davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10

CUBA'S POLITICAL TRAGEDY

Undeniably, the Cuban nation lives now through a
sOrrOwfuI chapter of its history, facing a situation that has
all the characteristics of a true political tragedy. Inc
open and determined struggle between large opposition
sectors and the Government has developed into a fight
which bleedS the country and impairS all activities In
whichever way they mean progress and well being.
The political nature of the regime, whose authority
fundamentally originated in the coup of March IL, 1852,
determines this Institutional crisis, which the great majority
tOf the people reject, because the Cuban loves liberty and
wishes to live and enjoy the advantages of democracy.
In the past few years, particularly during 1887 ana
during the current year, the whole island has been the
stage of bloody events, of prosecutions primitive in form
and consequences. 1t is no exaggeratiOn to say that IN
Havana, as well as in the other provinces of the country,
quillity, of peace and order, even if some commercial and
social activities still go on. 1t the middle of such political
confusion, of constant preparation of acts of violence by
both the opposition and the Government, the necessary
feeling of public assurance, of respect to the property and
the dignity of the individual, cannot exist in Cuba. 1t is
not the case of a minor alteration OF public order, but one
of sustained rebellion of many sectors against the Govern
ment, and in which the official response has always been
in tintS of violent repression and measures that could
hardly lead to the patriotic solution of the problem.
" 1t is no secret that i'm Cuba the situation that prevails
is absolutely abnormal and offers no hope for an early
return of tranquility, unless there Is a more or less radical
change in the political rolls of the country, especially in
what pertains to the Government AS is known, the Op-
position forces demand the immediate change of the pub
lie authorities, and the total eradication of all traces of
BatiSta influence in the spheres of government.
For those who have respect for liberty, to whom
democracy offers the only reasonable form of Government,
who admire and love the noble Cuban nation, the present
state of affairs in Cuba is mighty Saddening. Everyone in
America wishes to see the generous land OF Marti emerge
successfully from the present crisis, with the republican
institutions ~rightfully restores.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
NEWSMEN TAKEN
ON PRISON TOUR

In Havana, police took a number
of american newSmen including
John T. Sicily of the United
Press on a tour of prisons and
captured rebel hideouts intended
to offset "the lies printed in your
papers.
The newSmen were shown a
printing plant which police said
had been turning out 'war bonds"
for the communists and for Fidel
Castro'S rebels.
They also were allowed to talk
to a number of prisoners, includ-
ing Luis A. Martin, who said he
had been a communist for 20
years. Martin told the newsmen
that the reds an the rebels are
working together against Presi-
dent Fulgencio Batista.
Martin, who said he had visited
Moscow and various other iron
curtain capitals, said the party
paid him $120 a month to hand
out rebel literature and offer pro-
paganda aid to the insurgents.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Washington Visit
Result Satisfies
Chilean Deputies

WASHINGTON, - CUP). - A
delegation of Chilean Deputies left
for Dallas, Texas, after a week
visiting government officials, Con-
gresham, and Diplomats, and they
said they were very satisfied for
the franknesS in which they dis
cusSed the economic and financial
problems of their country.
All the members of the group
said they have noticed a sincere
interest on the part of the Amer
lean officials to solve the economic
crisis that Latin America faces as
a result in the price drop of ba-
sic products.
The Chilean Deputies declared
that they left very we'll impressed
for the liberty of criticism among
the various branches of the gov
eminent of the us.
They also praised the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties for
the ways in which they cooperate
in matters as the foreign aid and
the economic depression in this
country.
Hector Correa Letelier, Presi
dent Of the Deputies Chamber
said:
81 believe our talks have contri
buted to the mutual comprehen
sion, both in the political as in the
economic. We leave with a better
understanding of the genuine dem
ocratic leadership of the United
States.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10

