Evening star., 1963-01-26
II 6 nEN
> 0I SOD=1 LOON
Socialism Shows Signs Of Sputterinq
BY JOE MCGOWAN, JR.
Associated Press staff Writer

tour last weekend INTENDED
to demonstrate the virtures and
accomplishments of the social
ist revolution.
Two young government Of
ficials guided the newsmen on
a tour that happened upon
spontaneous" demonstrations
of the peoples great enthusi-
asm for the revolution.
On their arrival in Havana
a week ago yesterday aboard
the freighter Shirley Lykes,
the newsmen, representing on
a pool basis all American news
media, were informed that a
special program had been ar
ranged for them during their
stay in Cuba.
Raul Lazo, a Cuban Foreign
Ministry employe responsible
for foreign news correspon-
dents, said he and Antonio
Cardoso would be guides for
the Americans.
Auto Breaks Down
Mr.. Lazo and. Mr.. Cardoso
last Saturday took the news
men in two late model expen-
sive American automobiles on
a tour of Havana, particularly
the plush Miramar and Cuban
acan sections.
During the tour one auto
broke down and another had
to be summoned to finish the
drive. In the next couple of
days the Americans were to see
countless automobiles and buses
broken down and standing
alongside downtown streets as
we'll as rural highways.
Havana, once known for hav-
ing great numbers of new
American automobiles. today
can obtain neither new cars nor
parts for the old ones. Most
cars need mufflers, headlights
and ignition parts. Tires, even
on vehicles of high echelon
government officials, need re-
treading or replacement.
AS a result of this problem,
Havana's streets have acquired
an oily. sticky coating, side
walks are covered with oil and
the air is filled with nauseous
exhaust fumes.
Cars Need Repairs
Cuban citizens said the oil
and fumes are a result of cars
needing mufflers, piston rings
and ignition maintenance and
of low grade petroleum penlg
refined into gasoline.
On Sunday, Mr.. Lazo said the
newsmen would visit a field in
IMatanzas province where vol
untary workers we're cutting
sugar cane, then proceed to
Varadero Beach, one a popular
American resort, now a work
er's vacation area.
The tour passed numerous
can fields, then stopped at one
| Just west of the sleepy town
of Limonar. Several mache
teros (cane cutters) we're load
ing cane on a truck.
When the Americans alighted
from their two cars, workers
flocked in from nearby fields
Joined hands in a circle possi-
bly, 40 feet in diameter, swung
machetes in the air and began
dancing and singing the Com
munist song Internacionale.
Attack Refugees
Candido Moreno, 81, a Lii
monar taxi driver, stepped for
ward and said, THE people
who leave Cuba don't like to
work. They are drunkards and
other things. People who stay
here like to work and are hon.
est people"
Mr.. Moreno said he was glad
to be able to cut sugar cane on
his day off "for the success of
the revolution" He said he
worked in Key West, Fla, in
1856 but couldn't stand life IN
America.
Young Rafael Cuadrado said
he was at Playa Giron during
the April II, 1861, invasion.
1.-TWO mercenaries who we're
armed saw two Cuban militia
men in swimming and sur
rendered to them" he claimed.
II saw it"
Although it was barely noon.
the cane cutters began board
ing trucks and riding away as
the Americans drove off. Cane
which they had willingly cut
for television and newsreel
cameras was left lying in the
field
televisioa and newsreel cam
eras was left lying in the field.
Visit Teaching Center
Mr.. Lazo and Mr.. Cardoso,
who said he once lived in New
York, took the newsmen Mon
day to one of the many plush
apartment buildings which have
been converted into classrooms
for the thousands of scholar
ship students whose living costs
are completely paid by the gov
ernment.
AS the two cars drove down
First avenue in Miramar, Mr..
Lazo picked a teaching center
for the Americans to visit. The
cars stopped and approximately
300 students, lining patio rail-
ings on the buildings five
floors, began chanting "Vivas,
Vivas Fidel."
One girl on each floor APP
peared TO be acting as cheer
leader.
Waiting at the front door Of
the building, Institute de lido
| mas nanptiapp InStitiite) was