Evening star., 1933-05-06
Welles Called Ideal Choice
For Big Job Cuba Presents

Citizens of the United States recog-
nize the requirements of the Platt
amendment, which authorizes the
United States to intervene in Cuba, "for
the maintenance of a government ade-
quate for the protection of life, prop
erty and individual liberty" but argu-
ments show that such intervention
would be unwelcome to this country
In the circumstances, the selection of
Sumner Welles, Assistant Secretary of
State, as envoy to the island republic
receives much approval He is believed
especially qualified to establish good
relations with Latin America.
AS Ambassador to Cuba" thinks the
New York Times, "the ability and met
tie Of the young diplomat will be Sc
verely tested. His task will be medi-
ating between President Machado and
an opposition that threatens another
revolt Perhaps this can be done in
part by aiding to right an economic
condition that verges on disaster. Mr.
Welles. by the way, was one of Gen.
Crowder's assistants when he was seek
ing to liberatize Cuban election laws
His appointment to deal with the COM
plicated situation in Cuba is as prom
The selection of Mr.. Welles Is viewed
by the Nashville Banner as unusually
happy" and that paper remarks that
those who know him best are conf
dent that his suavity and cool judg-
ment and extensive personal knowledge
OF conditions in Latin America will
prove highly advantageous to the
United States in its efforts to perform
a neighborly service to the restless re-
public close to our shores" The Ban
ner concludes that 1.-The United States
should not intervene in the affairs of
any peoples to the southwark except in
understanding by the Latin American
countries"
we have responsibility toward
that country" in the judgment of the
Lincoln State Journal, which cannot
be shirked. If Mr.. Welles Is masterful
enough, he may be able to save his
country q great deal of anguish and
bother" The Cincinnati Times-Star
quotes the Cuban Ambassadors state
ment that President Roosevelt himself
revealed a great knowledge of Cuban
in the present circumstances, that he
makes his major moves with conf
dence."
President Machado and his govern
ment," according to the Scranton
Times, "are seriously charged by the
opposition. Graft. it Is said. has
fourished during his regime. He has,
1t Is alleged, ruthlessly driven opponents
from the country, and in addition there
are many stories of brutal killings and
mysterious disappearances laid to the
Machado forces. The press has been
suppressed and dispatches tell Of the
country seething with revolt On the
surface American visitors to Havana
have noticed little of the latter. Eco
nomic control, in which certain Amer
ican banks and interests figure, Is also
cited. In view Of the circumstances
President Roosevelt has been well ad-
vised in sending an experienced diplo-
mat, Sumner Welles, to the island as
our Ambassador. Intervention must
be avoided, except for the benefit oi
the Cubans as whole and not for q
clique of would-be ofiice holders who
probably would be an Improvement or
Machado"
Gen. Machado," records the Oak.
land Tribune, assures the correspond
ents that the killings attributed to his
government were fair and proper ap.
plications of the ley de fuga,' or law
Of flight. Oficials under this law may
shoot offenders who resist arrest o.
try to escape" The Santa Monies
Outlook comments: President Roose.
welt has suggested the reduction in the
duty on Cuban sugar as q means oi
relieving the distress In the island