Evening star., 1933-09-20
GRAU SAN MARTIN
GAINS IN PRESTIGE
President Strengthens Posi-
ton in Negotiations With
Opposing Factions.
BY COL. FREDERICK PALMER.

BY COL. FREDERICK PALMER.
BY Radio to The Star.
HAVANA. September 20 NANA).
-Disregarding the revolt of Capt.
Juan Bias Hernandez TN the Province
of Camaguey and the increased eco
nomic pressure, 1t appears that the
Grau San Martin government has
strengthened its position In the last
"a hours.
The addition Of another presidential
candidate Miguel Mariana Gomez, to
the factions trying to force the resig-
nation of Grau San Martin did not
prevent the final collapse Of their cam
paign, unless it is revived by still
another surprise, Of which the un-
fathomable Cuban politics is so pro-
life.
Ramon Grau, as he likes to be called,
has shown himself clever politician
during the negotiations between himself
and leaders Of the various groups op-
of the Students Directorate, who have
been going to a political school of their
own invention in the three years that
the high schools and university have
been closed, have won the present VIC
tory on technical points over veteran
Cuban politicians and the phalanx of
Cuba's leading lawyers who refused to
agree among themselves how to conduct
the case.
Stage Quick Demonstration.
It might be likened to youthful
campus politicians out-generaling the
old hands around city hall That Is,
with the qualifications that this is
Cuban politics, and at this fearfully
critical time the students had the
soldiers and police on their side.
Having heard about the Rotary Club
meeting of business men protesting
against the ruinous Grau San Martin
policies, about the drive by the op-
posing factions and the statements that
public opinion was turning against
their government, the students staged
demonstration on short notice. 1t
had no likeness to other student dem
onstrations for other reasons than that
other student bodies do have to follow
courses of study If only as sidelines
to other activities.
The groups formed at given points
and marched toward the presidential
palace. The placards they bore, aside
from association banners, were mostly
Down with the old politicians" They
had their cheer leaders and command
ers. Two boys led the group Of girls in
and the Cuban national anthem
There was no jesting, no frolicing.
All were very serious There Is no tell
ing how many in the crowd Of 5000
would qualify as students when any
body of high school and university age
can say he IS student. Many were just
joining a crowd.
Addressed by President.
But there they were, the power that
rules Cuba today, and among the lead
ers on the balcony of the presidential
palace who spoke to them was their own
Ramon Grau, eloquent in sonorous
Spanish. enforcing his points with pas
sionate gestures in an exaltation OF
fluency as the prophet who had taken
the place of the hated Machado and
temporizing De Cespedes. with the
power to execute their ideals.
He had beaten the coalition against
him He had told the factions, as !
had it from the leaders, that he thought
the delay of recognition of his govern
ment by the United States would only
strengthen it in the eyes of other ma
tions and the progressives Of the world.
And there, standing apart with their
khaki and rifles in sharp relief against
the white walls of the palace and the
tropical white clothes of the others,
were several Of former Sergt. Batista' s
soldiers.
The students and soldiers had it.
They had the old order down and they
voiced their triumph in frantic .ap-
plause.
Meanwhile a smoke screen has been
flung over Camaguey Province. Batista
was not at his headquarters, but was
said to be at Camp Columbia. Two
companies of infantry had preceded his
start If, as reported, he was on his way
to Camaguey by plane.
Known as Tough Hombre.
So Havana is experiencing a keen
rivalry among the experts in inventing
rumors. The government has control
of all communication wires. The head
quarters statement makes the situation
look very simple. Hernandez thought
he had authority from the government
to restore order in the district. But he
proceeded into action by organizing a
band whose conduct was quite unau-
thorized. Soldiers were being sent to
convince him Of his error and to win
him over peaceably.
Hernandez is known as q tough
homber, cattle rustler who went on
the warpath against Machado in 1881,
accepted the De Cespedes government
and has now turned against Grau San
Martin.
Will his band be reinforced by dis
affected soldiers Of Batista's army and
armed men representing factions op-
posing the present men in power? Will
other leaders rise, each for himself,
and start q rivalry of chieftains living
of the country, precipitating chaos
similar to that which followed the
downfall of Diaz in Mexico?
VIII the factions be able to unite
under the standard Of Erasmus Del
gado, one Of the leaders in the revolt
Of army officers which overthrew Ma
chado and who Is reported to be or
ganizing band Of former soldiers and
A. B. C.'s in the provincss? Will there
be a march en- Havanae which E..tiso.