Evening star., 1953-12-05
Deposed Cuban Chief
Free on $4,000 Bail
In Arms Shipping Plot
BY the Associated Press

MIAMI, Fla, Dec. 5.-Cuba's
former President, Carlos Prio
Socarras. and his Interior Min
ister were free under heavy
bonds today on a charge Of
conspiring to export arms and
implements of war from the
United States without a license.
"The implication is quite clear
that these munitions were to be
used for revolution in Cuba"
said United States District Attor-
ney James L. Guilmartin.
Mr.. Prio. so. and Segundo
Curti. 43, his Interior Minister
until Fulgencio Batista over
threw his regime in a bloodless
coup on March 10, 1852, were
taken in custody at Mr.. Prio's
home-in-eXile here yesterday
following their indictment in
New York.
PriO Free on $4,000 Bond.
They were brought in by Dep
uty United States Marshal Jack
Peoples and booked and finger
printed at the Federal building.
Mr.. Prio was released under
$50,000 bond and Mr.. Curti on
$25 900 bond.
They were among nine persons
named in the indictment. Names
of the others were withheld
pending their arrest.
Five others were named in a
separate complaint filed here be-
fore United States Commissioner
Roger Edward Davis with con-
spring to ship 80 MI carbine
rifles to Cuba.
Three of them were brought in
by United States customs au-
thorities who said they, had
worked on the case since April,
1852.
They were booked as Jesse A..
Vickers, Sc, Miami Springs, de-
scribed by his attorney as in
the airplane business; Esren
Rudolfo Pichardo, 33, Miami,
and Marcus Diaz y LAM, 26, a
Cuban in this country on a visi-
tors permit.
Get Hearing on December IL.
Mr.. VickerS' bond was set at
$4,000 and the others at $4,000
each. Commissioner Davis set a
preliminary hearing for them
for December IL.
After posting bond, Mr.. Prio
issued statement in which he
denied the charge and said he
would fight it.
Mr.. Guilmartin requested $780,
600 bond for Mr.. Prio and said
the quantity Of arms and am
munition involved in the charges
was considerable"
State Representative Robert L.
Floyd, attorney for the two, said
Bondsman Murray Goldberg had
no authority to write a bond
over $4,000 and Mr.. Prio would
have to stay in Jail until he
could get the necessary money
when banks open Monday.
Under other circumstances"
Commissioner Davis told Mr..
Guilmartin, "a 100000 bond
would not be excessive. But it's
been our policy not to have peo-
pie in jail if they can post a
reasonable bond"
Cuba Revolt Anticipated.
Mr.. Prio, who returned to
Miami earlier this week from
Mexico City, said he would issue
"a full and complete statement
as soon as l am advised of the
specific charges"
The arrests came on the heels
Of unconfirmed reports that a
revolution had been scheduled in
Cuba next Monday. This is
Cuba'S national day of mourning
for dead patriots.
Mr.. Prio said he had complied
with recent Justice Depart
ment order that he register as a
foreign agent, He said he listed
as his foreign principal name
less unorganized groups in Cuba
seeking the restoration of liberty,
democracy and constitutional
government in Cuba"
Mr.. Curti said he had regis
tered similarly. He lived in a
modest bungalow near the spa.
cious home Mr.. Prio occupied in
Miami.
Both Mr.. Prio and Mr.. Curti
waved removal hearing. The
bonds are returnable in New
York, where the cases will be
tried.