Evening star., 1935-03-10
State of Siege Declared
After Two Are Killed and
Shots Daze City-Bombs
Are Heard.
EFFORTS TO CAPTURE
POLICE STATIONS TOLD
Cuban Delegate to Montevideo
and Other Prominent Men Ar.
rested-plot TO Sieze Control in
Darkened City Is Revealed.
Revolutionist Party Blamed.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
HAVANA. March 9.-Machine- gun
fire sprayed through the streets of
downtown Havana tonight as the
Mendieta government combated
general strike in scenes reminiscent
of the 1888 revolution days.
Combined forces of the army. navy
and police apparently beat down, for
the time being at least, what looked
like a revolution in the making
Two persons were killed. police re-
ported. At least six were wounded,
including two women, while more than
100 were jailed
A state Of siege was declared in Ha-
vana Province shortly after IL pm.
and it was learned similar steps would
be taken for other provinces.
The blasts of machine-gun fire
we're concentrated between Cabana
and La Punta fortresses after a gen.
eral call to arms was called at Ca
bana.
Attempt Coup in Dark.
Searchhghts played on roof tops
as army and navy gunners attempted
to pick of snipers. One report said
revolters had attempted to seize three
police stations in the heart of the
city, but that fire from the fortresses
prevented the coup.
Another report. unconfrmed. was
that it was an attempt to seize one
of the fortreSSes themselves
Bombs exploded at intervals in
other sections of the city and firing
was intermittent.
Much of the downtown section had
been plunged into darkness before the
firing became general Officials of
the Cuban Electric Co. said main
power lines had been cut.
Two of Havana's most beautiful
drives, we'll known to American tour
lists. the Prado and the Malecon drive.
were in the center of the whitening
fire which subsided shortly before IL
pm.
Four Bombs Explode.
Four bombs exploded in front Of
the Parkview Hotel, American owned,
but half block from the Presidential
Palace.
Two American passenger vessels
escaped the line of fire by only 10
minutes. They we're the Grace liner
Santa Rosa and the Ward liner
Oriente, which passed Cabana for
tress shortly before the outbreak
Although the shopping district was
in darkness. it was not in the firing
zone. Traffic jams resulted as po-
lice searched all automobiles for
weapons. BY midnight the streets
we're virtually deserted. however. as
the frightened citizens sought their
homes.
The cabinet went into an emer-
gency session shortly before mid
night.
Military Governor.
A military governor. Lieut.. COL
Jose PedraZa, was appointed after
establishment of the state of siege
Notices were plastered in public
places saying he can. among other
things, arrest any one he pleases.
with or without charges, and that
those arrested can be held at any
place PedraZa designates for any
length of time without the right OF
court trial
Police and soldiers made dozens of
arrests. Among those promptly picked
up we're Salvador MaSsip. former AM
bassador to Mexico, and Herminto
Portel Villa, Cuban delegate to the
last Pan-American Conference at
Montevideo. Both are members of
the Partido Revolucionario Cubano
(AuthenticoS).
A bomb exploded in front of the
Hotel Pasaje, few feet from eight
policemen. First reports said they es-
capped injury.
Shortly before President Carlos
Mendieta had warned that although
/ have never wanted to use my au-
thority as chief I am ready to DEM
onStrate it if necessary
This government is neither weak
nor vaccilating," the provisional Presi-
dent said. 1T is Just and upright and
I am willing to comply with my duty
because I am President; because am
the same Carlos Mendieta as always"
Pointing to the new trade treaty and
abolishment of the Platt amendment
as accomplishments of his government,
he asserted it cannot be interrupted
by a minority opposed to peace and
order"