New-York tribune., 1918-09-23
Menocal Says Cuba
Is Heart and Soul i'm
War Against Huns
President Of Republic Tells
of Active Aid Given to
Allied Nations


OF the action taken by Cuba, since the
entrance of the United States into the
war, to help the cause of the Allied
Lahons, is made in a statement from
General Mario G. Menocal, President Of
Cuba, just made public here.
General Menocal says that Cuba's
declaration Of war against Germany
was inspired by "the naughty and vio-
lent attitude in which an imperialistic
power, vain of its might, attempted to
impose upon the world an intolerablc
domination" and "the noble ambition
Of Cuban people to cooperate with all
their strength and with oil their re-
sources in the sacred defence of the
liberty and sovereignty of all people
against the malignant and menacing
military power"
No opposition to the unanimous dec
laration Of war was voiced by any fac
ton of the Cuban people, General
Menocal adds. Public opinion decided
tor war and it was unanimously pro-
Claimed IN both houses of Congress by
representatives of the people and all
needed powers and authority to wage
war were granted the President.
German Ships Seized
The first action taken by General
Menocal following the declaration of
war was the seizure Of large number
of German steamships which were held
in Cuban ports. The Red Cross was
then placed on a war basis, under the
leadership of the Presidents wife,
Senora Mariana Seva De Menocal, and
the membership was soon increased to
include large number of men and
women in high social standing Funds
raised have been turned over for treat
ment of wounded Allied soldiers
10 obtain necessary war funds, Con-
gress authorized a bond issue of
S30,O00,000
General Menocal stated that Cuba
has worked with the United States in
the conservation Of food and the pro-
duction of sugar has been stimulated,
with the result that the crop this wear
amounts to 3,500,000 tons, the greatest
in the history of the republic. Price
regulations were put into effect to pre-
vent exorbitant charge being made.
Food distribution was also subjected to
severe regulations in agreement with
authorities of the United States.
Not in War "Passively"
Steps taken by Cuba to make it's part
in the war more than a passive one,
Including the passing of an obligatory
military service bill, which empowers
the President to send contingent of
the regular army and volunteers to the
European battlefields, the institution of
effective measures against espionage
and enemy propaganda, the censorship
OF mail and telegraphic correspondence
and the authorization of the United
States sending troops to different parts
of Cuba for military instruction and
preparation.
General Menocal declared that Cuba
is showing her decided purpose to CO.
operate, to the extent of her power and
by all means within her reach, in the
triumph of the cause of liberty, democ-
racy and international justice and "to
support without reserve the noble and
disinterested action of the United
States in this glorious effort"
"Cuba's very proximity to the United
States" the President said, "and the
constant intercourse between the two
peoples, growing out of the strong
bonds Of gratitude which join it with
the great nation which helped her
twenty years ago to gain her indepen-
dence after long and devastating war,
and which on two occasions, that is,
after Two lnterVcntlOnS, lett her IN full
possession Of her independence, her
sovereignty and her laws, without in
terfering with the administration of
the government, gives Cnbans a
peculiar insight into the high and dis
interested motives with which the
United States is already taking a pre-
dominant part IN the war"
While it would have been the eco
nomic profit of Cuba to remain neutral,
the people of Cuba did not hesitate on
deciding the course to pursue, General
Menocal said.
Neutrality afforded them gigantic
prof its for their trade and capital, most
solcitously sought by Europe, without
incurring extraordinary expenditures
Nor loss of life nor exceptional effort,
and yet they did not hesitate to aban-
don that neutral position" the Presi-
don't stated.