Evening star., 1961-04-20
CUBA
Castro Claims Crushing Of Rebels
But Comedies Heavy Losses

up for questioning. The Swiss
handle United States affairs
because Washington has no
diplomatic ties with Havana.
"A Castro communique con-
ceded severe losses among the
army and peoples militia sent
to the beachhead about 100
miles southeast of Havana. 1t
said some rebels tried to flee
by sea but their ships were
sunk by warplaneS.
Rebel broadcasts also con-
ceded severe losses, blaming
them on the attacks by Soviet
made tanks and MIG jet
fighters. But an informed
source in Miami said the in
vaders' total casualties were
no more than $50.
Casualties Conceded
The new rebel station. saying
it was broadcasting from the
Escambray Mountains, asserted
that most Of the invaders had
Joined up there with guerrillaS
who have been fighting the
Castro regime for months.
THE liberation army now is
operating in conjunction with
forces already in the EScam-
bray Mountains" said the
radio, which called itself Es-
carnbray Libre (Free Escam-
bray.3
"We will continue broadcast
ing until all Cuba is free, as we
are now free" the radio said.
Castro forces did take a
toll of casualties, but not Of
such magnitude as to stop the
liberation force in accomplish
ing It's mission" the radio said.
The size of the forces max
ing it into the mountains and
the number of guerrillaS wait
ing there were not known. AS
many as 5000 guerrillas had
been reported operating in the
rugged region previously. but
the number had been thinned.
New Landing Reported
Moscow's apparent nervous
ness about new landings may
have arisen from reports from
various exile circles. An anti
Castro leader in Puerto Rico
asserted a new landing had
been made last night.
"A similar unconfirmed re-
port reached the United States
naval base of Guantanamo in
eastern Cuba. This account
said the landing was on the
north coast of Camaguey Prov
ince west Of Guantanamo.
An anti-CaStro underground
leader sent a message to the
base saying: IF Cuba is not
liberated now there will not
be another Latin American
nation with the CUTS to shake
Off the Communists"
There was some mystery
about the whereabouts of Mr..
Castro. While the communique
announced by the Cuban radio
said it was signed by Castro,
the prime minister himself did
not take to the air as he nor
lflaily would on such occasions.
Announcement Expected
There was speculation he
might have been showed aside
by the Communists because of
blunders that hampered Soviet
efforts to organize the Cuban
economy.
But Communist propaganda
still billed Mr.. Castro as the
architect of a democratic
regime in Cuba.
Long before the Castro re-
gtme'S announcement in the
early morning hours, Commu-
mist correspondents in Havana
had been predicting an early
announcement that the landing
attempt had been destroyed.
The Cuban government COM
nltIi1ique claiming total vic
tory over the invasion force
that hit the swampy beaches
OF Cochinos Bay Monday, said
"Giron Beach, which was the
last stronghold of the mer-
cel1aries, fell at $50 pm. yes
terday."
Signed by Mr.. Castro as
Prime Minister and commander
in chief, the communique
claimed the invaders suffered
heavy casualties, dispensing in
a swamp area from which no
escape is possible" But Mr..
Castro conceded his forces paid
a rhigh toll in courageous lives"
The fiery Prime Minister said
a rlarge quantity Of arms of
American manufacture were
captured, including various
Sherman heavy tanks"
Invasion" Disclaimed
The Cuban Revolutionary
Council, which organized the
striking force of Cuban exiles,
had said earlier that the land
ings" were only a phase of its
campaign to overthrow Mr..
Castro. 1t disclaimed them as
an invasion"
I'VE did not expect to topple
Castro Immediately or with
out setbacks," the Council said
in a communique issued last
night in New York.
The rebel command now ap-
peared to be anticipating a
mounting guerrilla campaign
which they hoped would stead
ilys attract popular support
within Cuba, much in the man
ner of Mr.. CaStro's guerrilla
campaign from the mountains
Of oriente Province that ulti-
mately brought the downfall of
Dictator Fulgencio Batista.
The rebel council admitted
tragic losses" but said they