Evening star., 1952-04-21
Botisto Keeps Iron Hand on CuboHs Pulse
By Quentin R. Mott
.Star Sfaff CoErspondsnt

HAVANA, Cuba.-Five weeks after
the coup in which Gen. Batista deposed
President Carlos Prio Soccaras, the
people of Havana are becoming used to
operating under q complete suspension
of constitutional rule. Gen. Batista is
in control Of a provisional government
and the army backs it up. Armed guards
are in sight most Of the time. Every
military installation is heavily guarded
and traffic in and out is restricted.
It Is cooling of period after an
abrupt political change. Roberto Agra
monte, head Of the Orthodox party
which was sure Of majority vote in
the Cancelled June elections, has been
arrested seven times. The military takes
him in for questioning and releases him
the same day. Under the existing sys-
tenn. this could happen to any one, be-
cause civil rights are suspended.
While it would be unwise to voice op-
position, the CubanS have other ways of
indicating sentiment. They cheer the
deposed Prio when his picture. appears
in the newSreels. They laugh If YOU
ask when BatiSta will move to the palace.
He has said he will not be president.
The guide who takes tourists on the
trip to Moro Castle also has q quaint
way OF explaining the situation. Ordi-
narily soft-spoken. his voice booms above
the noise Of the surf when he takes a
party past soldiers guarding the landing
area. He says:
"Now want you to hear this. These
country have a revolution Is days ago.
The army is running it. We are under
what you call military rule. You can't
take any pictures. If you do these men
will throw you in Jail. It's not my fault.
So you wear your cameras but you don't
take pictures"
The coup was five weeks ago, but the
guide learned his piece that way and he
Is going to repeat it that way.
Once we are around the bend in the
rocky path, he changes his tune. Go
ahead and shoot" he says "they can't
see you, from here"
Getting to see high official in Cuba
even government press agents an
experience which few newspapermen' get
these days, and one likely to be remem.
bered by those who do get 1t. It hap
pened to me the other morning at 2:3O
O'Clock, to be exact. The object of the
'A'@S "OSo OSAAOA Ia A4COtO OC Id TGs uluISLGI
OF propaganda for the Batista regime.
IL wasn't easy to arrange. But it was
easier than seeing Gen. Batista.
Through the intercession Of Sonora
Maria Luisa Blanco. respected Havana
newspaper woman, and after q lot of
animated telephone calls to the ministry,
1t was finally agreed that an audience
would be granted the visiting Washing
ton Journalist. But said the minister. the
interview would have to be at 2:30 am.
The minister's Office is in the Pres
1dential Palace in downtown Havana.
There. is no president and the palace
. has no rightful occupant.
The taxi drove to the big iron gate
Three guards stood behind it. One had
a list OF names on sheet Of paper. The
other two had guns. Sonora Blanco had
been careful to see that both our names
were on the list, so we were admitted.
A short trip across the darkened court.
yard led to the second guarded door
Here were more men in uniform.
The Senora's purse was perfunctorily
inspected. Then the guard indicated that
was to raise my arms. I did So Deft
:, hands slapped my back pockets and side
was all right to enter. -
The room was filled with Office eouip-
ment. Desks. typewriters, mimeoeraph-
Ing machines. files and supplies were
everywhere. An attendant, who spoke
EngllSh, explained that the Office was
temporary and there was much confu-
sion: got q rickety swivel chair and
sat down.
Soon there came another member Of
the retlnue. who took my name and
ADDRESS and occupational data and con-
versed briefly with Sonora Blanco in
Spanish. He disappeared. A suave GENTLE
man Joined us to explain that the min
1Stry was not permanently located, that
Senor de Ia Fe was very busy man and
perhaps it would be better if framed
some questions which could be proposed
to the minister and answered more ef-
1ect1vely. 1would get to see Senior de Ia
Fe. he assured me.
oaShed Oh few questions on a tyne.
writer. using Office stationery which bore
the heading OF the Office, but no names
In Few more minutes we were ushered
into the minister's Office About 20 men
were standing around in groups, con-
Verslng. Senor de Ia Fe was Just dis.
missing MS current visitor. He came
across the room and shook hands, speak
ing perfect English. His dark hair and
white suit were rumpled but he was
youthfully energetic. even at that hour.
After the welcome, he explained that
ne was working 20 hours a day in the
ministry. Usually about am, he said.
he drove to the military city Of Column
bia on the outskirts of Havana for a
few hours rest.
Could the United States draw any
conclusions from the Batista COUP as
to future international relations?
Cuba would maintain without altera-
tion the existing friendly relations with
democratic nations. said Senor de la Fe.
If there were any trends, they would be
toward a major solidarity with the
United States and other American re-
publics.S Cuba would have nothing to do
with the dangerous politics sustained