The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-04-07
NOW
CubdnS FrOu,f1
On Colony
DICTATORSHIP
Rx HELEN EsSARY

Schenck, movie magnate and
song publisher, has been IN Ha'
vana for the past week trying to
persuade the Cuban government
to allow $4,000 German Jews to
settle in their country.
The Cuban government, now
shutting down on immigration, is
not understood to be favorable to
the plan. This great crowd OF
Jews, unhappy in Nazi Germany
because of the anti+Semitic feel
ing there would make a powerful
settlement in Cuba.
The plan Of Mr.. Schenck and
Of Representative Sirovich, OF
New York, who previously con-
suited with the Cuban govern
ment on the prospect for whole
sale migration, is to set up Ger
man-Jewish colony on the island.
Cuban authorities feel that the
population and geographical lin
itations are too small to absorb
such an influx of aliens.
They think a gradual but GER
tain change in the nationality
and personality of the island
would result.
Cuba is anxious to preserve
Cuba for Cubans and people Of
Spanish blood. The large Ameri-
can colony is respected. Uncle
Sam is the godfather of Cuban
liberty. His present protection is
as necessary to Cuba as sunshine
and rain. The American AmbaS-
sador Is Number One Boy in
Cuba.
But other foreigners are not
welcome here. The government
is deporting Haitians and ia
maicans, as fast as it can find
excuses to send them home.
Cuba, as said before, Is for
Cubans. No man or woman not a
citizen thereof can find legal en-
ployment on the island.
In some respects Cuba is farther
advanced in social legislation than
Sk4IUCO SVebOOCs
BY law, every citizen pays to the
government 81 month for hos
pital and medical care. This en-
titles him to the services Of the
islands best physicians, room and
treatment in hospitals, and dental
treatment. .
Not long ago, Havana doctors
and, nurses went on a strike be-
cause those who could afford to
pay for outside sick care were TAX
ing advantage of this arrangement
meant for poor people.
For one week, doctors refused
calls. No patients were received
in hospitals. Pharmacists refused
to fill prescriptions. No ambulances
changed down the streets in search
of accident sufferers. Only o few
doctors slipped into back entrances
at night to see the desperately III.
The strike was successful. The
rich sick decided to leave the gov
eminent hospitals to the poor.
Colonel Batista, head Of the
Cuban army, is the man OF the
hour in Cuba. He's the dictator
of the island. The benevolent die
tator, most CubanS think.
When Batista stepped into
power three years ago the island
was in chaos. The student Com
munist rebellion had closed the
schools, killed hundreds, and put
fear and misery into many hearts.
BatiSta was sergeant. He saw
the inefficiency Of his superior Of
ficers. He had been o very poor
boy. He had lived in a thatched
hut In an unproductive part of the
island. He knew what it was to
be hungry and wretched.
If people had enough to eat and
wear and a chance at the decent
sort of life the rich take casually
they would behave well, Batista de-
cided.
AS greater authority has come
to him he has used it wisely.
One of his triumphS has been
the opening Of schools, closed for
three years. The University Of
Havana is just beginning consecu-
tive classes after six idle years.
I saw the great Batista at din
ner at the Hotel National tonight.
He looks like MusSolini in a way.
His face and body have the same
great strength and determination.
His skin is dark-his blood IS
mixed-there's probably a dash Of
Chinese or Indian in him His fea-
lures are clearly cut, with power
full Jaw. He has thick black hair,
deep expressive eyes and a smile
that captivates. They say he has
great charm-like Mr.. Roosevelt
that he Is a fine speaker, and
vet a simple man who taxes his
honor easily, and avoids the snareS
of society.
Batista is nominally a Catholic.
with his wife and two children
he lives in q comfortable but not
nalatial house in the army camp.
This army camp he himself de-
veloped, It IS on a hill outside
TJayana and spread out over many
acres. Every soldier has a clean,
well-built house and garden for
himself and his family. There are
headquarters and recreation rooms
for the staff and enlisted men
and a great drill field and re-
Viewing stand. Before BatiSta, ]
understand, the army lived in huts
and was glad to get them.
One Of my pleasantest expert