Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-12
BY CASTOR NERVAL.


will gather in Havana on
IL May 20 to attend the Inaugural
ton of Gen. Gerardo Machado
as President of Cuba. Reelected by an
overwhelming majority last November.
Gen. Machado will take up the duties
Of chief magistrate for second term
Of four years
Last year the Cuban Congress spent
several months devising a way to keep
President Machado IN Office after the
expiration of his present term on
May 20. The CubanS generally ap-
parently were satisfied with the
Machado regime. But the constitution
was explicit as to presidential tenure
reelection being barred. No president
during his term of Office could be NOM
mated for a second term. Therefore
the only way was to amend the con-
stitution.
Two forms were proposed for this
amendment-one authorizing the ex-
tension of his present term for two
years, the other permitting reelection.
The latter method was adopted, and in
November last the Cuban people went
to the polls and reelected President
Machado by a large majority. Thus,
at the cost of changing the constitu-
ton, Gen. Machado has been retained,
at a momentous hour for Cuba.
An Interesting Period.
The island republic is at present
passing through one Of the most in
teresting periods of her history. Dur
ing her quarter of century of indie
pendence Cuba has won a conspicuous
position among the Latin American
nations. She holds this not merely on
account of the enormous totals of her
foreign trade and the Importance Of
her position as the greatest sugar.
producing nation Of the world, but on
account of the high cultural and in
tellectual position held by her people.
Cuba, with but 44,2O0 square miles Of
territory more or less the area of
Pennsylvania and three million in
habitantS (about the population OF
Chicago) has come to be q parsonage
in the concert of nations, and has
voice and vote In the principal inter-
national conclaveS, where she has a
seat beside the great European powers
and the United States.
To this country Cuba has . peculiar
importance, due to economic relations.
For many years Cuba has been recog-
nized as the best market in this hemi-
sphere for American products, with the
sole exception Of Canada. CubaS trade
with the United States during the past
year reached q total of $421 ,088 900. In
1925 Cuba imported from the United
States goods to the value of $3.50 ,052 600,
while from Great Britain, which holds
second place in Cuban trade. she i'm
ported to the value of but $12,474 ,0OO:
| from France, $l1 1878 900, and from
Spain, $ll,5l6,0O0. This apparent mo-
nopoly held by the United States in
L., lott bxrf ha
graphic proximity and political bonds
of the two nations and the fact that
the United States Is large exporter
of all the goods which Cuba buys. AL
though Cuba's trade with France, Spain
Mexico and Canada has grown enor-
mously in recent years, the United
States predominates in the Cuban
market.
Export Trade With U. 8.
! As for Cuban exports, the position OF
the United States still is stronger. due
| to the fact that almost the total sugar
production of Cuba is shipped to the
United States. And since sugar, the
principal product of the island, rules its
economic life, almost the entire export
trade of Cuba Is with the United States
the largest sugar consumer In the world.
The United States also consumes large
! amounts of tobacco, tropical fruits,
early vegetables and molaSSeS, all pro-
duced by Cuba III great quantities. In
1926 the United States imports from
Cuba totaled $242 1872 900.
Lastly, United States investments in
Cuba reach the enormous total of
81 $50 ,OOO, 900 and represent IS per cent
of the total of foreign capital invested
in the island and almost the equivalent
OF the total of United States invest
mentS in all other Latin American ma
tons, excepting only Mexico.
On beginning his second presidential
term Gen. Machado finds Cuba facing
two serious problems, one political
question and one economic. Both in
volve relations with the United States.
to which Cuba has been closely bound
since the first days of her independence.
Political Problem.
The political problem is that Of the
so-called PLAT amendmentS' which, to
certain extent, limits Cuba's liberty OF
action In international matters. When
the island won independence from
Spain, thanks to her own valor and aid
of the United States, Cuba accepted,
with the granting of her sovereignty as
republic the provisions of q treaty
amendment proposed in the United
0tdpCS OCAAdVC ny SCIldtOI OAN4I1C n.
Platt, among which provisions We ind
the following: Cuba shall conclude no
agreement which impairs its independ-
ence, or concede territory or juriSdic-
ton to other powers in its territory;
Cuba shall contract no debts without
voting the funds to pay them; Cuba
consents to Intervention by the United
States to guarantee the lives and prop
cry of its inhabitants; Cuba shall
cede to the United States fixed mari
time zones as coaling stations; and
other provision of minor importance.
What CubanS Claim.
Much has been said and written as to
the effect Of the Plat amendment on
the sovereignty of Cuba. 1t is claimed
by CubanS that a covenant of this ma
ture ordinarily would be dangerous TO
he independence of Cuba. 1t Is asserted
that had such an agreement been made
with some other power, less jealous of
its international prestige, and less an
ment, the British nation has been
"stlng" In respect Of the war debts and
German reparationS, and the Conserv-