The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-09-06
PORTELA, CUBA'S NOMINAL
. PRESIDENT WELL KNOWN in
HENDERSONVILLE CIRCLES
Has Spent Seven Months in City to Reeuperate His
Health Following Escape From Political Imprison-
ment; Expressed View Cuba in for More Trouble
When He Left Here for Havana
By J. T. FAM, JR.

Df. Gulllermo +. POfCela, NOM
inal president of Cuba, is we'll
known in Hendersonville and has
many friends here where he spent
five months last winter and about
two months this summer just be-
fore he returned to Cuba on the
overthrow of the Machado regime.
DR.. Portela came to Hender-
sonville after spending eight
months on the Isle of Pines as a
political prisoner and effecting
an escape from Cuba. At that
time his health was greatly inn
paired by his imprisonment and
he came here primarily for his
health. After five months here
he went to New York and Wash
ington where he conferred with
other. exiled leaders, and later he
returned here.
Not actively, at first, connect
ed with the opposition to Mach
ado DR.. Portela was nevertheless
considered by Machado as a po-
litical enemy. The doctor was
greatly admired and loved by his
students of the University Of
Havana. they frequently met at
his home, and the administration
gained the impression that he
was active against the govern
ment. 'r ..l. ,
For this reason he was seized
and sent to prison. No charges
were preferred and he was never
brought to trial. Friends secur-
ed his release and a military pass
following him to leave the coun-
try. This pass was later revoked
just after he sailed from Cuba.
A conversation is recalled on
the eve of his departure for Cuba
after the overthrow of Machado
on which occasion he said that he
was afraid that the fires of
hatred kindled in opposition to
Machado would not easily be put
out, and he feared that Cuba was
in for much more trouble before
the situation cleared up.
He personally expressed the
hope that the past would be for
gotten and that Cubans would all
unite for the common good of
their country. Personally he held
no. animosity for Machado.
During his stay here he fire.
quently expressed great regret at
the course of affairs in Cuba. He
deplored the mob violence used
by the administration and by GER
tain groups of the revolutionists.
He particularly deplored the
deaths of so many of "his boys"
as he referred to the students,
! and, on the occasion of his de-
parture, he said that he hoped it
was at an end, adding that 1872
of the university students had
lost their lives in the revolution.
DR.. Portela is not politician
and never before took an active
part in the politics of his coun-
try. When Machado was over
| thrown he was called over tele-
phone by his students and asked
to return Immediately. On that
occasion he said that he knew not
what he could do, that he was
not a political leader, but that
his duty was to Cuba and that he
! could do nothing but return.
| He is a man of deep convic-
ton, as is evidenced by the fact
that he was willing to undergo
| Imprisonment and exile as a mat
ter of principal. Above all he is
man of deep patriotism. His
chief concern while staying here
was not over his own condition
but for the welfare of his coun-
try. He is level-headed and alb
solutely opposed to violence in
any form.
As nominal head of his coun-
try's government it may be ex-
pected that he will devote his
whole energies to working for
the good of his country. He may
fail, but it will not be for lack
of effort on his part. His. friends
here wish him success in his eff
forts to solve his country's prob
lens.