The Washington times., 1917-04-27
CUBAN WAR MISSION
ON WAY TO CAPITAL
Places country's Entire Re-
sources at Disposal Of
America.

A third war mission Is speeding
toward Washington from the Island
Of Cuba today. 1t IL headed by Col.
Aurelio Hevia, Cuban secretary OF
government. and Gen. Jose Marti.
son OF the great Cuban liberator,
and commanding general of all the
Cuban armed forces. Colonel Hevia
arrived today. The others will ar
rive Monday to arrange for a $780,
OO0.OOO war loan. and to map plans
for the planting OF big coast defense
guns all along the Cuban coast. as
a precaution against German-Ameri-
can invasion.
The mission sailed from Havana
this morning, for Key West. The
members are expected in Washing
ton some time Monday. a fternoon. The
mission will be accompanied by
numerous officials of the Cuban
government, and high officers of the
Cuban army and navy. Their aim.
according to Joseph V. Knight, con
hdential agent of the government in
this country, is to offer the services
of the entire Cuban government %
Ahc OnlleO states IN lne prosecution
OF the war against Germany.
Seek Big War Loan.
Colonel Hevia, known as the
strong man of Cuba" and favored by
President Menocal as his successor to
the Presidency, came ahead of the
mission, in order that he might visit
his son, student at the Naval Acsd-
emy at Annapolis. and also pave the
way, at the Treasury Department for
the big war loan Cuba needs to estab-
lish military coast defenses. Colonel
Hevia Narrived in Washington from
Key West shortly after / o'clock this
afternoon. He is not supposed to be
here officially, IL was explained, until
the other members OF the mission ar
rive Monday. He was escorted by
Victor H Barranco, head Of the Cuban
secret service in the United States,
who met him on his arrival here,
Colonel Hevia boarded a o'clock
train for Annapolis, to visit his son.
He explained that the latter. in his
hrst year at the Naval Academy. is
seeking leave OF absence that he may
return to Cuba and enter the Cuban
navy as a line officer, in expectation
OF hostilities
Our mission from Cuba is differ
ent from those sent by France and
England, said Colonel Hevia. Bar
ring the loan-for which we will give
our national treasury notes. and what
ever other security is considered nee
essary-we seek no help from the
United States. Instead we seem to
give whatever aid we may. We feel
we owe your country a great debt
and we want to repay it, at least in
part
At Disposal of U. 8.
"Our country is at the entire dis
possl OF the United States for what
ever purposes she may desire. She
may establish coalins stations where
she will: our exports are at her dis
posal. and there is a plan being CON
sidered for the establishment of coast
artillery stations, with giant guns. at
strategic points along the Cuban
coast" = =
According to Colonel Hevia. Cuba
stands ready to supply. TO her utmost
ability. any food shortage in this
country as result OF the war.
Revolution L. Dead.
We may be able TO help you in the
supply Of sugar" he said. Reports
have been circulated to the effect
that the crop would be small. as a
result OF depredatiOns by revolution
ists-and. by the way, there is no
more revolution. II Is dead.
Perhaps those reports were cir
culated to swell prices At any rate.
they are grossly exaggerated. The
Cuban sugar crop. this year. will to-
tai about 2.SOO.OOO tons That is
little under the crop OF last year, but
II much larger than that OF 1918.
would have you say for me that If
Cuba Is to be the sugar bowl OF the
United States during this war, that
bowl will be full"
The securities offered are Of such
quality that little or no difficulty is
anticipated in arranging for Cuban
participation in the war loan, accord
ing to Colonel Hevia
That" he declared, lis only a small
"A very smah-part OF our mission.
We want to help. Cuba IL at Presi-
dent Wilson's entire disposal"
No -WIIIfuI Men" In Cuba.
In a roundabout way. the Cuban
premier paid bitter respects to Sena-
tor William Stone Of Missouri for the
part he played in falling to back up
the President recently.
Political parties are very sharply
defned in Cuba as the recent rebel
lion shows" he said The liberals
hate the conServatives-and the con-
sSrvstives have no love for tho lIb