June 7, 1957.p. 1,12.
Special to the New York Times.
HAVANA, June 8—President Fulgencio Batista, in an interview last night, reiterated his desire to advance the date of Cuban elections to June 1, 1958,but he expressed doubts that “disorderly elements responsible for recent acts of terrorism would subscribe to any such solution.”
The elements to which President Batista referred comprise rebels under Fidel Castro fighting in the Sierra Maestra at the eastern end of the island, militant university students and youths all over Cuba who are helping them, and those who have been committing innumerable acts of sabotage in all areas daily.General Batista noted that under Cuba’s Constitution a general election should be held Nov. 1, 1958, but that advance in date has been under study by a Congressional committee and was supported by his backers.
The President said he would refuse to offer a general amnesty while “terrorists are at large.”
The Presidential Palace seems extraordinarily quiet and deserted because of the extreme safety measures taken to protect the President.On March 13 there was an attack inside the palace by youths and older men who might have succeeded in their attempt to kill the President if they had laid their plans better.
The publishable part of the interview with this correspondent was in the form of written questions and written answers, but the President spoke off the record for forty minutes, discussing matters with frankness and good nature even when very delicate questions and sharp comments were put to him.
The written answers were presumably prepared by the President’s American public relations aide in English and accepted by General Batista.Despite the ill temper of some of these replies, however, the President himself was always courteous and cordial.
The questions and answers follow:
Q.—There is widespread civil unrest in Cuba.What do you think are its causes and what are its solutions?
A.—The cause of unrest in Cuba is due to the activities of a combination of criminal elements, including Communist collaborators and a group of predatory oppositionists headed by former President Carlos Prio [Socarras].These groups seek through terrorism and disorder to damage their nation’s economy as well as its prestige and to create political chaos if necessary in order to satisfy their own personal antipatriotic ambitions.
The solution to all legitimate political problems will come only through general elections which will be held next year.The Government coalition parties are quite willing to let the voters make their own decisions, but I doubt that the disorderly elements responsible for recent acts of terrorism would subscribe to any such solution.
Q.—In connection with the efforts of the political parties to arrange a peaceful solution what are the chances of elections on June 1, 1958?
A.—According to the Constitution, general elections should be held Nov. 1, 1958.Recently a Congressional committee has been studying the possibility of moving the election date up to June 1, 1958.Election dates can be changed only by act of Congress.The political parties supporting my Government expressed willingness to accept a change in date.
A.—Mr. Matthews, I know by what you have written in the past how you feel about Fidel Castro, but do you seriously believe that after all the crimes this man Castro has committed, beginning in his student days when he killed two men and continuing in Mexico as well as in Cuba, the Government should forget his acts and enter into political deals with him?
It is difficult to believe that anyone save a few of Castro’s admirers would expect the Government to sit down with this criminal and work out an arrangement which would grant him special privileges because of his past crimes.
My Government always willingly entered into discussions with legitimate, decent opposition groups in an effort to find solutions which would benefit the nation, and our position in this regard has not changed.But we are not about to sit down and discuss politics with a common criminal.
[General Batista alluded to Mr. Matthews’ visit to the Sierra Maestra in February and his interview with Señor Castro.The interview was Times in the first of a series of dispatches by Mr. Matthews last Feb. 23, 25 and 26.Mr. Matthews called Señor Castro and his followers the “flaming symbol” of the opposition to the Batista regime and said that “hundreds of highly respected citizens are helping Señor Castro.”On Feb. 27, Dr. Santiago Verdeja Neyra, Cuban Defense Minister, expressed doubt in a statement that Señor Castro was alive, or that Mr. Matthews actually had interviewed the rebel leader.]
Q.—Is the Government prepared to make any further concessions to the political Opposition?Are you going to grant political amnesty to both civilians and military?
A.—The Government has mad every concession the Opposition has asked except the one providing for a general amnesty.
It is absurd to think that a Government which is responsible for maintaining law and order would at a time when paid terrorists are at large agree to an amnesty.Terrorist activities here have resulted in death or injury to a number of innocent Cubans and destruction of their private property.There can be no just motive for exploding bombs which kill or maim innocent people.
A.—Most of what you might consider “important” Communist operate from bases outside the republic.I do not know what would constitute an “unimportant” Communist, but among those arrested and convicted you will find a number of Communists.I am sure you must know that we have arrested known Communists found employed in public service organizations, and other have been removed from their posts.
Q.—You adopted a policy of no further censorship.If so, why is radio and television censored at the orders of the Minister of Communications?
A.—Obviously you give the word “censorship” a very broad meaning, Mr. Matthews.There is no censorship in Cuba, Mr. Matthews, and you know very well that my Government has never interfered with you in your work as a journalist in Cuba, even though you associated with known criminals and pleaded the cause of a man who has taken up arms in an effort to overthrow the constituted Government.You have always had at least as much freedom in Cuba as you have had in your own country, despite the fact that you have consistently written stories that were unfavorable to my person, my Government and to the Cuban people.
A.—The death of Pelayo Cuervo is being investigated with as much vigor as we would apply in an investigation of the death of any citizen.The full facilities at our command are being used and we will continue to use them.
Certainly the Government profoundly regrets the death of Pelayo Cuervo.He was a man of many associations; he had both friends and enemies among members of the various political groups and not every person associated with him in his own political circle agreed with him in many of his actions.It is not a simple case, but as I say, we will continue to conduct the investigation with the sincere hope that the killer or killers will be found and brought to justice.
HAVANA, June 6—Manuel Cardinal Arteaga, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Havana, issued a declaration late yesterday warning the people of Cuba that “the path of violence is fruitless” and appealing for peace in the present violent political situation.
The Cardinal said: “the Church should be above all political strife, but we cannot remain indifferent in the present situation.”
“It is necessary that all Cubans ask themselves if we are following the paths of peace or those of self-destruction in order that the present situation be corrected,” he continued.“The prayers of all Cubans without distinction are the first step toward achieving peace and harmony, which the people of Cuba so greatly desire.”
Cardinal Arteaga’s declaration follows an appeal for peace made by the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Msgr. Enrique Perez Serantes, last Friday.At the same time civil, professional, religious, patriotic and educational institutions protested to the Government over a “reign of terror” in that city of eastern Cuba.Since then, various Catholic associations throughout the republic have supported the appeal of Monsignor Perez Serantes.
Army headquarters said today it had no information to give on the Government troops’ campaign against Señor Castro in the Sierra Maestra.There has been no encounter there since June 1.