Evening star., 1926-11-18
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

Cuba is sensitive and resents the
allusion Of Uruguay. made before the
League of Nations in speech by the
representative Of that South American
country, to the effect that Cuba Is not
an Independent sovereignty. So Cuba
breaks off diplomatic relations-or at
least orders her Minister to Uruguay
to take the noon steamer homeWard-
bound, the day after the insult" Be-
fore the steamer docks, Uruguay
apologies. and all Is well. But 1t was
Uncle Sam who occasioned that slur.
though without fault. Uruguay failed
to believe what we had said. !
Mexico has been writing notes to
Uncle Sam about certain claims of
American oil investors-writing notes
as RAPIDLY as in historic adminiStra-
tions-until the Silent President and
his man-of-action, Secretary of State
kellogg, demand deeds, not words"
in protecting the interests of Ameri-
cans. And so relations between Uncle
Sam and another nation Of the South
are Jared by Anglo-SaXon dlrectneSS
and sincerity.
Nicaragua elected a new President
last Sunday-although the former
Presidents term had not expired. The
new President is recognized" by the
| United States within 4S hours, because
| the election was strictly in accord
| with the Nicaraguan constitution. But
the successful party is the Conserva-
| tive, while Mexican Liberal filibusters
have been supplying men and arms
and ammunition to the defeated MIC
araguan Liberals. for the party in
power in Mexico is Liberal" and
\ L., xryitl hn do
posed Nicaraguan. And SO Uncle Sam
| has not added to his popularity
among the Liberal Mexicans, who
have sought retention of power uncon-
stitutionally attained. They did not
want to take the Constitution at its
word.
| 1t just seems to be one thing after
| another. to get "Uncle" in bad with his
Latin American neighbors. though he
means to be courteous and patient.
and helpful all the time-and sincere.
| X X X
| Now what are the facts in the case
| Of Cuba? Is it true that she Is not a
| free and independent nation, or has
| the Government Of the United States
held her as a vassal or under a pro-
tectorate, handicapping her legitimate
sovereignty?
|
| Swer:
In 1911, Hon. Adolfo Diaz-the same
man who was elected last Sunday
| President of Nicaragua-wa serving
in that same office. Negotiations were
pending between the United States and
| Nicaragua, similar to those consum-
mated in 1916, whereby we were to
pay large sum to Nicaragua for
perpetual treaty, giving us the exclu-
sive right to dig and maintain trans
isthmus canal. The treaty was signed
by President DiaZ, subject to ratifica-
| tion by the Assembly, and this Is what
the President said in his message to
the Assembly. indicating his faith in
| the good will and sincerity of the
United States:
1.-The word pledged by one nation to
another Is, or ought to be, sacred. The
assurance is given us by the Govern
ment Of the United States, as you will
read in the agreement, that the United
States are animated solely by a desire
to promote peace and the prosperous
development of all Central American
countries. This declaration ought to
satisfy US. but 1t Is not superf1uous to
add that certain actions performed by
that great Nation in its international
life are guarantees OF its promises.
AT the beginning Of the war with
Spain no one believed that the United
States would give Cuba the liberty and
independence promised to that coun-
try. In keeping that pledge, the act
of the United States Is unique in his
tory, for, as an indemnity for war. 1t
might have retained Cuba as a colony,
without a protest from any Of the
powers.
with admiration. we have beheld
1 the Pearl Of the Antilles, by virtue
OF promise faithfully kept by the
United States, take her place among
the free nations OF the earth, the
United States imposing upon her no
further influence than that Of in
suring her tranquility.
President Diaz referred also to our
similar good faith with Santo Do
n1ingo. giving the latter full inde-
pendence. Surely. with nations. as
| with individuals, "a good name is
better than precious ointment"
| y 4 + r
There is one key TO Americas pol
icie0 as to South and Central Amer
lean countries-and, indeed. az 10 ell
nations: We refuse to recognise any