Evening star., 1950-11-02

roundup touched off by the Puerto
Rican revolt and the attempt in
Washington on the life of Presi-
dent Truman. Scores of others
were falling into the government
net.
Pedro Albizu Campos, president
of the Nationalists, breathed de-
Complete independence Is Goal Of Puerto
Rico Notionolists. Poee A.
fiance. Clad in blue pajamas and
bedroom slippers. his face streaked
with tears caused by police tear
gas bombs used in his capture, the
leader insisted his role
in the bloody events of this week
was a glorious one.
The government, convinced that
Communists helped spark the two
day revolution in this island ter
ritory of the United States. vowed
to round up all important Com
munists as well as Nationalists.
BY noon they had 130 or more per-
sons in the net and the hunt was
continuing.
Red Link TO Revolt Seen.
Gov. Luis Munoz Marin, the
first elected chief executive of the
island, expressed himself as now
certain that the Communists were
involved in the uprising. The at
tack on President Truman in
Washington. he said, made it clear
there was connection between
these criminal Nationalist acts of
the last few days and the Com
munist policy in the world"
Albizu Campos was routed from
his besieged home early this morn
ing with tear gas bombs and sur
rendered with his bodyguard. He
staggered down from the second
story of his home, tears stream
ing down his face, screaming that
he had been blinded.
But in Jail. he recovered some
OF his composure. and when re-
porters came. he had this to say:
Greetings. I appreciate your
visit. The fatherland is going
through its glorious transfigura-
tion in complying with my his
toric responsibilities. I believe it
is my duty not to make any fur
ther statements"
Poses for Pictures.
At first he refused to pose for
pictures. but then he consented.
The party strength Of the Ma
tionalists Is estimated at anywhere
between 400 and 1,500 members, q
minute proportion OF the voters of
the island territory whose people
are United States citizens.
District Attorney Angel Viera
Martinez said Albizu Campos Is
held for investigation. No charge
will be filed until the investiga-
ton is complete.
For a time after the arrest of
Albizu Campos, San Juan was vir-
tually under a state of siege, but
the city gradually returned to
normal this afternoon. Police had
blocked roads in their hunt for
Nationalists and Communists and
required special police passes for
those going through the lines.
The Nationalist president had
been besieged in his home since
Monday.
Police Grill Leaders.
Albizu Campos and other Ma
tionalist and Communist leaders
were whisked to police headquar-
tiers for intensive questioning. It
was learned that some 900 Ma
tionalists and Communists in all
were to be rounded up, 800 of them
in the metropolitan San Juan
area.
Before noon, 130 Nationalists
and Communists already had
been rounded up, the police an
nounced. A search of the Albizu
Campos home. they said, un-
covered numerous documents
and lists" three cases of ammuni-
ton and three guns. The Govern
ment predicted the roundup
would be completed within two
days.
Among those arrested were:
The Communist Party presi-
dent. Cecil Andreu Iglesias.
The Communist Party Secre-
tary, Juan Santos Rivera.
raraetLnak 49,