The Washington times., 1933-09-09
TROOPS LEAVE
At REQUEST
Of WELLES
Army Officers Take Refuge in
Same HssteIry; Fears Are
Quieted
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nG ScISSdI1Go "A1O ACu Vic AZ
volt putting the junta into power
announced they were prepared
and empowered to hold the junta
In office until constitutional
convention can be held.
Regardless of reports, the junta
still was in power. The army still
was loyal to it.
Mexico Takes Lead
The position of the junta
throughout the island was con.
Siderably strengthened by the &C.
ton Of Mexico in extending its
virtual recognition.
The junta expected a dozen
more Latin-American countries to
follow Mexico's lead and proclaim
recognition within the next 48
hours. This would increase the
junta's hold on the people.
The junta, however, was striv-
ing desperately for American
recognition. It was agreed on all
sides that if the United States
recognizes the governing body, it
can rule until a constitutional
convention meets and acts, or un.
til elections are held.
The junta realizes that Ameri-
can Ambassador Sumner Welles
is blocking recognition and is
keeping emissaries running to
him.
Welles showed his opposition
to the junta by his appeals for
the naval display. This served
at first virtually to unite the ma
ton behind the junta, as the peo-
pie hate American intervention,
or the thought Of it, worse than
any local political situation.
Reversal Of Policy
It created a terrific tension on
the island, with groups on the
street corners being harangued
to shed blood to prevent the
landing of Americans, and the
women volunteering to be the
first to die to keep alien troops
off Cuba soil.
This outburst Of national feel
Ing was followed by a ralpable
reversal of American policy, pre-
sumably at the suggestion OF
WeueS.
The Hull and Swanson state
ments assuring American met
trality" and the prompt depart
ure of the cruiser Indianapolis.
hearing Swanson to Panama,
served to placate the national
sentiment.
Numerous reports were current
throughout the night that troops
planned to attack and arrest the
officers at the hotel. The officers
mounted machine guns for their
own protection.
The sergeants at the palace
hotly denied that any attack was
planned. They declared they had
offered the officers guarantees
of life and property and also a
return Of their Jobs.
Disorders Outside
The populace was quiet, there
being less disorders than at any
other tim, in years.
Report were current that the
ABC had overthrown the army
in Matanzas Province. but this
was denied.
There were many conflicting
rumors about the situation In
other provinces, but there was no
confirmation.
Ambassador Welles braved ma
chine-guns and nervous, heavily
armed troops to rush to the Ma
tional Hotel by motor car late
last night in the interests Of hun
dreds Of Americans crowded there
for safety
Also in the hotel were 200 Of
the depoSed army officers They
had held a lengthy meeting at
which they voted unanimously
not to support the ruling junta.
They believed they faced arrest
II they should return to the army
in the present crisis. The SER
geant leaders rushed troops and
machine-guns to the hotel with
orders to search the building and
return the officers.
Speaks to troops
At this point many If the Amer
lean residents of the hotel became
panicky. A rush telephone call
was put into the embassy. Welles
appeared upon the scene immedi-
ately.
He addressed the Cuban troops
in Spanish. They had ceased
their activity with his appearance,
and with his speech they became
orderly.
In an instant the revolutionary
headquarters rushed an order for
the soldiers to withdraw, which
they did Immediately.
The tension Immediately re-
laxed, and some Of the 'calmer
Americans turned in for nights
rest.
The army officers, regarding
themselves as victorious, pre-
pared for an apparent long stay
in the hotel. which looks out over
the harbor where the American
cruiser Richmond and two de-
Gsroyers lay at anchor.