Evening star., 1934-01-07
US. SENDSSTRONG
: PROTEST TO CUBA
Grau's Seizure Of American
Owned Sugar Factory
ME Brings Complaint.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


A strong note Of protest-the strong
est since the beginning Of the Cuban
Irouoles-waS sent last Thursday to the
Grau San Martin government by the
State Department in connection with
the taking over by the Cuban govern
nent OF tie Cuba-America sugar fac
The Cuba-America is the largest
sugar company in the island. It owns
very important plantation, smoke
houses, ETC., and employs some go 900
workers.
After the removal Of Gerardo Ma
chado from Office, the emploves of the
factory demanded an immediate in
crease In wages and a general improve
ment OF their conditions. These were
granted by the management of the COM
pany, which wanted to avoid more seri-
GUS trouble which may have led to a
complete loss of their plants.
But the increased cost of labor. to-
gether with the low price of sugar. made
IL Improbable for the company to con-
tinue active business this year.
NOW, when the season of the s11oar
grlndlng has begun, the officers of the
company announced that they would
not grind the cane this year. This
caused bad feeling among the workers
ana also worried the Grau San Martin
government, which yielded to the pres
sure OF the Workers Committee and
adopted the high-handed method of
taxing over the Cuba-America SUGAR
Co., lock, stock and barrel. once this
was done, they did not know what to
do with the property.
Appealed to u. s.
In the meantime, the directors and
the stockholders of the conpanv an
peaied to the State Department pro-
testing against this system of confsca-
uon by the Cuban government. After
careful consideration of the case the
State Department instructed the Presi-
dents agent in Havana, Jefferson
CaHery, TO present strongly. Worded
protest to the Grau San Martin govern
ment, demanding that the property
snoulo be returned at once to its right
ful owners.
While the State Department has not
interfered with the stringent measures
taken by the Cuban government regard
ing LABOR conditions in Cuba, it con-
sloers that the confiscation Of an Amer
lcan property comes within the scope
OF protecting American property abroad
and can demand the return of this
property without appearing to interfere
in Cuba's internal affairs
The State Department is folIoTing
Scrupulously the policy indicated by the
president OF non-interference in the af-
fairs Of any nation in Latin America.
out IN this particular case. it is pointed
out the Government would have yigor-
ously protested if similar action had
been taken by important governments,
such as the British, the French or the
japanese.
No Reply From Havana.
So far there has been no reply from
Havana. The Grau San Martin gov-
ernment has evidently not had time to
answer.
1t is believed, however. in well in
formed quarters that a satisfactory ar
rangement will be reached without de-
lay.
According to the latest reports from
the island, the present government is
stronger than 1t has ever been since its
assuming of Office. The Cuban treasury
is in a good shape.
The latest report Of the Department
of Commerce, published on January 4.
indicates that Cuba bought more last
year in this country than the year be-
fore.
SOl. bdISJd, Tie nedQ Oh the army,
has been able to consolidate his position
and has brought discipline and loyalty
in the ranks so that today any at
tempts for a new coup d'etat will IN
doubtedly be successfully suppressed
Furthermore during the last two
months. although Cuba has defaulted
on loans from the Chase National Bank
Batista has found the necessary foreign
exchange 10 purchase abroad a good
deal of military equipment so as to en-
able the army to fight successfully any
attempt to overthrow the San Martin
government.
Revolts Still Plotted.
Such attempts continue to be planned
in New York and in Florida, where the
Cuban politicos are plotting.
Menocal, supported by two important
companies with large interests in Cuba,
has been encouraged to try to over
throw the San Martin administration.
Although all preparations for an at
tack have been made, it is likely that
no attempt will be made at this time,
since the politicos know the strength
of the Batista army.
In the meantime there will be at
tempts in Washington to give a bet
ter chance to the sugar industries.
A sugar conference will be held in
Washington this week and new at
tempt will be made to bring about a
stabiliZation Of the sugar production.
If this can be accomplished. it is ex-
pected that the prices will soar and the
general outlook for this industry will
improve.