Evening star., 1928-05-08
CLAIMS PROPOSAL
AROUSES CUBANS
Havana Newspaper De-
nounceS Shipstead ResoIu.
+ tion for Investigation.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Authentic reports reaching here de-
scribe Cuba as in state of high in
dignatton over the ShipStead resolution
now pending before the Senate foreign
relations committee, contemplating I'm
voStieation" OF certain affairs in that
country.
FL Bundo. the Havana newspaper of
large circulation and a strong sup
porter of President Machado's admin
iSGration. denounceS the ShipStead res
olution as "a slight to our sovereign
national dignity and a genuine attack
on our government" Reminding the
Cuban people that Nicaragua is ex-
ample enough" FL Mundo calls bitterly
for the rejection of Senator Shipstead's
proposal. lest our country find itself
under the hated political domination
Of Washington. state of affairs which
must not under any circumstances be
permitted to obtain"
Seeks Claims Inquiry.
The resolution of the Farmer-Labor
Senator from Minnesota was introduced
mainly for the purpose of looking into
charges preferred by J. E. Barlow, a
longtime American resident of Cuba
Mr.. Barlow claims, in effect, that he
has been 6iSpoSsesSed Of property
valued at sum between S5.000.O0
ltl1I
he has been denied legal redress in
Cuba because his prosecutors. being
members of the Cuban Congress, are
immune under the laws of the coun-
try. Mr. Barlow yesterday was given
an opportunity to present his case be-
fore a foreign relations subcommittee,
consisting Of Senator's Shipstead
tchairmanl. Reed of Pennsylvania.
Edge of New Jersey, Bayard of Della
ware and George of Georgia. Next
week the subcommittee will hear Mr.
Rarlow's counsel.
e. S. Can Intervene.
Cuba is apparently unduly upset over
the ShipStead project. in so far, at leas1,
&c any present intentions are concerned.
The Minnesota Senator takes the posi-
ton that the United States Government
has certain rights and responsibilities in
Cuba under the Platt amendment. 1t
Is evidently his desire to ascertain TO
what extent Mr.. Barlow, or any other
American citizens, are being despoiled
Of their rights within the meaning of
the amendment. One clause of the
amendment sets forth that the Cuban
government consents that the Unied
States may exercise the right to inter-
vene for the preservation of Cuban in
dependence and to maintain q govern
naent capable of protecting life, prop
erty and individual liberty . :"
Ever since political disturbances oc-
casioned intervention by the United
States in Cuba in l906--resulting in the
presence of American soldiers on the
island for nearly three years-the
Cubans have been extremely sensitive
about anything remotely suggesting an
other invasion by Uncle Sam. Thus El
Mundo asserts that the Shipstead Teso-
luton entails the very evident danger
Of causing change in relations be-
tween the two countries" 1t adds that
"tl1e properties and rights of American
citizens residing in Cuba are fully with
In the jurisdiction Of our laws and
under their protection. Under no cir
cumstances can we allow the American
Senate, whose policy during the last
two years has not been sympathetic to
Latin America, 70 interfere"
Unless Mr.. Barlow and his counsel
can make out better case before the
foreign relations subcommittee than
they have submitted In the past to
the State Department. there Is small
likelihood. this writer Is informed. that