U.S. Lands More Troops In Dominican Republic

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 13

U.S. Lands More Troops In Dominican Republic

(ti.ZPA- Reuter—Copyright)

SANTO DOMINGO, May 2.

Another 2000 American marines and paratroops landed in the Dominican Republic today as the eight-day revolt continued.

President Johnson announced the decision last night to reinforce the 4200 United States troops already on the island. They were needed to establish a neutral “rone of refuge” for American and foreign nationals, he said. United States forces were responsible for nine square miles of the revolt-torn capital of Santo Domingo. They also had to keep the Haina port area free from attack, the President said. United States casualties in the fighting rose yesterday when another tw'o marines died under sniper fire.

Their deaths took the toll to five dead and at least 37 wounded since the first marines landed last Thursday. A five-nation peace committee has flown to Santo Domingo in a bid to end the revolt.

The Organisation of American State formed the mission during urgent talks in Washington yesterday.

Mission members were drawn from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Panama. So far Dominican forces loyal to the ruling junta of President Donald Cabral and warring rebels have ignored truce agreements. The mission carries terse instructions from anxious Latin American states to restore peace and offer good offices to all factions. Leaders on both sides agreed on a cease-fire on Friday but their forces ignored it. This led to United States charges in Washington that Communists were supporting the revolt

Last night the cease-fire still had not come into affect. Sniper fire raked the streets and armed mobs

clashed with loyalists and United States forces.

United States-operated sea lifts continued to ferry refugees from the war-torn island. Six hundred arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, yesterday aboard the Naval vessel Yancey. Some of the United States wounded were flown to military hospitals in Puerto Rico. Paratroopers last night were within half a mile of a link-up with the marines who yesterday established a “safety zone” in the centre of Santo Domingo. They were engaging rebel forces as they advanced. The paratroopers had taken 20 prisoners.

Unofficial reports put Dominican casualties two days ago at 400 dead and 1200 wounded.

Late last night U.S. paratroopers succeeded in battling their way through eastern Santo Domingo to link up with a Marine patrol. The link-up indicated the United States had decided a corridor must be established through rebel territory, which comprised at least 50 per cent of the city.