The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-08-12

stood, would be accepted at once and an agreed political leader would at once be made secretary of state and become acting pres ident.
 Machado's resignation was not expected, because this would ne- cessitate an immediate election un- der the constitution. There being no vice president, the secretary of state would take the leadership as provisional chief.
 Today's palace conference was set tentatively for between II a.. m. and noon.
 American Ambassador Welles seemed to have the confidence of all parties, and was mentioned in army communicates as q member of forces trying to restore normal government.
 He was up practically all night. At 5 a. m. today (4 .. m. EDT) he was reported in conference with Secretary of War Alberto Herrera and army and navy chiefs.
 Herrera. . Machado man. was the presidents own selection for secretary of state. The army turned him down.
 It was reported on reliable au- thority that early today he called army and navy chiefs of the dis trict together, told them that Ma chado already had signed a rc- quest for his vacation, to be sub mitted to the formal palace meet ing and that all cabinet members senior to himself had resigned. leaving his acting head of the state.
 The army men were said to have protested this at once.
 Ambassador Welles was said to approve of Herrera as a temporary appointee because if . really. popu. laf man were named. public re- joicing might be 50 exuberant as to bring disorders and bloodshed.
 At his 8 a. m. conference. Welles was reported to be arguing for Herrera as acting chief executive. with the idea that another man could be named later. So far he was said to have been unsuccessful.
 Ironically. 1t will be Machado's formal request for leave of absence that will name his successor, for 1t is understood that his request would be permitted to appear voluntary act of patriotism.
 Machado. tall, heavy. spcctacled. went down to defeat gallantly and gracefully. He fought stubbornly every inch of the way.
 His troubles began last week when omnibus drivers went on taxes, but what really was the be. ginning of a passive revolution. Other workers followed. The country xyaa nara lyZed.
 Ambassador Weiles. who weeks ago had successfully initiated nego- tiations between the government and opposition parties to end the long troubled political situation, realized that Machado must go and proposed that he ask for . vaca-
 Machado haushtiiy declined. He believed he could depend on the army. He said he would offer counter proposal.
 Suddenly the army took control. swiftly, efiiciently, without the slightest disorder.
 Machado learned revolt had broken out at several forts. He sent War Minister Herrera to Co., lumbia barracks, the central army post, to investigate. and ordered guns mounted hIOuK tuo haSSH~ prado commanding Fort Cabanas, across the bay.
 Herrera went to. Columbia. He was held virtually . prisoner Tor an hour, until he promised he would persuade Machado to get out. He returned to the palace. Machado still was adamant. He decided to go to Columbia himself. confident that by personal appeal he could win the revolting ofncers. He failed and returned to Havana.
 He had been irrascible and in- patient for days, because of the nervous strain of the crisis. In de- feat he left c0lumbia calmly, his head up. ell seemed If anything to be relieved.
 Army chiefs used the Columbia deid station to broadcast messages 10 the public. The first said:
 The political trouble will be solved by noon tomorrow"
 The ordinary man knew little or the dramatic sequence Of events. shops and cafes were closed. The city was almost focdiess and no tobacco was available. Most people remained indoors. A few small groups were in the central park in front of the capitol. hoping fer news.