Evening star., 1938-11-12
|CoI. Batista Honored
Al Co|orfuI Review
By Fort. Myer Forces
Cubun Places Wreath
On Tomb of Unknown
Soldier Before Event

SSbobSI NSb0IS GVCHl
With flags waving, the officers and
soldiers at Fort Myer today gave
Col. Fulgencio Batista, chief of Gu
bas constitutional army, a display
of the United States military might.
Three times around the great dirt
parade ground at the fort went the
men of the Sd Cavalry, the 10th
Field Artillery and a colored ma
chine gun troop of the 10th Cavalry
at walk, trot and gallop.
Col. Batista. the Cuban dictator,
stood beside Gen. Malin Craig. the
United States Army's chief of staff,
in the front of a little green re-
vising stand on the edge of the field
and watched the show Gen. Craig
invited the colonel to Washington
Brig. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright,
commandant of Fort Myer. led his
troops past the stand the first time,
and then dismounted to join the
party in the reviewing stand.
The cavalry band played martial
music from mid-field throughout the
review. while the drummers horse
kept time with his forefeet.
Occasion Is COiOrfuI.
1t was a colorful occasion. The
Stars and Stripes. the red and white
banners of the cavalry and the red
and gold banners of the artillery
whipped in the breeze.
The color guard Of the Sd
Cavalry, one of the most famous
and oldest outfits in the United
States Army. wore the blue, white
and red uniforms which were Off
cial Army garb 100 years ago.
The officers went by with their
swords drawn. The flags were
dipped when they were brought past
Col. Fulgencio. who, a trim. swarthy
figure in his tight olive drab uni
form. saluted smartly at the proper
times.
A 16-inch gun salute greeted the
colonel's party at Fort Myer shortly
after 10 am, as the official pro-
cession, preceded by eight motor
cycle policemen, drove out of the
Arlington National Cemetery.
The colonel placed Wreaths of
red and white carnations at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and
at the Maine Monument before he
appeared at Fort Myer.
Name on Wreaths.
Each wreath carried a wide white
satin ribbon on which was stamped
in gold letters: Col. Batista'
Gen. Craig and party of officers
met the colonel and his party. which
included Ambassador Fraga of Cuba
at the Arlington Amphitheater, be-
hind which is the Tomb.
Another 16-gun salute marked
the colonel's departure from Fort
Myer. This afternoon he goes to
Mount Vernon. Tonight he is to be
entertained at dinner at the Sui
grave Club by Undersecretary of
State Welles and at a reception
at the Cuban Embassy by Ambas-
sador Fraga.
Tomorrow he leaves Washington
for New York, from where he re-
turns Monday to Cuba This is
his first visit away from Cuba.
Talks With President.
The Cuban leader met President
Roosevelt at the White House yes
terday afternoon. Mr.. Welles acted
as interpreter. because the colonel's
English is meager.
Asked later if he and Mr.. Roose-
welt had discussed the possible
establishment of American Army
and air bases in Cuba, Col. Batista
said this was not mentioned.
However, Cuba, being a small
country, has much interest in mu-
tual protection in the Western Hem
isphere, and would look with favor
on any measure toward that end not
compromising its sovereignty" he
said.
Gen. Pershing arrived at the Exec
utive Mansion to pay his respects to
the President just as the Cuban
Army leader was concluding a half
hour chat with Mr.. Roosevelt.
Gen. Pershing was saying good-by
in advance of his departure tomor-
row for San Antonio, Tex, where
he served as a fledgling officer
half century ago. Later he will 60
to Tucson, Ariz.. to spend the win
ter. Pershing was major during
the Spanish American War, which
liberated Cuba, before Col. Batista
was born.
President Turns QuestiOner.
Reversing the usual role of a
White House visit, President Roose-
welt turned questioner and asked
the Cuban visitor about condi-
tions and Improvements in Cuba.
Col. Batista rose to power in Cuba
few months after the President
entered the White House.
Col. Batista said later the Presi-
dent showed a keen knowledge of
slum clearance, education and
other social legislation in the island
republic.
The President and Col. Batista,
the power behind the Cuban Presi-
dent, then turned to a discussion of
Cuban n-American and New World
problems, talking generally. about