DEATH PENALTY FOR INVADERS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30447, 22 May 1964, Page 13

DEATH PENALTY FOR INVADERS

Cuban Warning To Enemies (N Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, May 21. Cuba warned yesterday 7 that any persons or groups attempting to land on the island would be put to death, the “New York Times” reported from Havana.

In a front-page editorial, “Hoy,” which is the official spokesman for the United Party of the Socialist Revolution and generally speaks for the Government itself, said that infiltrators could not expect to escape with gaol sentences.

“Our people have decided to treat them as what they are: Worms, rats and mosquitoes. Does anyone make prisoners of rats or mosquitoes when he catches them in his house?” the editorial asked rhetorically.

This was the most vigorous official reaction to reports published abroad that anti-Castro groups have landed or were planning to land in Cuba, the “Times” said.

There has been no publication or confirmation of these reports in Havana, nor has anything been published about military measures to forestall them.

But it was announced in the newspapers that artillery practice would be held at Playa San Pedro, on the north coast of Pinar Del Rio province.

The Defence Ministry also announced that practice jet flights would take place over the three western provinces of Pinar Del Rio, Havana and Matanzas. What significance this had, in view of the reports from abroad, could only be a matter of conjecture in Havana, the “Times” said. The foreign newspaper representatives had been restricted to Havana for the. past three days. LARGE MEETINGS One Foreign Ministry official described this as a “precautionary measure.” Another announcement published yesterday was an appeal for immediate donations of blood in order “to face any emergency.” Meetings to build up

national preparedness have been taking place all over the country In the last few days. Last night university and secondary school students held two large rallies, one in the university itself, the other in the central business section.

The most important meeting was held in Santiago. There, the Vice-Premier, Raul Castro, presided over a plenary session of the Oriente province chapter of the Cuban Workers’ Confederation.

It was' attended by the highest civil and military officials of the province. The meeting proclaimed the total mobilisation of the working force of Oriente for defence and for the maintenance of production. It was announced that during the next two days concrete measures would be worked out on the local and municipal level.

LANDING RUMOURS It was also announced that Raul Castro would address a mass meeting in, Santiago on Friday night. Observers believe that the first official pronouncement on the subject of the rumoured landings may

be made then, according to the “Times.”

Many of the rumours about incursions name Oriente province as a possible trouble spot. In the streets of Havana there was no noticeable sign of abnormality, other than a proliferation of rumours.

More military vehicles than usual were observed, and the militia guards in front of buildings were heavier. The university was emptier than usual, as students reported to their militia battalions.

Along with the armed forces, doctors and other key persons' have been placed at a state of alert.