Domiciano Soto, of the World
Labor Federation, leftist, asked if
creation Of a regional market
would not be a capitalist solution.
affirming that workers should par
ticipate in ECLA's work, with the
right to vote.
The Secretariat pointed out
that only the governments have
vote within the organization, &C.
cording to the bylaws.
Soto spoke for a long time about
the depression in the Unite d
States, and said that it is fortunate
that Chile, Argentina and other
nations are trying to intensity their
trade with the communist coun-
tries.
Chile and Colombia submitted a
motion reflecting in part the fear
of the labor representatives, in the
sense that the Secretariat, in its
work, takes into consideration the
workers viewpoints. The reSolu-
ton was approved.
1t considers that ECLA's work
is oriented mainly in the economic
and social field, and says that for
that reason it is of special i'm
portance for workers, and, as a
consequence, it is convenient that
their viewpoints are taken into
consideration by the committee.
Ratification by the government
on the studies made until now to
establish the basis for the Latin
American regional common
market, is of special importance
for ECLA, which now will be able
to dedicate its maximum efforts
to the matter.
The second meeting of experts
which has already formulated
twelve points for the establish
ment of the market is scheduled
for the end of this year, and ii
is possible that then a final draft
is approved, to be submitted to
the consideration of the govern.
mentS.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
MEXICAN TRYING TO
AVERT w STRIKE

MEXICO CITY. (UP). - Nego'
tiations were resumed here be-
tween the Mexican Electrical
Worketrs' Union and the Mexican
Light and Power Company over
economic clauses of the workers
proposed new contract. The union
has threatened to strike tomorrow
if an accord is not reached, leav'
ing the center of the republic
without light or power.
Discussions broke down Satur
day when the union held to it,
demand of a 40 hour week. Unior
representative Agustin Sanchez
Delint conceded that the 40 houl
week would cost an added $50, 00(
yearly to the company, but sale
this was nothing considering Me
xican lights gross annual income
of $50, 100000.
The workers have asked a Az
hour work week, a company II
nanced housing program, retire
ment with total pay, and full pa,
for vacations instead Of the pre-
| sent 70 per cent.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Shooting Breaks Out in Downtown
as Bomb Explosion Near
Minister Office Causes BIackout
Rebels Invade Radio station, Force
AnnOUncers to Soy "strike is on"

Reinoso in Camagiiey. These re-
ports said the insurgents captur-
ed some arms at Cascorro, but no
further details were available.
In Santiago, long a center of
rebel violence, a blast believed
to have been caused by sabotage
wrecked two warehouses belonging
to the American-owned Cuban Air
Products Company. A Waterman is
missing and three passersby were
slightly injured.
The two buildings, used to store
cylinders of gas intended for me-
dical or industrial use, were a
total loss. Exploding cylinders of
hydrogen, oxygen and acetylene
gas hurtled several hundred feet
through the air like missiles, and
a steel door was hurled onto a
roof top 80 feet away.
Cuban Air Products compress
sion plant in Santiago was des-
troyed several weeks ago by rebel
arSonistS.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Decision 10 Establish a Latin
Common Market Ratified
by All The American Governments

SANTIAGO, Chile. (UP).-The
American governments, including
that of the United States, unani-
mously ratified a decision to
create a Latin American common
market, and recommended to the
Economi Commission for Latin
America (ECLA), to give priority
and the greatest possible impulse
to the studies it is realizing with
that purpose.
ECLA's committee ended its
days of sessions here with the APP
proval, without discussion, of a
motion submitted by Chile on the
matter.
During the last session, repre-
sentativeS of the labor organiza-
tons recognized by the United
Nations the World Labor Fede-
ration and the International Con
federation of Christian Unions
expressed fear about possible I'M
favorable consequences for the
workers with the creation of the
regional market.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
ONLY LATIN AMERICA
HAS MILITARY CARS
EISENHOWER DECLARES

WASHINGTON. (UP). = Presi-
dent Eisenhower meeting the Press
today said that in these modern
times til were not military
Cars. certain Latin American
countries excepted.
He made the statement denying
that in his program Of military
reorganization for the United
States, there was no sign that the
Secretary of Defense could turn
into a military Gar.
In the course of the discussion,
the President said he would like
to say something about what ne
considered common deceit regard
ing the danger of the military
leaders to change to Cars.
Modern history Cars have not
been military leaders, he said, en-
cept in certain Latin American
countries.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Cuban Consul in
Caracas Resigns

CARACAS, (UP). - The Cuban
Consul in this city, Jose Rodri-
guez Valdes, resigned stating his
health condition is not good and
because of the political situation
of his country.
81 have a bad heart, he said,
and l, am very discouraged with
the last events in my country.
He sent a cablegram to Havana
Government resigning, after 1C
years as first class Consul in Ca
racas.
His daughter, Carmen Teresa,
who was a Civil Attache in the
Cuban Embassy in Venezuela, also
resigned declaring "she was moi
in agreement with Batista's pc
Icy.
Rodriguez was visited by the 1t
of July Group after his decision
was known.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
HEMISPHERE EVENTS
DOMINICAN NEWSMAN
GRANTED ASYLUM

