The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-04-27
By Carleton BeaLs

as a weapon. The famous Crow
der election law has been uncon-
stitutionally set aside and no new
party can be formed. All public
assemblages have been forbidden
for years. No paper can print in
dependent opinion.
During his first two years. Ma
chado FASTENED to weed out all
army officers not loyal to himself.
Loyal officers were granted lavish
privileges. Even the common
soldier is the pet of the Machado
system, sand Cuban barracks have
become commodious clubrooms.
Every department of the govern
ment has its military supervisors.
In accordance with laws repeated
~ declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court, political offenders
are brought under military juris-
diction and If tried at all, are
court-martialled. Under the
strain Of attempting to uphold his
convictions against military usur-
patton, the President Of the SUI
preme Court, DR.. Jose Luis Vidaur-
reta, committed suicide. His sue
cessor soon resigned after denoun-
cling, 'sthe usurpation Of the con-
stitutionai life Of the country"
Through illegal manoeuvers.
President Machado was given an
additional six years in office
without the necessity of an cleo
ton. In his violation of the en-
tire legal system of Cuba, Ma
chado has had the opposition Of
every literate Cuban except the
army and a small clique on the
government payroll. Above all
the opposition of the students,
who began agitating against his
excuses. The government coun-
tered with violence. A gang Of
police entered the home of the
aged philosopher and patriot, DR..
Enrique Jose Varona, dean Of
Cuban letters, and beat up group
of students visiting him. Stimuli
taneousiy soldiers seized the Uni
versity. When in September,
1880, students organized parade
in honor Of DIR. varona. they were
ridden down from ambush by
mounted soldiers. Most Of the
professors who joined in the pa
rade have been In prison ever
since.
A few days later, 800 profess
sors met in the Engineering Col
lege to pledge sympathy to the
students in their fight for con-
stitutional government. All these
professors were Immediately dis
missed. The closing Of the Uni
versity followed. Today, the inn
posing buildings of the Univer-
sity or Havana are deserted.
The students Of high and nor
NAL schools, and Of the CONNER
cial and industrial schools, al
though some Of these institutions
had already been put under mili-
tary supervisors, continued to hold
meetings and distribute manifes-
tos. Then these institutions
were closed and the army swept
the students off the streets. High
school girls, even from the best
families In Havana, were dumped
into common criminal cells. When
grim Principe Castle was filled up
with students and professors,
many were sent % the Isle Of
Pines penitentiary. without trial.
Nos for more than two years Gu
ba has been deprived Of nearly
aII educational facilities A gene
eration Of cuba's youth viii grow
up in darkness, seh0oled only In
violence and murder.
For propaganda against Mach
ado. che student FIoro Perez. resi-
dent Of Santiago. along with hts
brother. Antenio. Juan Bantirsa
kapoles, ard . supposed Engiish
subject. WyeIiffe B. Erafton.
Grafton, IL nod from tie British
minfster, was released. But prior
to that, be, the tw0 hFptherss sad
Nspoles were bod inesmmans-