The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-29

Cuban Revolution Interpreted
in L. S. by Rebel Delegation
Destiny of Native UprisingS
Guided From Hotel Suite
in New York.
BY DOM SUTTON,
NEA Service Writer

III NCW VI A.
BY DOM SUTTON,
NEA Service Writer
NEW YORK, Aug. 29.-RevoIu-
tons are not all bush-whacking
through the jungles, sniping from
shadowy balconies, and enduring
privations.
A part Of them are staged in the
luxurious atmosphere Of expensive
suites in New York hotels, with
debonair, morning-suited rebel
leaders casually slipping ginger ale
brought up by bellhops and hold
ing conferences that resemble
meetings of out-of-town buyers.
For instance, the present revolt
in Cuba has roots that extend far
beyond that palm-fringed little
island republic.
Any day, now, on the eleventh
floor Of the fashionable Hotel Bilt-
more here, meticulously attired,
olive-skinned ladies and gentlemen
may be seen hurriedly but quietly
slipping in and out of the doors of
a seven-room suite.
They are the members of a dele
CATION which the Cuban revolu-
tionary junta has dispatched to
this country to interpret" the re-
bellion for the American people.
They also are business representa-
tiveS of the revolutionistS in the
United States.
CapOte Is Center
Their activity is conferred about
a corpulent, Unchecked man of
90 years, with sparse hair and
perpetual expression of amusement,
who may be the next President of
Cuba-if the revolt succeeds.
He is DR.. Domingo Mendez Ca
pote, one-time president of
Cuba and leader in the war for
Cuban independence.
With his wife, daughter and son,
DR.. Capote sits at a window over
looking the whirl of Manhattan
traffic, listens to the voices of trav-
cling statesmen through the tram
SONS across the hallway-and makes
plans concerning Cuba.
He is too old now to be on the
scene Of the revolution which he
has done much to foment.
Joins 1895 Rebellion
But in his youth he was no |
stranger to the stress and violence
of revolt. He abandoned a lucrative
law practice to join the rebellion
against Spain in 1895. He was
chosen secretary of state of the rev.
dictionary government then.
He took a firm stand with the
revolutionists in inviting the United
States forces to cooperate with
them in the overthrow of the Span
ish regime. After the war, he wac
named Cuban secretary Of state. In
November, 1907, he was elected vice.
president of the republic.
Seven years ago he was a candi-
date for the vice-presidency and
mate of General Mario
Menocal, another chieftain of the
present uprising. And he has been
a professor of law in the University
of Havana.
Little to Advertise
DR.. Capote's son, DR.. Francisco M.
Capote, is secretary of the delega-
ton, and DR. Fernando Ortiz, a for
mer professor and editor of three
Cuban magazines, is vice president.
They are in the strange position
of constituting a sort of advertising
for the Cuban revolu-
and yet having little to ad-
vertise.
Asked about the financial re-
sources of the rebel forces, they can
say only that 'the people Of Cuba"
are supporting them. Questioned
about the sources and quantity of
their war material, they must only
smile.
Interrogated about possible other
purposes of their mission in the
United States, they deny there are
any.
Plans Kept Secret
Questioned as to the whereabouts
of rebel leaders in Cuba, the po-
tential strength of their forces and |
the plan of their campaign, they
can maintain only the strictest
silence.
Meanwhile, there's a constant buzz
of activity in their extensive hotel
suite and in the thick carpeted |
corridor outside. Women in Paris
gowns join men who look tailored-in-
London. Bell boys and porterS come
and go, unaware that they're on the
sidelines of a revolution. Body
guards, if any, are not in evidence.
Pretty Carmen Mendieta smiles
a welcome to reporters and camera
men; she's a daughter of Colonel |
Carlos Mendieta, famous rebel lead
err. Conversation would seem to be
on casual, pleasant topics.
There's all the atmosphere of
congenial social gathering :.
There's little to suggest that nearly
1000 miles away, beneath Cuba's
blazing tropical sun, revolution is in
the making blood is being shed |