BOGOTA, (UP). = The Colon
bian government sent orders to
the Embassy in Cuba to grant po-
litical asylum to Dominican news
paperman Pablo Martinez, who is
Havana maintaining he is perse-
cuted by the Dominican Republic
Government.
Martinez was arrested days ago
by the Cuban police, according to
reports received by the National
Press Commission, which initiated
steps before the Government for
asylum.
The Commission was informed
that the Cuban police tortured
Martinez and that it is intended
to deliver to the Dominican Gov
eminent.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Four More Cuban
Airline Pilots
Seek US. Asylum
BY UNITED PRESS

Four more Cuban airlines pilots
sought political asylum in the us.
after flying a GAG cargo plane
here from Havana in a daring
escape.
Capt. Fuasto Gomez, leader of
the group, said he talked a
Cuban army major into releasing
the Espresso Aero cargo plane
on the pretext that it was needed
for a training flight.
eve had the planes two en-,
gines going full blast until we
saw Florida. Then we relaxed,
said Gomez.
Some 26 Cuban commercial pi-
lots have now sought asylum in
Miami since April 3, when they
say they were ordered drafted
into the Cuban air force to fly
guns from the Dominican Repub.
lie into their ~strife-torn country.
Capt. Gomez said he and his
three co-pilotS were the last Elk.
presso Aero rev members in
Cuba, and their plane was the
company'S last remaining craft,
They took off from Columbia
military field, near Havana, Tues
day afternoon, and arrived al
Miami international Airport about
S p. m. The co-pilots included
Humberto Blanco, Domingo To
res, and Fernando Alvarez.
Before they left, Gomez said
they were kept under constant
surveillance by cuban govern
ment officials. Gwen when l went
to the beach with two girls, the
police put on bathing suits ano
followed, he said.
He added that the Cuban all
force had fighter planes at Co.
lumbia field.
"But," Gomez said, 81 radioed
them that this was a local train
ing flight and they did not bother
u.s..
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
MEXICO
POWER

MONTERREY, Mexico. (UP).-
The "Grupo Industrial" power
generating company will invest 40
0O0, 600 pesos ($3, 200, 000) in a
project to add 500, 900 XIV to its
present generating capacity of H.,
600 XIV.
Work is proceeding as fast as
possible with the aim of complet-
ing the project before the end of
the year, officials said.
The new plants will 60 a long
way toward solving the power
shortage faced by industrial plants
in this manufacturing center of
northern Mexico, "Grupo Indus
trial" officials said.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10

PHILADELPHIA, (UP). - A
prominent banker, upon returning
from a trip to South America said
that "a shortage of dollars" in
Latin American countries is hurt.
ing U. S. exports to that region,
amounting to $4,000, 600, 900.
Frederic A. Potts, President OF
the Philadelphia National Bank
said "the problem is so critical
that Colombia has sent a delega.
ton to this country to take mat.
ter up with business men and
government officials.
Potts declared that the dollar in
the Latin American countries is
very scarce and that for years il
has been worse. The only coun.
tries which are not affected BY
this crisis are Venezuela and Cuba.
The banker said that the crisis
may have its origen in various
phases, including the temporal de.
preston in U. S, and the increase
in price of imported goods and the
drop in price of exported raw ma.
terials.
Potts suggested, as a possible
solution, an increase in the invest
ment of capital in Latin America.
He explained many American com.
panies are already investing more
capital in that region.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Commerce Department Reviews
Trade With Latin America

