The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-04
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
ScrlnpS- Howard Fnreirn Editnr

l
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.-With the
action of the Cuban congress sus-
pending civil rights, the United
States is brought face to face with
yet another grave and complex
problem in its already complicated
relations with the countries of the
Caribbean.
With the eyes of the other nine
teen republics of Latina America in
tently fixed on Washington, watch
ing its every move, or its failure to
move, the state department admit
tedly is anxious,
Intervention in Cuba, in event of
serious disorders. would arouse still
another storm, from Tia Juana to
Punta Arenas.
Failure to take a hand to restore
the civil liberties of the Cuban
masses, as guaranteed by treaty,
likewise will provoke widespread
criticism.
Charged too CompIacent
Cuban exiles in this country al
ready charge the United States has
been too complacent. DR.. Domingo
Tamargo, wealthy member of the
Cubanbar and authority on co1sti-
tutional law, asserts President Ma
chado brought about his re-elect-
ton sin clear violation of the Con-
stitution, by Scrapping the Crowder
ELECTORAL code and in complete de-
! fiance of the Subsisting treaty with
the United States"
Citing cases, DR.. Tamargo declared
that long before now, free speech,
free press and the right of assembly
were denied the Cuban people
9TH Cuban people can not by
peaceful and orderly processes hope
to restore constitutional and decent
government in their country" he
said.
"They can not resort to revolu-
ton because this will bring the in
tervention of the United States, a
condition which the CubanS greatly
fear in view of the fact that the
United States, through its embassy
in Havana, has appeared to support
the Machado regime with all its
tyranny and oppression"
Drafted by CrOwder
The Crowder electoral code to
which Tamargo refers was enacted
by the Cuban congress in 1919. 1t
largely was drafted by General
Enoch H. Crowder at the request
of the two leading parties of the
island to insure an effective party
system and honest elections.
It contains provisions to prevent
cliqueS from delivering" the po-
litical parties en- masSe, through
usurpation of power. A candidate,
for example, may not run on two
tickets, and nominations shall be
made in a manner somewhat like
that obtaining in this country.
| President Machado's opponents
charge him with violating all these
provisions and since, his reelection,
with having used the army to pre-
vent the holding of political meet
ings against him.
Charge U. S. to Blame
The United States, CubanS charge,
largely is responsible LOT LneSe VlO-
lations. The Platt amendment to
the Cuban constitution, forced up
on the people of the island against
their will, they assert, and subse-
quently put into treaty form, makes
it the duty of Washington to safe
guard life, property and individual
liberty of the inhabitants, and a
warning to the Cuban president,
given in time, might have been the
stitch to prevent the present threat
ened wholesale disintegration.
The attitude of Washington today
is one Of the extreme reluctance,
more so. perhaps. than has been the
case in the past. This is partly
due to the fact that a burnt child
breads another scorching.
What red flag is to bull, inter
vention in any part Of Latin-Amer-
lea is TO the rest of that region, and
the Nicaraguan adventure. to men
ton only the latest, did not. to say
the Mast, make Uncle Sam any more
popular with bis neighhors,