New York Times
February 26, 1958. p. 3.
Auto Racer
Declares Cuban Rebels Were Friendly—Boxers Are Guarded
By R. Hart Phillips
Special to The New York
Times
HAVANA, Feb. 25—Juan Manuel Fangio, the Argentine automobile racing champion, said today that those who kidnapped him Sunday were young men who treated him with consideration and even friendliness. The driver was released shortly after midnight.
The kidnappers told him they were members of the 26th of July Movement headed by Fidel Castro, the rebel leader, whose bands of insurgents are fighting Government troops in Oriente Province.
The kidnapping was allegedly carried out by youthful enemies of President Fulgencio Batista in an effort to embarrass the Government and if possible stop the holding of the second Gran Premio automobile race, which Señor Fangio was considered the favorite to win.
However, the race was held yesterday afternoon, but it was suspended when a Cuban driver crashed into spectators. This morning the death toll had risen to six, with thirty-one injured.
Señor Fangio, appearing well-groomed and untired after having been held about twenty-six hours by his kidnappers, talked with reporters in the Argentine Embassy. The Argentine Ambassador, Rear Admiral Raul Lynch, had picked him up from a house on the outskirts of Havana not long before in response to a telephone cal from the kidnappers.
“The revolutionists treated me well,” Señor Fangio said. “They tried to explain to me the reasons for my kidnapping and the aims of their organization and their attitude was even friendly. I was well fed by a woman who brought my meals.
“During the period of the kidnapping I as transferred three times to three different houses in three different automobiles. The houses were well-furnished residences and in one of them I saw a part of a film of the Gran Premio race on television.
“My captors took me to a house on the edge of town earlier tonight and told me to go inside and stay inside until someone came for me. Later the Ambassador called for me.”
Señor Fangio said he planned to stay in Cuba for several days and would drive here in the next Gran Premio race if invited.
He said he held no resentment against anyone over his kidnapping.
HAVANA, Feb. 25 (AP)—The Cuban police threw a heavy guard around the world lightweight boxing champion, Joe Brown of New Orleans, today. They want to insure that Fidel Castro’s rebels will not succeed in any attempt to break up his ten-round bout tomorrow night with Orlando Echevarria of Cuba.
The nontitle fight is one of the major sporting events of the Cuban tourist season and is to be televised to the United States at 10 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. It will also mark the opening of a new $2,000,000 sports arena.
Wherever Brown went he had policemen with him. He is staying in the same hotel from which Juan Manuel Fangio, the Argentine auto driver, was kidnapped at gunpoint. Guards have been placed at Brown’s door. Similar protection has been given to Echevarria.
HOUSTON, Tex., Feb. 25 (AP)—Robert H. McKeown, described by Federal authorities as the “mystery man” in the Houston phase of an alleged plot to supply Cuban rebels with firearms, surrendered today.
He was charged immediately with two counts of violating the National Firearms Act. United States Commissioner Ralph Fowler set bond at $10,000.
At a news conference, Mr. McKeown issued a typewritten but unsigned statement terming charges of participation in the alleged plot to ship arms to Cuba “ridiculous, unfounded and completely without merit.”