The FOREIGN COMMERCE
WEEKLY, the US. Department
of Commerce official magazine, re-
viewed in a recent issue us. for
eign trade for 1858.
According to the report, states
Marion A. Leonard Manager of the
Miami Field Office, US. foreign
trade will be buoyant in 1858 al
though il will not match the un-
precedented boom of 1857.
With respect to Latin America,
weakened prices of principal ex-
port commodities, the business
showdown in the United States,
and political uncertainties, COM
bined to create a less favorable
outlook tor Latin American mar
kets as the first quarter of 1858
drew to a close The heavy export
surplus of the U.S.. in 1857
in its trade with Latin America,
amounting to 500 million, al
though financed in large part by
loans, grants, Investments, and
tourist expenditures, resulted in
the drawing down of the exchange
reserves of several of the larger
countries notably Argentina and
Brazil and some of the countries
have had to tighten restrictions
in imports, especially from the dol.
lar area. Despite these bearish fac
tors the trade outlook Is not UNI
favorable except in comparison
with the peak levels of 1857. us.
exports TO the 20 Latin American
republics rose to a record OF $2.4
billion in the second half of 1857,
6 per cent over the first six
months of the year, and 81 per
cent over the second half of 1856.
Imports from the region totaled
$1.8 billion, a decline of 5 per
cent from the previous half year,
but an increase of about 6 per
cent over the second half of 1856.
Shipment of automobiles to Lat
In America declined during the Sc
cond half OF 1857, but were above
the 1856 average. Exports of ma
chinery, metals and manufactures,
civilian aircraft and chemicals
were up The volume of coffee
purchased by the United States
Increased in the last half-year, but
the value declined. us. imports
from the area of petroleum, iron
ore and zinc we're up, but copper
purchases slackeped.
US. private investment in the
Latin American Republics grew at
a record rate in the past two years,
the survey reports In 1856, $500
million was added to direct invest
nents in Latin America, raising
the total book value to STA bill.
hon by the beginning of 1857.
Data for 1857 are still tentative,
but the increase for the year is es-
tmated at slightly over 81 bill.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Guerrilla Warfare
Grows in Provinces

HAVANA, April g.. UP).-Gue-
rrilla warfare was reported today
to have spread from rebel-infested
Oriente to two more of Cuba's six
provinces - Las Villas and Ca
magiiey.
The army announced that four
rebels we're killed and a soldier
and a policeman injured when
a communicated group seeking to
alter public order" tried to burn
several homes at Quemado de
Quines, in Las Villas.
Private reports which could not
Immediately be confirmed said
small rebel forces attacked army
outposts at Cascorro and Alvaro
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
HEMISPHERE EVENTS
Latin American News in Brief

Honduras, nor that any clashes
have occurred.
Rumors have spread in the last
days in this connection, and for
some days Nicaraguan planes have
been flying over the border, to
observe any movement OF Somo-
za's opponents.
In spite of the calm in the Dor
der, the government is on the
alert.
President Somoza returned to
Managua from the farm LA Fun
dadora" where he spent the Holy
Week.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Latin American Finance
and Trade News Reports

lion, with most of the increase
occurring in the first six months.
Although petroleum investments
were mainly responsible for the
recent upsurge, activity in other
industries also has been greater
than in most earlier periods.
FOREIGN COMMERCE WEEK.
LY, states Mr. Leonard, may be
obtained from the Miami Field Of
flee, 316 Post Office Building,
300 N. E LIST Avenue.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
MEXICAN WORKS FOR
COSTA RICAN RADIO

MEXICO. (UP). - Twenty five
broadcasting stations of Costa RI
ca will transmit soon a serie Me-
xican radio works, as the Costa
Rican broadcaster, Guillermo Her
nandez Guerrero, who Is here to
buy some radio scripts.
He added that the "Radio Co.
lumbia" broadcasting station OF
San Jose, Costa Rica, will be the
main station to transmit the Me-
xican works beginning in May.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
Argentine Envoy
TO Moscow Quits

MOSCU. (UP). - Emilio del Ca.
rril, Argentine Ambassador, left
for his country which he repre-
scented in the Soviet Union for two
years.
Del Carril, one of the Western
diplomats most respected here,
was farewelled with a luncheon
offered by the Mexican Ambas-
sador Alfonso de Rosenzweig Diaz.
Some high officials of the govern
ment at e n d e d the luncheon,
among them v. Kuznetsov, proyi-
sional Foreign Minister.
Del Carril left for Praga.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
TEMPERATURE
.,1 e@mH8gF@dle
The Unfortunate Revolutions
of Latin America

