Evening star., 1961-04-18
CUBA
Continued From First Page

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its misfortune and will lend it
all necessary support"
Prime Minister Castro took
personal command of his de-
Tending forces and told the ma
tion in a terSe communique:
THE revolutionary (Castro)
troops continue to fight he
roically in Southwest Las Villas
Province where mercenaries
disembarked with imperialist
support"
Observers in Miami consid-
cred it significant that the
usually boastful Castro made no
victory claims.
Both sides claimed the next
few hours could be crucial in
the fight for the Caribbean
island republic. The key factor
was believed to be the loyalty
Of Mr.. Castro's 100000 troops
and militia members.
The Cuban Revolutionary
Council in New York claimed
there already had been whole
sale desertions and predicted a
mass uprising against the
Castro regime before the day
is out.
Fighting was reported-but
not confirmed-in four of
Cupa'S six rrcvinces. The heav-
lest appeared southeast OF Ha-
vana where forces that landed
at Las Villas were reported to
have reached the Colon area
80 miles from the capital and
halfway across the island.
The invasion launched before
dawn yesterday brought world
wide repercussions.
The United States Govern
ment declared its sympathy for
the forces trying to overthrow
Castro but denied Cuban
charges that Washington had
financed and organized the in
vasion and was supporting it
with American forces.
Soviet Aid Pledged
The Soviet government in an
official statement pledged "all
necessary aid" to Castro if
armed intervention which it
charged to the United States
did not stop.
Pro Castro demonstrations
broke out last night in most
major South American cities
but the crowds shouting denun-
Citations of the United States
were generally small, from sew
eral hundred to several thou
sand. Police guarded United
States Embassies in Latin
American capitals.
In New York, 1000 Castro
supporters demonstrated in
front of U. N. headquarters and
last night part OF the group
tried to tie up traffic in Times
Square. Police dispersed them.
All communications with
Western newsmen in Cuba were
cut off and rumors flew wild
throughout the Western Hemi-
sphere on what was happening
inside the island.
Havana News Meager
After reporting the initial
landings yesterday. the Castro
government remained silent for
hours until the midnight COM
munique. 1t was broadcast over
a hastily organized network
and declared the successes of
the revolutionary army, air
force and militia will be an
nounced to the people in the
next few hours"
Havana radio, in an apparent
attempt to counteract the dam
ger Of a mass uprising, appealed
to workers and students to go
about their duties as usual.
DR.. Jose Miro Cardona, presi-
dent of the CubanRevolutionary
Council which organized the
invasion, was believed at sea
ready to land in Cuba and pro-
claim a provisional govern
ment once a beachhead is
secure.
The strength of the invading
forces was a secret but Senator
George A. Smathers of Florida
said he believed those fighting
Castro "at the moment" num-
bered not more than 1000 to
IS 900.
Informants in Washington
estimated the invasion force
itself was perhaps only 500
men.
The Cuban Revolutionary
Council said the invasion was
largely a supply and support