Evening star., 1933-09-24
BY GASTON NERVAL.

As Is the case with all controversial
issues. there are two sides, two widely
divergent, two extremely opposite sides,
to the Cuban problem. And, as Is the
case with most controversial issues. the
right position Is somewhat midway be-
tween the two extremes.
Extremists in the United States
advocate Intervention In Cuba on the
following grounds:
(a) Obligations derived from the
Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doc
trine. they claim, bars European in
reference with Latin American af-
fairs. The United States, sponsor and
executor of the doctrine, must, there
fore, afford protection to the lives and
property Of European citizens endan-
gered by internal disturbances In Cuba.
In order to avoid the sending OF Eu-
ropean warships to Cuban waters for
the protection of European lives. which
would be an infringement Of the Mon
roe Doctrine. the United States must
see that peace and order prevail
throughout the island republic.
Platt Amendment Cited.
(b) Privileges granted by the Platt
amendment. BY means Of the So
called Platt amendment. which is en-
bodied in a permanent treaty govern
ing American Cuban relations, and
which Is, also, part Of the Cuban con-
stitution. the United States is accorded
the right to intervene in Cuba for the
maintenance of government adequate
for the protection of life. property and
individual liberty" This right, which
is, in a way, pledge OF the United
States to see that such a government
exists, makes this country responsible
before the world for domestice tran
guilty in Cuba.
(c) Protection Of American lives and
property. It is the paramount duty Of
the government Of the United States
to protect the lives and the property
Of its citizens residing in a foreign
country when they become endangered
by domestic disorders. In the words
of the famous Coolidge theory Of un-
limited protection. the person and
property of citizen are part Of the
general domain Of the nation, even
when abroad" The only way to in,
sure such protection is to land armed
forces, let the U. S. Marines take the
situation well in hand" take over the
local government and waive upon the
restless Cuban masses the big stick"
which Theodore Roosevelt advised for
the exercise Of IAN international police
power" by the United States in the
Caribbean zone.
Latin America Dissents-
About these three elements Of inter-
vention. extremists in Latin America
have entirely dissenting views:
(a) Monroe Doctrine. The famous
declaration Of President Monroe, which,
by a series of misinterpretations. has
been distorted beyond recognition, Is
not involved at all. they claim, in the
present Cuban emergency. The Mon
! roe Doctrine clearly specified the kind
Of European interference to which 1t
objected. 1t condemned only two
things: The further acquisition OF
American territory by European pow
ers and ANY interposition for the pur-
pose of depressing" the Latin American
republics 'or controlling in any other
manner their destiny" or change their
form of government. The Monroe Doc
trine did not prevent European powers
from affording to their citizens in a
Latin American country the protection
recognized by international law. If
European men-of-war are, then, dis
patched to Cuba for the mere purpose
OF protecting European lives. without
interfering with. or taking sides in. the
domestic struggle. their presence in
Havana harbor would not constitute a
violation Of the doctrine.
| (b) Platt amendment. The Platt
amendment was imposed upon the Will
of the Cuban people as reward for
the aid rendered by the United States
in the independence and establishment
of the Cuban Republic. Its provisions,
especially those sanctioning American
intervention, have distinct imperial
istic flavor, restraining the sovereignty
of an otherwise supposedly independent
state. The amendment, therefore, is
in conflict with the present Latin Amer
ican policy OF the United States based
on non-intervention and respect for
the sovereignty of smaller nations. 1t
/ is out of step with the times. 1t is a
remnant of the days of Manifest Des-
tiny" and Secretary Olney's "continen-
tai fiat" The Cuban people have over
whelmingly repudiated it. 1t cannot be
enforced, then, without trespassing upon
Cuban sovereignty and belying the new
Latin American policy Of the State De-
partment.
Foreigners May Leave.
(c) Protection of lives and property.
Equality Of states and sovereignty, the
two corner stones Of international law,
prevent protection from becoming a
pretext for Intervention. The presence
of armed forces Of powerful nation
like the United States, in small one.
like Cuba. would be an infringement of
both. Besides. the lives and property
of American citizens inhabiting for
eign country become subject to the laws
and conditions of that particular coun-
try the moment they set foot on its
territory. The citizen of the United
| States who leaves his native land emf
CRATES to Latin American republic.
and engages there In business, is well
aware Of the difficulties he may have to
20 through in cases of domestic dis