The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-09
Our Dutv to the Cuban People


A little than thirty years ago Cuba the
Pearl of the Antilles" was being bled white by her
tyrannical Spanish overload
Without any voice in their government taxed out
of everything they made, clapped into a political
prison if they complained the ragged. poverty
stricken people had no other recourse than to reyo-
luton and when they attempted that the island tor
years ran red with blood shed in unequal strife.
At last VIC interviewed and set Cuba tree. Alter
bringing peace to the island, draining of the sWampS
constructing sewers, building roads, banshng yelo"
fever and helping the Cubans set up republic OF
their own, gave them their independence with our
blessing.
Today. according to long list OF distinguished
Cubans their country once more is IN the grip OF
regime as tyrannca as was SPANS
The present government of Cuba. We are told IS
8 dictatorship Representative government has dis
appeared. Once again the people have no voice IN
their affairs. because only one name appears on the
election ticket and they must vote that way or
not at all.
UnconstitutlonaIy they claim, the present officials
are remaining in Office and unconsttutionally their
terms OF Office have been prolonged-the president
extending his from four to SIX years.
One OF the presidents own official family. his sec
rotary OF war eshhes that he was given tventy-tour
hours IN which to leave the country after he had
the temerity to suggest running for the presidency
against the incumbent.
Certainly the United States has no desire to inter-
vene in Cuba's affairs, This goes particularly for
armed intervention But, after all the United States
does owe 1t to the Cuban people not to force them
to go on forever submitting to the present regime
If it is as sinister as described.
The United States morally is bound to do one OF
two things: Either bring diplomatic pressure to bear
eminent so that the people can express themselves
at the polls else keep hands of altogether and let
the present growing unrest take its course.
Most assuredly we have no right to stand by now
and permit abuses to continue indefinitely under our
very noses then send an armed expedition to Cuba
to put down revolution, which by the very nature
of things always grows out Of such situations
Besides. if the picture is as black it is painted
We are at least halfway responsible for it The re-
public of Cuba is now and always has been, under
American tutelage. We are morally and legally her
sponsor.
We are pledged to maintain her independence and
what is Just important bound to insist that
a government be maintained at Havana capable OF
protecting life, property and individual liberty"
Large numbers of Cubans today insist that the
present regime is not living up to any such definition
They are protesting every way they know against
the ABUSES among the SlSHeIS OF IeCeHC ldI44eolo
against the alleged usurpations of power DR.. Cos
mo De La Torriente, former ambassador to Washing
ton and president of the assembly of the League OF
Nations man respected around the world for his
ideals and for the high quality of his mind And with
him signed many others of similar renown.
Where there is so much smoke there must be
some fire. 1t is the duty of the United States to in
vestigate. Better diplomatic move than mill
tary one later We should not forget that, after
ALL our prestige is tied up in Cuba as is nowhere
else in the Latin American world.