The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-28
VITAL CHANGES
URGED IN CUBA,
U. S. TREATIES
Roosevelt Reported Ready
to Recognize Popular
Government.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
Scripps- Howard Foreign Editor

WASHINGTON. Nov. 29-Vital
changes are impending in the re-
latiOns between thu United States
and Cuba, awaiting only a sign from
the islanders that they are ready
to begin negotiations.
Not only is President Roosevelt
expected to recognize a Havana
government in the near future. but
his plans call for radical revision
Of both the Platt amendment and
the reciprocity treaty which govern
the political and economic relations
between the two countries.
By a whole series of unexpected
moves. the President has gone con-
siderabIy more than half way to
demonstrate his good neighbor''
policy 10 Cuba, putting the islands
fate squarely up to the people them
selves.
Ambassador Sumner Welles, who
has been criticised by certain fac
tiOns in Cuba. is returning to Wash
ington. Assistant Secretary of
State Caffery will take Welles' place
at Havana. Charge d'Afaires Ed
ward Reed likewise returns from
Cuba, his post being taken by H.
Freeman Matthews.
San Martin May Resign
The President is not understood
to be making these changes because
of dissatisfaction over Welles or
Reed, but because he wishes to re-
move every particle Of room for
criticism Of this countrys Cuban
policy.
1t is now up to you" he says in
effect to the Cuban factions.
Whatever government the Cubans
themselves can unite upon, I shall
be only too happy to recognize. We
can then proceed to revise the Platt
amendment and the treaty of re-
CiprOCity to our mutual advantage"
The President has made it plain
that he promptly will recognize
President Grau San Martin or any
other regime at the first sign that
it has popular backing. There are
I c pm 10 AlOWtNGAf DAAelb ltOlNCllb GDdll
Martin may shortly voluntarily re-
sign in favor of a coalition govern
ment Of a temporary nature under
which popular elections would be
held
The British are known to be con-
siderlng recognition of San Martin,
stealing a march on the United
States and gaining in goodwill at
this cOuntry's expense. Ordinarily,
Europe would wait until Washing
ton made the first move. But, fam
ished for trade, particularly with
Latin America, she may not con-
tinue this practice indefinitely.
Treaty Changes Necessary
The Platt amendment, or perma-
nent treaty is bitterly criticised in
the United States as well as Cuba.
It makes Cuba almost a protector
ate, giving this country the right
some claim it imposes the obliga-
tiOn-Of armed intervention in
times of turmoil.
Both Cubans and Americans
claim this undermines Cuban SOW
ereignty and encourages, rather
than prevents, relationships. Die
tator Machado bolstered himself in
power for years largely by threat
ening his enemies with Yankee in
tervention if they revolted against
his rule.
The reciprocity treaty, or trade
understanding has likewise worked
to the disadvantage of both sides.
1t converted Cuba into a one-crop
country and contributed to her ruin
when the bottom dropped out of
sugar prices and the United States
increased the sugar tariff. Cuban
purchases in the United States, once
enormous, virtually have dis
appeared.
Revision of these key treaties,
President Roosevelt has conveyed to
Cuta, will be undertaken just as
soon as her political conditions per-
NIT.