Evening star., 1950-10-31
Puerto Ricans
Open Drive 10
Smash Rebels
National Guurdsmen
And Planes Attack
Stronghold of Revolt
BY the Associated Press

- wv TNss~@'A'Se 'SsS
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Oct.
31.-National Guard forces, de-
termined to smash remaining re-
sistance of United States hating
rebels, drove insurrec-
zionist forces out of their strong
hold at Jayuya today in a COM
bined attack by strafing planes
and troops.
The government troops began
up pockets in Jayuya,
center of the Nationalist revolt
which erupted yesterday, and sent
spearheads toward Utuado. about
10 miles to the West, where a
force of about go or 10 die-hard
Nationalists were dug in.
The casualty toll for the upris-
ing-worst in the islands history
rose today. 1t was difficult toI
estimate the number of dead and
wounded. Latest reports indicated
the figure for both sides at about
80 dead and Is wounded, but it
may be higher.
Attackers Well Equipped.
Jayuya. about so miles south
west of San Juan, was the scene
OF some of the bloodiest of the
fighting in the rebellion, which
the Governor of Puerto Rico said
was conspiracy helped by the
Communists. The Nationalists.
who often echo the Communist
line. want the United States to
give full independence to this
territory of 2 million people.
The revolt f1ared in more than
10 centers on the island. includ-
ing San Juan, where 1900 troops
stood by today for action wherever
they might be needed.
The government forces opened
their attacks on Jay:ya and Utua-
do early this morning. Eight
fighter planes strafed the two
towns before they were ordered
by the insular police chief to stop.
The ground forces were equipped
with machine guns. bazookas and
tanks.
Guard Detachment Besieged.
Before radio communications
We're temporarily broken, a mes
sage from Utuado said guard
and police detachment was be-
sieged in the police station there.
Gov. Luis Munoz Marin, an
nouncing that Jayuya now was in
control of national guards and
police. said the whole Nationalist
rebel movement would be finished
in a DAY or two.
The rebel forces in Jayuya re-
portedly were led by Juan Antonio
Corretjer, principal aide of Har-
vard-educated Pedro Albizu Cam
pos, the Nationalist Party chief.
At Ponce, where violence yes
terday gave the signal for the
revolt, six Nationalists were ar
rested and each was charged with
numbering two policemen. District
Attorney Antonio Garcia said a
captured Nationalist confessed a
full-scale revolt was scheduled for
the eve of the November 4 regis
tration for a vote on the Lew
constitution, which the National
lists oppose.
Red Participation Feared.
National Guard officers esti-
mated that the strength of those
operating under Nationalist lead
ership was from $500 to 1000
armed men. They added that the
Communists could be expected to
grab any opportunity to keep
things boiling on this island now.
Gov. Luis Munozmarin, target of
one attack on the Governors pal
ace in San Juan yesterday, said
the rebellion was a conspiracy
against democracy helped by the
Communists" !
Fighting broke out in the town
of Mayaguez. where police head,
quarters was attacked. A police
man was reported killed in the
initial attack which was fol-
lowed by a battle between Nation
alist and police forces in the public
park.
The area around Albizu Cam
pos home in San Juan resembled
an armed camp. Police and
guardsmen surrounded the house
and were waiting for a warrant
before going in to drag out the
63-year-old Nationalist leader. He
advocates complete independence
from the United States and once
served six years in the peniten-
tiary at Atlanta, for insurrection.
Shots fired from the windows
of his home had kept police at
bay so far.
Police and guardsmen patrolled
San Juan and kept strong guards
at all bridges and public build
ings.