Sept. 5, 1957. p. 12.
‘Nothing Will Prevent’ Them, He Says on Anniversary –
Havana Blasts Go On
HAVANA, Sept. 4 – President Fulgencio Batista declared today that “nothing will prevent” the holding of elections scheduled for June.
He deplored the idea of foreign interference or the creation of a military junta to solve Cuba’s political problems. He said such proposals had originated with “a very small nucleus of Cubans” who have no confidence in the qualities of citizenship, their political organizations or Government officials.
The President spoke at Camp Columbia Army headquarters on the occasion of the twenty-fourth anniversary of the revolt that put him in power.
Detachments of the army, the navy and the police, members of his Cabinet, Government officials and members of the diplomatic corps heard the President speak. A radio and television hook-up carried the speech throughout the island.
Terming Fidel Castro, rebel leader now operating in the Sierra Maestra of Oriente Province, “a Communist fugitive,” the President said that Cuba was fighting communism in cooperation with the United States.
The President said the island was highly prosperous through the efforts of his Government. He urged sugar producers to restrict next years production to the same amount as this year’s as a means of keeping the economy stable.
The celebration began at midnight and continued throughout today with ceremonies and fiestas in all military posts of the island. The Government offices were closed today but commerce and industry continued as usual.
Last night in the America picture theatre in mid-town a bomb exploded killing Eusebia Diaz Baez, a 19-year-old high school student. According to the police, the girl apparently had attempted to plant the bomb in the theatre, but it exploded prematurely.
Another bomb in the Rodi Theatre in the Vedado residential section slightly injured a man, a woman and a child last night.
A third bomb was set off at the theatre known as City Hall, but no one was injured. An unexploded bomb was found in the Payret Theatre.
Early this morning two bombs went off on Neptuno Street in mid-town, badly damaging six places of business. No injuries were reported. This afternoon a bomb exploded in an electrical shop on San Miguel Street in the shopping district. There was heavy damage, but no one was hurt.
They Cannot Be Redeemed and Are Donations Only, Local Committee Says
Supporters of Fidel Castro, Cuban rebel leader, are selling “bonds” in the United States to help finance their movement to overthrow President Fulgencio Batista.
While somewhat reluctant to discuss the operation, officials of the Democratic Workers Committee of Cuban Emigrés. 173 West Sixty-fourth Street. Said the revenue would be used for the relief of Cuban refugees from the Batista regime and for the support of families of insurgents. They declined to reveal how much money had been collected.
Angel de Prada, secretary general of the committee, explained that the bonds, issued in denominations of $5, $10 $ 25, $50 and $100, were not redeemable, but were simply receipts for contributions.
“It is just for your own pride,” he said. “Anyone expecting anything back from it wouldn’t be a good Cuban.”
Each certificate bears the legend “Bond of Honor” and carries pictures of Señor Castro and of José Marti and Antonio Maceo. Cuban patriots killed in insurrections against Spain.
Each bond is stamped with the committee’s seal, a map of Cuba with a red torch flaring from the Sierra Maestra, Señor Castro’s stronghold on the southern tip of the island. It is signed by Pablo Diaz Gonzales, president, and by Raul Betancourt, treasurer, of the committee. There is also a line for the signature of Señor Castro as “supreme chief,” but the space is empty.
Committee officials said agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation had visited their office three months ago and had questioned them on how the revenue was to be spent. The committee felt that its operations were completely legal so long as the money was not spent in smuggling arms to Señor Castro.
The committee is one of several groups operating here in support of the Cuban rebels. It says it has a membership of 600. An official said the “bonds” were being sold in Chicago and other cities as well as in New York.