Evening star., 1933-08-19
CUBAN ARMY COUP |
SURPRISED WELLES|
U. S. Envoy Says He Knew
Nothing of Movement Which
Ended Crisis.
Continued From First Pase.)

Of resignation, but he did not resign
as. hour by hour, the crisis became more
serious. Not only we're the people
against him. as the political strike 50
conNncingly demonstrated, but the
leaders of his own Liberal party de-
except resignation. Every hour that his
dangered q solution by peaceful AMI
constitutional means II he had re-
signed then, I think we might have
had q peaceful solution without blood
shed. without the action Of the army
and with less political and economic de-
rangement. He might have resigned
under the pressure Of his own party
leaders If he had not been subjected
to advice based on false premises"
Cintas and Ferrara Blamed
1t is understood the Representations
which prolonged Maehados tndectsion
bassador to the United States, Don
Oscar B. Cintas. and by the former
Cuban acting secretary Of state, Or.
Orestes Ferrara. personally to Machado
upon DR.. Ferrara's arrival In Cuba from
the London Economic Conference. They
gave him the impression that Presi-
dent Roosevelt did not concur IN the
embassy's policy, although the un-
precedented manifestation of public
opinion left no doubt in the minds of
the leaders of Machado's own party
that there would be no end to the
siege until Machado retired.
Meanwhile any caller on the Ambas-
sador might see on his desk a photo
graph of President Roosevelt with an
affectionate dedication to the old friend
to whom he had intrusted In Cuba's
bad hour diplomatic task which
ding
II knew had the steadfast support
Of the President" declared Mr.. Welles.
1t was in the acute phase Of The
crisis, when evidently Machado hesi-
tated on the point of resignation, that
an American long resident in Cuba re-
marked as he watched Mr.. Welies at
work: How fortunate 1t Is that We
have here, instead of a commission un-
familiar with Cuba, sent here for media
ton, but one trained man with au-
thority, who speaks the language and
who did not seek an ambassadorship
for its social prestige or as a dis
tinguished way to round out a career
which included little foreign expert
ence"
Never Loses Temper.
The young Ambassador is in no sense
a demonstrative person. His American
suavity, devoid Of f1ourishes, never va
ries. Under the maddening pressure Of
conflicting personalities. aims and
alarms, his blue eyes have remained
calm and receptive. There Is no record
of his ever having lost his temper.
spoken vehemently or even made q vio-
lent gesture. His tall, slim figure seems
never to lean either backward or for
ward, but always carries itself with the
same, jaunty, quick step, whether the
news is good or bad.
As he answered a succession Of tele-
phone calls In fluent and rapid Spanish
or was put in communication with some
one whose views he wanted, his mind
seemed to work automatically along the
lines of his policy to solve Cuban prob,
lens without Intervention. After the
army's action, when the actual govern
ment of Cuba was shifted momentarily
into the army's hands, army leaders
came to him for advice The concern
then was the restoration of order and
the method Of establishing the success
sion to the presidency.
I'm such influence as 1t has been my
fortune to exert, have kept in mind
that the choice of new President
should conform to the Cuban constitu-
tion," went on the Ambassador. All
action so far by the new government
has been in keeping with its provisions.
Upon President Machados resignation,
Gen. Herrera became President as the
legally eligible ranking cabinet officer.
He appointed de Cespedes secretary of
state, then resigned the presidency,
which, automatically under the consti-
tuition, made de Cespedes President.
Therefore, this is not de facto, but q
constitutional government, which in
wolves no need of delay in its recogni-
ton by other nations"
A quorum is not necessary when the
Cuban Congress Is In permanent ses-
sion unless roll call is requested to
establish the fact. The Cuban Congress
is legally IN permanent session and
there was no roll call when Senior de
Cespedes was chosen.
ITO designate the present govern
ment de facto government" said
Ambassador Welles, "and then to post
pone the installation of its successor by
holding national election must i'm
pose a period Of inaction and uncer-
tainty at a time when Cuba's financial
and economic situation calls for imme-
diate relief"
Although it has been said that not
enough members of Congress will come
out of hiding to establish a quorum to
carry on the machinery of government,
there is growing conviction that there
will be sufficient in the near future; if
SO, victory for the adherents to con-
stitutional ferns seems assured.
tCopyrioht. 1893. by North Americn News
pa ner Alliance. Inc World righf6 reserved !