Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-12
NATIONS WILL HONOR
MACHADO AT INAUGURAL
President of Cuba Is Faced By Two Big
Problems, of Interest to U. S., As
He Begins New Term. =

enemy Of imperialism than a the United
States, 1t is very possible that Cuba
might find herself deprived Of her lib
erty Fortunately, this agreement was
made with the United States. . nation
which makes respect for small nations
one of the fundamental points OF its
international policy. and, due to this
fact, Cuba has as yet suffered no harm
full effects from the Plat amendment.
In 26 years. as a Cuban writer points
out, there cannot be found one instance
Of violence or oppression on the part
of the United States against Cuba. The
military Intervention of 1905 was
sought by the Cuban government, and
after an administration of Cancellation.
the troops were withdrawn and the
management Of national affairs was
given back into the hands of Cubans.
The United States has never shown any
desire to intervene in the internal
affairs of Cuba, but has respected the
sovereignty of the island, refusing to
exercise any Jurisdiction over it.
However and herein according to the
Cubans. lies the danger the United
States could at any time jeopardize the
political autonomy of Cuba, by taking
advantage of the provisions of the Plat
amendment. Although the United
States never has taken. and assuredly
will not take in the future, any ad-
vantage Of the Plat amendment to COM
nit any act that would imperl the
sovereignty Of Cuba yet the mere fact
that 1t has In its hands such a formid-
able weapon is held humiliating by
Cuba. The mere moral aspect Of this
pact Is q problem for Cuba. Hence,
from the first days of his term as presi-
dent Gen. Machado, although he Is
Staunch friend of the United States,
has advocated the abolition Of the
Plat amendment, and now that he Is to
begin his second term he undoubtedly
will renew his VOWS to bring this stu
alton to what he regards normal basis.
Question Of Sugar Duties.
The other important problem of Cuba
with respect to the United States II an
economic one, and for that reason still
more serious. This problem Is the men
ace to the economic system OF Cuba
inherent in the proposed increase OF
duties on Cuban sugar imported into
this country NumberleSS American
statesmen and much of the press have
protested against the plan, but beet-sugar
growers of the West are asking Con-
gresS for another increase in duties,
and this Is allowed in the tariff bill
just reported out. It Is argued by
IEICIlOS VI SuDh bildL I1lC 1dSb 1CNos
in the sugar tariff diminished the for
eign trade of the United States with
Cuba, and In no way bettered the still
alton of those who expected to benefrt
by the raising of the price Of foreign
sugar-the very ones now asking an
other increase. Sugar, the principal
product of Cuba, rules the economic
life of the island. Upon the prosperity
Of the sugar industry depends the gen.
eral welfare of Cuba. And it is argued
the United States has q deep economic
interest in preserving this prosperity
and welfare, for these are reflected in
larger purchases of American goods
On the other hand, II the resources OF
Cuba are diminished when duties on
her products are increased, If an eco
nomic crisis is thus brought upon her.
the CubanS necessarily will have to
decrease the amount of their purchases
in the United States. Prom 1924, when
the duty on sugar was increased the
last time, the foreign trade Of the
United States with Cuba has steadily
decreased. From q total Of $l99, 778, 900
in 1924 it fell to $127, $50, 900 in 1928.
loss Of IS percent. It is argued by
opponents of the tariff increase that the
export trade of the United States is
sure to suffer by reducing the purchas-
ing power Of Cuba And Cuba buys
more from the United States than any
OF the Latin American nations.