The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-03
Liberal Viewpoint
=Bv DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

ONE of the most disastrous episodes in Amer1-
" can diplomacy was our Mexican policy from
1913 until the sending OF Dwight MORROW 10
Mexico nearly fifteen years later Barrels OF
blood and millions of dollars were expended
needleSsly because we refused to permit the
Mexican people to work out their own political
and economic destiny. It is highly desirable that
we should not repeal these mistakes in our Gu
ban policy.
In an article on American Diplomacy in
Cuba" in the Nation, the wel1-knOWn author
ity, Carleton Beals, points out that the activi-
ties of Mr.. Welles in Havana were as in-ad-
vised and detrimental as the operations OF
American emissaries in Mexico after 1913.
Mr. Beales charges that Mr.. WelleS first
wished to put into the presidency Machads
felloW-aSSaSsin General Herrera. Failing in this,
he set up a puppet government under lie Ces-
pedes which was so weak that it collapsed i'm
meGiately.
Thereupon, the Cubans themselves put into
office Ramon Grau San Martin. While his
government was by no means a strong one, and
failed to elicit any enthusiasm from Mr.. Beals,
it did have the merit Of being the first govern
ment in the history of Cuba which was OF Gu
ban origin and represented the will of the ma
iority of the Cuban people.
IRON the beginning Mr.. Welles did his best
Il to undermine the Grau government. After
having himself tried to set up governments
which in no way represented the desires of the
dacity to demand that the Cubans adopt
coalition government, bringing together the
most impossible mixtures.
AS Mr.. Beals points out, what Welles asked
of the Cubans was comparable to demanding
in the United States that Roosevelt and Far
ley abdicate, and shat Al Smith be appointed
President with a cabinet including such names
as Hoover, Mellon, OBrien, Jimmy Walker,
Sunny jim Rolph and John Dewey"
Actually it seems that Welles was opposed
chiefly to the Grau government because it
threatened to assert an independent attitude
toward American bankers and public utilities in
Cuba. His very last discussion with Grau was
given over to a protest against the new cleo
trio light rate which had reduced by nearly one
half the highest rate charged anywhere in the
civilized world
Mr. Welles left before Grau was ousted but
he had done enough damage so that the Grau
government lacking American recognition had
to give way. The result was the choice of
government under a reactiOnary, Colonel Car
los Mendieta.
THOUGH this Mendieta government was less
Il representative Of Cuban opinion than the
Grau government, it was quickly recognized by
the United States. Mendieta gave evidence
of more kindly attitude toward the American
bankers and utilities.
1t is well to recall that Machado was de-
nounced mainly as tool of American bankers
and utility interests and that Ambassador Gug-
genhelm was charged with being a representa-
tive of those very American interests. This is
certainly no policy for a new deal diplomacy"
to be continuing.
1t Is high time that we should modify this
policy before have done irreparable dam
age to our position in Cuba and to the cause of
Cuban self-government. AS Mr.. Beals well
points out:
UnWittingly, Welles has been preparing the
ground Tor great. unorganized social upheaval
IN Cuba. His meddling has been very similar
IN character and purpose to that of Henry Lane
Wilson during the Madero administration in
Mexico after the revolution against Diaz Will
son contributed greatly to the downfall of Ma
dero and hence his subsequent assassination. and
he helped spill a river of blood across Mexico
for decade or more.
The Cubans will not soon forgive Welles for
his meddling and his partiSanship; he has
Sowed and reaped fresh crop of hatred for the
United States"
There is much to be said for the declaration
OF an editor of the Nation that a minimum Gu
pan policy. compatible with the new deal. would
involve the following three points:
l. Our abandonment of the PIatt amend
ment without reservations
z Negotiation Of a new reciprocal sgree-
ment which will give Cuba a certain preferen-
tal arrangement in the matter of sugar oI,otas
and duties 40'''
g. Active and disintereSted cooperation of
the United States with the Cuban government
IN relieving distress and in bringing about eco
nonic reconstruction"