Batista Ballyhoo

It was a busy forenoon for Colonel Fulgencio Batista, Cuba's Chief of Army Staff. At 8 a.m. he and his staff arrived at La Punta, Cuba's Naval headquarters outside Havana, and ate breakfast with Naval Chief of Staff Colonel Angel Gonzalez. After numerous goodbys, Colonel Batista moved on, first to the island's police headquarters and next to Camp Columbia, where he repeated the leavetaking. The handsome, 38-year-old Army chief distributed his last promotions, reviewed police. Army and Naval detachments, then called up Lieut.-Colonel Jose Pedraza and put his own insignia on Pedraza's epaulets.

Thus did the armed forces of Cuba, better disciplined, trained and equipped than at any time during the 41 years of Cuban independence, bid formal farewell last week to the former desk sergeant who rose six years ago to become their chief and Cuba's Strong Man. But it was far from Colonel Batista's retirement from Cuban political life. By retiring he became openly the leading candidate for Cuba's Presidency, and his last speech to the Army, Navy and police became the opening address of his campaign.

"I am entering civil life to begin anew the fight we began in the Army--the fight for the welfare of Cuba. Our revolution was to benefit Cuba and our aspiration is to carry her to the first place among the democracies of the world. The armed forces are intended to force compliance with the laws. . . . The political parties supporting my candidacy will have no advantages or rights greater than those opposing me. . . .

"Batista today is a political leader and aspires to the Presidency of the Republic. No one can now say Colonel Batista interferes with public powers. ... If my election is bad for Cuba then I hope I am not elected."

Soldiers, sailors, policemen cheered lustily, carried their former Chief off the parade ground on their shoulders. Later, the Colonel went to his campaign headquarters, a place filled with bodyguards, publicity men, secretaries, photographers and Latin spellbinders who are set to ballyhoo for Batista all over the island. Candidate Batista has been endorsed not only by the Nationalist, Liberal, National Democratic and Realist Parties, but also by Cuba's Communists.

That the Colonel will not be entirely without influence in the Army, even though he no longer belongs to it, was suggested by the choice of his successor. Jose Pedraza was also a sergeant when Sergeant Batista headed the non-commissioned officers' revolt which ended the rule of onetime President Gerardo Machado. Chief of Police of Havana and Military Governor of Havana Province as well, Colonel Pedraza was until last week Inspector General of the Cuban Army under Colonel Batista.

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