In almost all instances, mill
tary revolts have sunk many of
the Latin American Republics
into a sea Of desperation and
chaos.
Unless the action is one for
national recuperation, the polit-
ical victory resulting from inter-
nal turmoil has always adverse.
ly affected democracy, because
those who govern as a result of
military treason know the real
origin of their power, and in
discharging their official duties
they do not have the country
IN mind, they do no effort to
exalt the institutions of the Re.
public, and much less do they
concern themselves with aSsur-
ing all political guarantees to
the citizen. They know they
have reached the top through
the use of armed violence, that
the people have not contributed
to their victory and that there
has been no d~octrinal inspira-
ton of a democratic nature.
That is why they are only in
terested in all that means their
continuation in power, being
careful to maintain their back
ing of bayonets, which was the
kind of support that elevated
them to the highest offices of
the Republic.
Any time there is an unius.
tifiable revolt, if the citizens
stand v~aliantly in civil resist
ance, rejecting military domino.
ton, making use of all available
means to disavow the authority
born out of armed rebellion. the
military bosses would hardly be
so willing to throw themselves
into the adventure of a revolt.
because it may be easy to win
a skirmiSh or a battle in the
military field, but it is not as
easy to win over a whole nation
that, conscious of its political
destiny, stands at least in civic
resistance against the usurpers.
The circumstances that sur.
round military coups not always
leave much margin for action
against the collective force of
a democratic nation; of people
that as soon as the offense to
the Republic takes place, as
soon as the constitutional order
is altered by those who have
the obligation to respect it, raise
civilly and decorously against
those who with the use of bayo-
nets try to submit the Nation
and make q plaything of their
own and for their advantage of
the public ministries they will
hold for the duration of their
tenure.
If the people do not act fast
against any coup or any anti
democratic move, it will cost
them later many more sacrifices
to rid of the dictatorship. For
that reason, every citizen should
be fully aware of these situa-
lions, so that no special coordi-
nation may be necessary in the
event of cri S is. Every one
should know beforehand his po-
sition in the defense of the
institutions of the Republic.
And in these cases, that defense
has to at least correspond to a
movement of civil resistance.
When the people make use OF
this resort, the military rebels
find themselves much more
powerless to achieve, if that is
ever possible, the annihilation
of democracy.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
S0MOZA DENIES
REVOLT RUMORS

MANAGUA, April 8. (UP). -
President Luis A. Somoza declar-
ed there is no foundation for the
rumors that there are Nicaraguan
J reyolutionaries on the border with
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
WORKERS FLEE

Banks in the area Immediately
closed their doors and workers
fled for cover. Shops in the area
also were closing.
Police with tommy guns and
army intelligence agents took over
the Prado, Havana's main street
and began a block by block
hunt for rebel gunner.
The blast near the prime min
iSter'S office was preceded by an
apparently unsuccessful rebel at
tempt to raid the national armory
in old Havana.
The shooting was only a block
from naval headquarters on the
waterfront. Naval guard fired
short bursts of machinegun fire
to clear the streets.
This dispatch was telephoneo
to the United Press in New York
The sound of sirens and gunfire
was clearly audible over the tele'
phone.
Despite the rebel - enforced ra.
dio announcement that the gener
al strike sis about to start, there
was no indication that it had &C.
tually begun.
It was specialized that the rebel
terror tactics were designed to
keep people off the streets.
The bombs were thrown from
moving cars
The power blackout affected the
United Press office which sealed
its windows and continued work
ing with light from storm lamps
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
BY FRANCIS L. MCCARTHY
United Press Staff Correspondent

OHlLeu FfeSS StdII correspondent
HAVANA. (UP). - Widespread
shooting broke out in downtown
Havana today and a bomb blast
opposite the prime minister's Of
flee knocked out all electric pow
er.
1t appeared rebel leader Fidel
Castro's long - heralded about
offensive against the government
of President Fulgencio Batista was
under way.
At IL am. rebel raiders invad-
ed a radio station in suburban
Vedado and forced announcerS to
run a record proclaiming that
"the general strike is about to
START.
One bonn exploded near the
United Press office in the arcade
of the Hotel Sevilla Biltmore.
Diario las Américas., 1958-04-10
MEXICAN

BUENOS AIRES, (UP). = In
a ceremony of the Army Ministry,
General Education Supervisor, Gen.
eral Carlos Toranzo Montero,
awarded the Order Of May for mi
litary service, as Commander, to
Col. Roberto Yanez Vazquez, Mi
litary Attache from Mexico, who
ceased in his work.