Evening star., 1933-09-11
Cuba's New President.

Since yesterday Cuba has President
again-the third within a month
and a government that has at once
is former Prof. Ramon Grau San
Martin Of the University of Havana,
member of the flve-man junta which
displaced President de Cespedes last
week. No disorders accompanied this
latest change in the turbulent affairs
of the island, despite its revolutionary
character To date the junta of ser
geants and students" who are spon-
sors for the newest deal, has made
good on its boast that 1t can preserve
order and is qualified to rule.
Formally indicted into Office by the
Cuban Supreme Court, President San
Martin filled six cabinet posts, mostly
with fellow members Of the late junta,
and then from the balcony Of the
presidential palace, amid cheers that
indicated popular confidence in the
regime he personifies, proclaimed the
ment to rule in accordance with the
revolutionary program, "for the good
Of the island and with maximum re-
spect for all interests established here"
In that ptraseology Senor San Martin
plainly addressed himself to the United
States. It carries an agreeable mes
sage to this country.
While the new Presidents inaugu-
raj was under way radical demonstra-
tions nearby, believed to be Com
munist in origin, were marked by vio-
lent outbursts against Yankee i'm
perialism" and similar epithets. There
were fevered demands for the with
drawal of American naval forces from
Cpban waters and imprecations were
hurled at Ambassador Welles. Else
where in the island excuses Of various
sorts marked the week end. The most
serious revolved around the refusal of
army officers to resume their posts un-
der the new government. At Havana
three hundred officers stripped of their
command during the late sergeants'
uprising were baked in an eleventh.
hour attempt to compel the junta to
reinstall President de Cespedes.
The United States consistent position
that Cuba is entitled to order her own
destinies IS not affected by current de-
velopments at Havana. President San
Martin signals that q constitutional
convention will be held as soon as pos
sible, to be followed by an election
that will express the will of the people
and not the will of political dictator. I"
If that program eventuates in stable
government it will arouse nothing but
profound satisfaction at Washington.
But deeds will be the only test by which
American action can be governed.
American recognition of the San Martin
or any other government at Havana Is
unlikely until it has demonstrated its
capacity to rule in tranquility and fully
to safeguard life, property, liberty and
order. Nor, pending assurances on that
score, will there be any relaxation Of
the precautionary measures President
Roosevelt has taken to protect Amer
ican interests in Cuba.
Meantime there Is welcome indication
of unprecedented Pan-American soli-
darity in the general issues raised by
the Cuban crisis. Mexico and the
A. B. c. powers of South America have
Joined in an appeal to Cuba to leave
no stone unturned to establish condi-
tions that will avert American inter-
vention. Argentina has addressed a
note to the United States strongly op-
posing intervention. Every external
influence capable Of creating the
proper atmosphere in Cuba is now at
work. 1t remains the earnest hope Of
the American people, while approving
the policy Of vigilance their Govern
ment is pursuing, that the Cubans
themselves, with a minimum of delay,
will evolve their own salvation without
any action whatsoever on our part
beyond maintained concern and good
wishes for the enduring welfare and un-
impaired sovereignty Of our island
neighbor.