The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-30
CUBA WILL FIGHT WITH UNCLE. SAM AGAINST GERMANY RObt. C. Ebert Authorized by Menocal to Explain
 Cuban Situation
SAYS REVOLUTION
 WAS EXAGGERATED
Discusses Friendly Relations Exist ing Between Two Countries and Says Cubans Are Grateful
 to America

While the United States is making every preparation for war with Germany, the people of Cuba likewise are getting ready to render all assistance to the nation that befriended her during the hour of need some years ago, and has remained hel friend during the upbuilding of the re- public.
 | Robert G. Ebert, manager of the Hotel Plaza, Havana, and assistant manager of night made this statement with the fur ther declaration that the island republic will follow closely upon the actions of the United States with similar declaration of war.
 Lust before I left Havana I had an interview with Eusebio s. Azpiazu, pri- vate secretary to President Menocal," he said. q asked him what the republic would do in the event the United States Congress declared war upon Germany. %Ie replied that the republic will immediately take such a step and lend it's fighting forces to assist this country in the con- flict."
 Americans, who have never visited Cuba, hardly realize the intense friendly feelings the Cubans entertain for the citizens of this country" continued MT. Ebert President Menocal is thoroughly American in spirit, education and enter prise, while, at the same time, he is a Cuban patriot of the highest ideals. EDUCATED IN AMERICA He received the major part of his education in the United States, and speaks English without any trace of accent, in fact, like any Ametrican. In youth he was a pupil of the Chautauqua institute,
 and later studied at the Maryland Agri- cultural college whence he passed on to Cornell university, graduating there as a civil enginer in the class of 1888. Cuba has 25,0OO trained soldiers and the system, similar to the National Guard, which has just become effective, will give about 25,OO0 more fighting men within the next few months. Each one of these soldiers and recruits is never unmindful of the friendship between the people of their republic and the United States, and they will make up one of the most patriotic forces against Germany that could be found.'
 Mir. Ebert has been in Havana as man. ager of the Hotel Plaza for the past four months, while on leave of absence from the Hotel McAlpin, whence he is return | ing. E,n route, he is acting as an au- thorized publicity agent for President Menocal, who is exceedingly desirous of informing the American people of the true conditions existing there as result of the recent revolution scare which he says was quoted in this country in most garbled and exaggerated form. At no time during the entire tourist season was the peace of Havana dis in, c,1oal 6pprap' he Sa i6 'Ons the contrary the business life of
 Havana was as active and as normal as cyer while social affairs were carried out in the usual brilliant, interesting manner, which is characteristic of that beautiful tropical city
 What I desire to emphasize especially . continued Mr. Ebert. ''is that Americans | in Cuba, other as residents or visitors were absolutely safe, and I have beer specially charged by the President to lay particular stress upon that fact. MENOCAL ABLE EXECUTIVE With training such as President Menocal has had, imparted in an Ameri- can environment, it is no wonder that he should welcome Americans to the shores of the delightful country of which he is the effective, chief executive. His ad-
 ministration has been reformative and progressive, by all means the best since the establishment. of the republic, and he would have accomplished more but for the fact that the lower house through out the past four years. that Is to say,
 during the presidential term now clos ing, has been under the control of the opposite political party
 'President Wilson has further em- phasized the friendliness of the states for the republic in his recent announce nent to back up President Menocals ad- mipistration against the revolutionists who are promulgated and backed by the defeated malicious political alignment
 IL has been through the assistance rem
 dered by this government that the Cuban