Evening star., 1936-01-12


Cuba, this 750-mile elbow that rises
from the Gulf and Caribbean waters
held especial significance for our mill
tary strategists Had Cuba neversbe-
come a ranking sugar producer of the
world, geography still would have
made it a necessary protectorate of
the United States. 1t stands guard
at the portals of the Gulf of Mexico,
q Gibraltar protecting Uncle Sans
oil and cotton fields. 1t is natural
stepping stone to the Panama Canal.
For years it has provided far South
naval base at Guantanamo, where our
Winter fleet maneuvers.
World War Brings Wealth.
With the warning nations of 1914-l8
paying bounty for its sugar, Cuba
achieved new Importance, and wealth
beyond the dreams of its people. Mil
lions of American dollars poured into
the island, and American capital set
about to modernize the sugar industry.
United States bankers Wed to make
loans for public works.
So, the interest of Uncle Sam In
Cuba, which up to then had been evi-
denced only in the military and public
health ministrations of Gen. Leonard
Wood, became that of a business part
ner. Uncle Sam can no more dissolve
that partnership than he can forget
his Caribbean Gibraltar.
The good neighborliness President
Coolidge had preached to Cuba and
other Latin neighbors at the Pan
American Congress in Havana had
been echoed by President Hoover, and
Secretary of State Cordell Hull was
rehearsing his subsequent renewal of
our non-imperialism pledge at Monte
video when, in 1888, it became appar-
ert Uncle Sam must employ stern
hand in Cuba. Business. plummeting
from its sugar highs" in 1920. had
declined steadily. Gerardo Machado,
the terrorist President, was attempt
ing to perpetuate his spendthrift
regime by bloody retaliation against
the revolutionists of 1881, led by Gen.
Mario G. Menocal
Welles Assigned to Task.
It was a ticklish assignment for
the good neighbor" diplomats. So
Sumner Welles, now Assistant Secre-
tary of State and long recognized as
the State Departments expert on
Latin American affairs, was sent to
Cuba to see that the stern hand was
properly disguised with diplomacy's
glove. Welles first attempted
mediation plan, but, knowing the
Latin temperament as he does, he
probably REALIZED at the beginning the
near hopelessness of his task When
it failed and Machado persisted in
his arrogance toward the American
Embassy, Welles set out to depose
the terrorist.
How this was accomplished in a
quiet, bloodless revolt of the army
officers, August II, 1888, and how
Machado fled the island in an Ameri-
can airliner Is front-page history.
But the bloody days that followed
have left much for United States
diplomacy to explain.
On September 4, little more than
q month after the revolving army OFF,
GERS and Ambassador Welles had in
stalled DR.. Carlos Manuel De Ces-
pedes as president, the army
sergeants at Camp Columbia engin-
eered a successful revolt against their
officers. 1t was then, so most busi-
ness interests in Cuba still insist, that
Welles should have abandoned the
glove for a mailed fist and menac-
ing row of Marine bayonets. The
deposed army officers, sensing Sc
curity in the United States gunboats
anchored in the shadow Of old Moro
Castle, bottled themselves into the
American owned Nacional Hotel in
downtown Havana and waited for the
armed Intervention they believed
would come. Radio antennae cracked
between the rooftop of the American
Embassy and the American flagship
In the harbor, but the Marines did
not come. Ambassador Welles moved
from his suite at the hotel The
sergeant-army attacked and many
Cuban officers and soldiers were killed.
The reign of terror was renewed two
fold
Many Efforts Fail.
Followed days and nights Of in
describable horror throughout this
island. The Leftist student govern
ment of Grau San Martin succeeded
Cespedes. 1t sought United States
recognition unsuccessfully. Sergt. Col.
Fulgencio Batista. leader of the SER
geant's revolt, became the strong man
Of Cuba. Welles tried mediation again.
It failed. He tried to reach COM
mon ground with Batista, and was
apparently double-crossed for his
pains. Meanwhile, American, foreign
and domestic business in the island
clamored for the United States "to
do something" to restore order.
welles left here in November. 1884,
TO confer with President Roosevelt in
Warm Springs, Ga. Resentment
against the United States was voiced
by parading Cubans bearing uncom-
plimentary banners. There was talk
that Welles would not be permitted
to land when he returned. But Ba-
ttsta gave him an obviously staged
demonstration when he reported back
for duty.
In December, welles left Cuba for
good-or worse. Consul General Du-
mont became, temporarily. ranking
American voice In Cuba. At that time
strikes were paralyzing business and
industry. When electric service was
suspended at the i1sistence of Grau
sympathizers, bluff old Gen. Dumont
told Batista In no uncertain terms
the party was over. The lights snap
ped back on. The American policy"
Ia Cuba showed distinct improvement
from that day.
Peace Finally Reigns.
T5raif uas irirnical to American pol.