The Washington times., 1916-01-27
CUBANS WOULD FLY
TO ARMS IF j. s. BID
See Themselves As BeIgians Of
America, and Merely Await
the Word.

HAVANA. Jan. 27.-The suggestion
made by Washington that Cuba join In
the general preparedness movement. IN
creasinC the strength of her armed
forces. has been cordially received here.
where the life of soldier appeals far
moro strongly to the illlterate than the
hard labor OF the cane fields or the
CITY streets. while an officers commits
sion seems very attractive to the young
men who. possessing that little learning
which is n dangerous thing. have yet
found no place in the civil service. The
press Is giving the proposition much IA
Vorable attention. as are many OF the
leading officials. civil and military.
In an interview Major GustaNo ROD
flgueZ, OF the general stan. says:
our armed guardians can never cost
too much or consume too much II they
bring peace and tranquility to oil or.
ders OF life in the nation; the cost or
maintaining them will be neSllgible
compared to the priceless bencilts or
peace. tranquility. and the republic sta
biltv. ,
debt of gratitude we owe to the United
States. the great and generous nation
that not only gave us our liberty but
continues 10 guard l. FOR us no" snail
we reply if. finding itself at war With
shall say to us, 'If you cannot heI'
us at least defend yourselves. FOR you
know that your island is a magnihcent
strategic roint for America. AMI All
c.res will turn uron YOU.
While Americans may snile at Nhe
flamboyancy OF the foregoing. most up
per class 6ubans are most SCI Cus
about the rart Cuba snail play In any any
was sttikirgly evidenced when the r.t-
bles brought the canard that the Jap
ancse had landed on Toriuga island
Mexico. The story reached mere IN
time for the early afternoon papeis and
President Mcnocal hastily called the
cabinet together. From 5 to . clCck
that sarc evening lie discussed win
his ministers the measures, TO De taKc:l
by Cuba in the apparently imminent
event Of war between the United states
and japan.
" The Cuban, like every Spanish-Ameri-
can. Graves excitement 1t Is with a
delicious thrill that Cubans say-and
they say it often-that in case of war
between the United states and the Ger
mans Cuba will be in the line of first
attack. Shudderingly they hug the
glorious prospect of Cuba's becoming
the BEL GUM of America"
AS first result OF Niashington's rec
ommendation President MenoCal has
signed a decree suspending the literacy
requirement for enlistment in order that
the army shall without delay be re
CIuIlt'l 10 tlic dulHOlIEtu I'll VI
lo.0n men.
Although the optimistic official statis-
tics show that but 10 per cent OF the
population is illitcrate. it is from that
80 per cent soldiers must bc chiefly re-
Cruited. The smallest smattering OF
learning raises a Cunan from the labor"
ing to the offiCe-seekinE class. from the
would-ho recruit to tho aspirant for a
commission: and. moreover. tho highest
average Of physical fitness is to be
found in tho agricultural districts where
illiteracy prevails.
While there may be no truth in the
story published by El Hcraldo dc Cuba
bid opposition organ. owned and
directed by OrcStes Ferrera. speaker OF
the House. that Secretary OF Govern
ment Hevia has drawn up elaborate
plans for fortifications and heavy guns
to protect Cuba's coasts, II is a fact that
some congressman are preparing bills
which provide for coast defense. both
with land batteries and submarines, and
there is general feeling that the
United States not only will authorize
the making OF a new loan for such a
purpose. but may help Cuba bear the
financial burden.