Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-13
i. S. INTERVENTION
EXPECTED IN CUBA
Government May Throw
Weight to Either Side, So
Long as 1t Is Winning.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Revolution in Cuba is not the same
for the washington Government as up
risings IN any Of the other Latin
American countries, for there is always
the real possibility of active American
intervention in Cuba under the terms
of the famous Platt Amendment. !
In every resolution thus far in Gen.
trail and South America, whenever the
United States has landed its forces it
has been done to protect life and prop
eTty of foreign citizens.
Should the present disturbance In
Cuba reach major proportions, the
United States has the right by treaty
to pacify the country by force. Usually
the threat of intervention is sufficient
to uuell any thought of extensive mill
tary operations on the part Of Cuban
factions
Has Helped Machado.
The American Government has been
lending its moral support to President
Maclnado not so much because 1t APP
proved of his policies or his acts but
because of a belief that the alternative
might be much worse, especially II
revolution were permitted TO be sue
cessful 1t is an open secret that the
Machado government would have been
overthrow long ago but for the fact
the United States has been definitely
behind him.
Latest dispatches indicate the pent-
up revolutionary spirit finally has ac-
quired a leader in former President
Menocal. and there Is no doubt here
that II he wishes, he would be accord
ed recognition at once. though, OF
course, no steps will be taken that could
possibly be construed as weakening the
American Governments interests in the
Machado regime.
Billion Dollars Invested.
More than a billion dollars of Ameri-
can investors money Is tied up in
Cuba and it Is not regarded as prob
able that Washington would allow the
revolutionary operations to extend to
such a point as to disrupt the trade or
business Of Cuba 1t is an anxious time
for the State Department because 1t
cannot remain neutral as between the
factions without giving the impression
It does not support President Machado.
Nor can military support be given
the Machado administration without
intensifying the bitterness of those
groups who feel Machado has been
dictator too long and his elimination
is a prerequisite to peace. He has
ruled Cuba with an iron hand, execut-
ing his enemies and applying rigid
censorship as well as n1aIJidI law pub
gradually the unemployment and
economic distress, which have fomented
most of the revolutions south of the
United States during the past two
years, have been getting the better OF
President Machado.
Foreigners Believed Safe.
With the American Navy able to pro-
coed TO Cuban waters quickly and with
plenty OF Marines available. there is
no fear for the safety Of foreigners.
The principal danger is that the eco
nomic situation in Cuba may grow
worse and thus have a repercussion on
the vast holdings of American citizens,
which can only add to the general
financial difficulties of America.
The open fighting and skirmishing
are taken to mean the rebels have been
planning for some time to strike at
Machado and are counting on disaf-
lection within the Machado ranks as
their principal source OF troops and sup
plies.
This is one of the reasons why 1t Is
not conceivable that the American Gov
eminent will allow the factions to get
very far and that, at the first sign oil
a decisive turn, the American Govern
ment will throw the full weight OF It's
force toward the group which shows
itself likely to gain the upper hand
This is an opportuniStic policy, but ~
is dictated by economic factors rather
than by diplomatic nicetieS
tCopyright. 1881