The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-18
NJ. E.TracySays:

TT is not an easy matter to decide what this
l. government ought to do about Cuba. Direct
Intervention means the continuance of policy
which many people disapprove. Tn the other
hand, failure to take some kind of constructive
action means scrapping the Platt amendment.
There is definite conflict between our his
torical attitude and present-day aspirations.
AS general proposition, the people of this
country would like to get away from interference
with Latin America. Past experience convinceS
them that such policy falls to produce salts
factory results. They have found it much easier
to disestablish bad governments than to set up
good ones
They also have found that interference ex~
poses them to bitterness of sentiment on the
part of Latin Americans which is highly I'M
desirable.
The idea of maintaining order in such coun-
tries as Nicaragua, Haiti, or Cuba for the benefit
OF bankers at home and creditors abroad does
not square with the principles on which this
government was founded. or the newer concep-
ton of international relations.
While it came aobut as a natural by-product
of the Monroe Doctrine, it commits this country
to responsibilities which that doctrine never was
intended to impose.
THE Monroe Doctrine was designed to safe
i guard Latin America from European inter
ference. but not by substituting American inter-
ference. That, however, is what 1t has done.
BY setting up the claim that since we would
not permit them to take direct action, 1t was
our duty to see that their debts were collected
and their interests protected, European govern
ments have unanswered us into false and en-
barrassing position.
For fifty years and more, We have played the
part of a collection agency and q policeman in
Latin America The Plat amendment which
confirmed our right to do this in Cuba, merely
was phase of the general policy
BY the Plat amendment We virtually are
bound TO intervene whenever Cuba gets into
trouble, to send our feet and marines down
there, take charge Of the government and re-
store order by force.
AS Senator Pittman chairman of the foreign
relations committee. points out, we appear to be
confronted with the necessity of repeating the
performance or of adopting new course.
CUBA admittedly Is in serious trouble because
of depression on the one hand and a COR
rupt government on the other. Many Cubans
not only have lost their political rights but their
opportunity TO earn a living.
The duty We imposed on sugar must share
responsibility with the Machado administration
We could change the latter by intervention, but
whatabout the former?
The people of Cuba want chance to work
more than anything else. Lack of that chance
is the basis of their discomfort II the Machado
administration had brought about prosperity. it
would have been forgiven its tyrannies. like
some other administrations in this world which
received great applause in spite of the fact that
they have disestablished about every principle
Of decency or free government
Now the question is whether we should bend
our efforts toward giving Cubans an opportunity
to get something to eat or see that their DO
litical rights are restored. even though they 60
on starving in the process