-
ested intentions of the present am
| bassador to Havana. We anXiouSly
| await a political evolution in Cuba
which will insure to our friends
across the Straits of Florida life.
| liberty and the pursuit of happiness
as these terms are interpreted to-
| day in the practical ethics of civili-
| ZatiOn.