Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-30
SAYS CUBA WILL BACK
j. 5. IN EVENT OF WAR
Robert G, Ebert, President
Memorials Representative
Discusses Situation

Cuba is withe the United States to the
last ditch in case of war with Germany"
according to a statement given to The
Journal Wednesday morning by Robert
G. Gilbert, assistant manager of the Nc
Alpin hotel of New York and manager
Of the Plaza hotel of HaN anna and per-
sonal representative of President Memo
cal of the Republic of Cuba.
Continuing Mr.. Ebert said
While the United States is making
every preparation for war with Ger
many the people of Cuba likewise are
getting ready to render all assistance to
the great nation that befriended her dur.
ing her hour of need some years ago
and has remained her friend during the
upbuilding of the republic.
"Just before L left Havana. l had an
interview with Euseblc S. Azpiazu. pri-
vate secretary to President Menocal.
II asked him what the republic would
do i'm the event the United States con-
gress declared war upon Germany. He
replied that the republic will immediate
ly 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 Mr..
Ebert, president Menocal is thorough
ly American in spirit, education and en-
teTprise, while at the same time, he is a
Cuban patriot of the highest ideals. He
was born in 1866 in the prOvinve of
MatanZas, so that he is now in the prime
,of life and i'm the zenish of his activity.
HE received the major part of his ed
ucation in the United States, and speaks
English without any trace of accent. in
fact, like any American. In youth he
was a pupil of the ChautauQua institute,
and, later, studied at the Maryland Ag-
ricultural college. whence he passed on
to Cornell university, graduating there
as a civil engineer in the class of 1888
Cuba has $4,000 trained soldiers and
the system, similar to the national
guard, which has just become effective,
will give about $4,000 more fighting men
within the next few months. Each and
every one of these soldiers and recruits
Is never unmindful OF the friendship
between the people of their republic and
the United States, an dthey will make
up one of the most patriotic forces
against Germany that could be found"
AT no time during the entire tourist
season was the peace of Havana disturb
ed in the smallest degree" he said. ION
the contrary, the business lie or havana
was as active and as normal as ever,
while social affairs were carried out In
the usual brilliant interesting manner
which is characteristic of that beautiful
tropical city. The races and the Italian
grand opera drew as large and enthust-
astic crowds as if nothing unusual was
Transporting at the other end of the is
land. The theaters were all open as US
ual, the clubs gave their customary en-
tertainments and balls, while the numer-
Gus parks and the prado and the thou
sands of street cars, hacks and automo-
biles were always we'll patronized by
an endless stream of interested and in
teresting sightseers.
what ! desire to emphasize espe-
cially" continued Mr.. Gilbert, lis that
Americans in Cuba either as residents or
visitors, were absolutely safe, and have
been specially charged by the president
to lay particular stress upon that fact.
President Wilson has further empha-
sized the friendliness OF the states for
the republic in his recent announcement
to back up President Menocals admin
istration against the revolutionists. 1T
has been through the assistance render