Evening star., 1933-12-13
The Platt Amendment.

COlncloent With Ambassador WelleS'
departure from Havana today, the
State Department indicates that con-
sideration has been given to abolition
Of the Platt amendment, which author
ICES American intervention in Cuba
under certain circumstances. A definite
hint of the United States readiness to
renounce that right was conveyed in
a recent statement by President Roose-
velt, who suggested that as concrete
evidence of our desire to play the
part Of good neighbor to the Cuban
people, we have wished to commence
negotiations for revision Of the COM
mercial relations and for a modifica-
ton of the permanent treaty between
the United States and Cuba"
1t is to the permanent treaty" that
the Platt amendment is attached. On
March 2, 1901, Congress authorized the
President to hand over the government
at Havana, following American control
after the Spanish-American War, on
condition that Cuba accepted the
amendment. On June u, 1901, it was
made part of the Cuban constitution.
Five years later, in 1906, American in
tervention ensued under the amend
ment, and lasted until 1909. The most
serious possibility of intervention in
recent times occurred in connection
with the political turmoil that accom-
panied the overthrow of Machado last
Summer
Despite the consistent restraint OBJ
served by successive administrations at
Washington-and no more notable ex-
ample was ever given than the attitude
maintained by President Roosevelt
throughout this years crisis-the Platt
amendment has never ceased to be q
I thorn in Cuba's side. Demands for
its abrogation were revived with vehe-
mence during the past four months Of
upheaval in the islands. Havana ex-
tremists insist upon depicting the
amendment as a cloak for Yankee i'm
perialsm" beneath which the United
States shields dagger with which 1t
means some day to stab Cuban inde-
pendence to death
Abrogation of the amendment can
only come about as result of mutual
action. Probably the initiative would
take the form of a resolution by the
United States Senate, as the amend
ment is part of treaty, and such a
resolution would probably require two
thirds vote for adoption. Cuba on her
part would need to amend her consti-
tuition.
It is said in Washington that Mr.
Caffery, who will reach Havana next
week in the capacity of President
Roosevelt's personal representative, may
be empowered to offer modification of
the 1901 treaty as an inducement to
Senor Grau San Martin and his foes
to compose their differences and re-
store stable government to Cuba.
That is the United States sole wish
and objective. Once Cuba puts her
house in order under conditions guar
anteeing permanent safety for life, lib
erty and law, the necessity for the Platt
amendmen. automatically vanishes. II
is the sincere hope of the American
people that the Cubans as soon as pos
sible will do the necessary to enable
the United States to make the good
neighbor" gesture to which President
Roosevelt has alluded. When domestic
peace returns to Cuba with promise OF
enduring there will be slight objection
to the remuneration of the Platt amend
ment, but American public opinion will
demand convincing evidence on that
score.