Evening star., 1933-10-10
MEND|ETA BOOM
BEGUN IN HAVANA
IN GRAU COLLAPSE.
Return of Veteran NATIONAL
ist Leader Seen in Cuban
Crisis.
COL. BATISTA DECLARED
READY TO SHIFT SUPPORT
Efforts to Force President Toward
Compromise With Opposition
Are Continued.
by the Associated Press.


HAVANA, october 10.-The hook OF
governmental overthrow, which has
snatched more than one of his prede-
cessors off Cuba's stormy political stage.
was extended today for President Ra-
mon Grau San Martin.
As it was held out on wave OF SHIFT
ing public opinion, the veteran Nation
elist leader, Carlos Mendieta. listing
from the wings, heard rising clamor
for his temperance.
The Grau regime, fighting desperate
ay to stave off retirement, held out COM
promise after compromise in the hope
of quieting the shouts of the opposl-
tion.
Collapse Seen.
The militarized university youngsters
backing Grau again ratified their sup
port of his government, but support In
other quarters appeared rapidly crum-
bling toward collapse.
Even Col Fulgencio Batista, who di-
rected the attack on rebellious officers
barricaded in the National Hotel, re-
liably was reported prepared to with
draw his support for Mendieta.
And leaders in business. industry and
agriculture, it was pointed out, fre-
quently have expressed confidence In
the veteran.
The rapid developments pointing
toward Grau's downfall grew out OF
mediatory conversations which began
over the week end and still were con-
tinuing today.
Powerful economic pressure and the
,F hy va T1ritpd States
figured most potently, observers said, in
the moves forcing Grau toward COM
promise with the opposition.
Held Power in Recognition.
Rackers of Mendieta, in urging that
he be persuaded to re-enter the political
picture, contended that his would be
powerful voice in negotiations looking
to United States recognition.
Mendieta held the confidence OF
Sumner Welles, the American Ambas-
sador, they argued further, as well as
of local leaders on both sides OF the
broken political scene.
While public discussion centered
around the probability Of Grau's retire
ment, it was reported reliably that the
student directory which has supported
him throughout had split.
Many of the students were described
as eager to abandon their part in the
government and return to classes,
Conditions in the interior. meantime,
remained for the most part quiet.
At Camaguey, however, the governor
was forced by revolutionary factions to
resign in favor of the students canol-
date, Fernando Barreto.
Striving to carry out the govern
ment's order against the bearing OF
arms by unauthorized persons. federal
soldiers searched automobiles on the
highways throughout the night.
Plans to Reorganize Army.
Col. Batista today disclosed sweeping
plans today for reorganizing his forces.
In an interview he outlined what he
termed an open hand" policy in mill
tary matters, including reductions in
expenses and the trials of army and
navy officers who surrendered to Bats
ta's men after commandment Of their
fortress" the National Hotel.
Nonchalantly he admitted that as
"starter" he had cut his own pay from
more than $1,000 month to $3.50.
The new army, the colonel said. will
have only l colonel, 2 lieutenant colo
nels and majors, compared to this
lineup in former President Machados
forces: One general, 2 brigadier gen.
Cl dLo, 4H SO4O1iC4o. - lASdeCLAebA4G SOAOAANAo
and ITO majors.
This charge, he estimated, will mean
a reduction in the Army budget from
S9,000,000 annually to s5,500,000 or
$6,000000
Holiday Observed.
Cuba observes her sixty-fifth "Grito
De Yara" today
The Battle Cry of Yara" raised at
the small Oriente Province town Octo-
Der 10, 1868, by Carlos Manuel de Ces-
pedes and his little group of followers
marked the opening of Cuba's long,
bitter fight for independence from
Spain.
A futile, hard-fought 40 years war"
that followed ended soon after Cespedes
himself was caught unarmed and alone
one night and killed by Spanish
soldiers.
Their leader gone, the rebel bands
fighting SPANS armies accepted terms
OF peace, and laid down their rifles and
machetes, to take them up again with
the outbreak in 1895 of another success
full war for freedom.
The "Grito De Yara" is one of Cuba'S
principal holidays, but the nations po-
litical troubles served to rob the day
of much of the luster 1t has had in the
past.