The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-27
CUBANS WOULD Fly
TO ARMS If u. 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
creasing the strength Of her armed
forces. has been cordially received here
where the life of a 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 a dangerous thing, have yet
found no place in tho civil service. me
press Is giving the proposition much Ia
vorable attention. as are many OF the
leading officials. civil and military.
In an interview Major Gustavo ROD
riguez. of the general stan. says
Our armed guardians can never cost
too much or consume too much II they
bring peace and tranquility to ell or.
ders of life in the nation; the cost OF
maintaining them will be negligible
compared to the priceless benefits of
peace, tranquility. and the republic sta
ION the other hand, we all know the
debt of gratitude we owe to the United
States. the great and generous nation
that not only gave us our hDerty pui
continues 10 guard Il for us. How snail
we reply IL, finding itself at war with
another nation. that generous peopiI ,,
us at least defend yourselves. for you
know that your island is magnificent
strategic point for America, AMI all
eyes will turn uron you.
While Americans may smle az Ihe
flamboyancy OF the foregoing. most up
nep class Subans are most SellCus
about the part CUbR shall play In any
war involving the United States. This
was strikingly evidenced when the csi-
bles brought tho canard that the Jap
anese had landed on Tortuga Island
Mexico. The story reached mere ~
time for the early afternoon papers eno
President Menocal hastily called the
that same evening he discussed with
his ministers the measures TO be take:
by Cuba in the apparently Imminent
event OF war between the United states
and japan.
The Cuban, like every spsnish-Ameri-
can, Graves excitement. 1t Is with Q
delicious thrill that Cubans say-anC
they say it often-that in case of wal
between the United States and the Ger.
mans Cuba will be I'm the line or hrsi
attack. Shudderlngly they hug the
glorious prospect of Cuba's becoming
the Belgium OF America"
AS first result OF N'ashington's rec
ommendation President Menocal has
signed a decree suspending the literacS
requirement for enlistment in order thai
the army shall without delay be re
cruited 10 the authorized strength o.
10 900 men.
Although the optimistic official stats
tics show that but 20 per cent OF th'
population Is illiterate. II is from tha
80 per cent soldiers must be chiefly re-
cruited The smallest smattering o.
learning raises a Cuoan from the labor
ing to the office-seeking class. from thu
would-he recruit to the aspirant for q
commission; and. moreover. the highest
average of physical fitness is to b.
found in the agricultural districts where
illiteracy prevails.
While there may be no truth in thu
story published by El Heraldo de Cuba
rabid opposition organ. owned and
directed by Orestes Ferrera. speaker o.
the House. that Secretary of Govern
ment Hevia has drawn up elaborate
plans for fortifications and heavy gum
| to protect Cuba's coasts, II Is a fact tina
some congressman are preparing bill!
| which provide for coast defense, boil
with land batteries and submarines anC
there is a general feeling that tn,
| United States not only will authorize
| the making of a new loan for such
purpose, but may help Cuba bear tn,
financial burden.