The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-24

tial palace, where he issued q 5000.
word statement denouncing Col. Ba.
tista, former army sergeant who
seized power In 1888 In the Ser
geants' revolt" against the Cespedes
government, as dictator.
Criticized Army, Navy
DR.. Gomez criticized the army
and navy, which he said were con.
Stunning nearly one-third Of the en-
tire budget, and he suggested that II
would be better If Batista woulc
Openly become dictator" and save
governmental costs. IF, after gen
eral elections, the chief Of staff
continues installing and removing
presidents, commands congressman
this Is what my removal signifies
it would be preferable, more ex.
peditious, efficient, logical and sin.
cere for the reform apostle Of the
new era to install himself tr
the presidency" Gomez said. al
my efforts to give the people dem
ocratic government in line with IN
auguration promises have been USE
less"
Denied Going Abroad
The former president denied he
would 60 abroad and said that he
planed shortly to retire to his farm
mar Sancti Spiritus, in Santa Clara
province. Nov am private
citizen" he said. His impeachment
resulted in his clash with legislative
groups which wanted TO raise 81
100000 year for the support Of g.
600 army-controlled, army -instruc-
ted rural schools by a Q cents a bag
sugar tax. Gomez took the position
that a military group on lower ed
ucation would lead to Fascism.
Did Not Defend Himself
Gomez trial began at 4:l2 p. m
and ended at $3.50 p. m. He aban.
doned his original intention to ap'
pear personally with a vigorous de.
tense" as useless" Instead, HI
placed his defense In the hands o1
Senator Jose Manuel Gutierrez, q
staunch supporter and member o.
the republic action party which Co.
mez founded. A hitch occurred at the
outset when Senator Octavio RiyerC
announced his resignation as secre.
tary of the court Of Impeachment
1.-THE tribunal Is prejudiced," III
said, land the president lacks guar.
antees for a fair trial."
Trial Proceeded
The trial proceeded under thu
prosecution of board Of manager
from the house OF representative!
headed by Martinez Fraga. Thre,
legislators pressed the charges, ane
testified as to his attempts to coerc'
them. An attempt to cross-examin'
these witnesses by Sen. Gutiere,
was denied. Referring TO charge.
that DR.. Gomez had announced h
would veto the sugar tax bill before
1t was adopted by congress, Senator
Gutierrez recalled that Presiden
Roosevelt had promised to veto tn
soldiers bonus before congress pass.
ed it.
People Elected Him
1.-THE people Of that great NORTH
American democracy didn't depost
him but instead reelected him b.
a tremendous majority" he said.
The impeachment sentence camt
as an anti-climax to the politica
crisis which kept Cuba on edge foi
days. The document. issued by thu
senate, lengthily reviewed the trial,
procedure.
Congress was forced to take Thu
step In the interest Of the nation,
the official sentence Of impeach.
ment said. "Dr. Miguel Mariana Co.
meZ Yarias. president OF the repub-
lie. Is hereby declared guilty o.
tranSgression against the free func-
tioning Of legislative power and re.
moved from the presidency Of thu
republic, ceasing in office upon no.
tification herewith"