CUBAN UNREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22519, 13 March 1935, Page 7

CUBAN UNREST

GENERAL STRIKE COMPLETE TEN VIOLENT DEATHS (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) HAVANA, March 11. (Received March 12, at 8 p.m.) The revolutionary general strike against the Mendieta Administration became virtually complete to-day, when the electrical workers stopped work late in the afternoon. So far 10 violent deaths have been recorded, most apparently as the result of the Government's drastic enforcement of a state of war, which provides the death penalty without trial. Among the bodies found today was that of Enrique Fernandos, a high official of the former Administration of Grau Martin. While the military kept the vital services, such as electric power, partially operative, all business was paralysed. Shops were kept open under a Government order, but there were no clerks or customers. Food, milk and ice deliveries are at a standstill, with the glowing menace of a famine. All public transportation has been halted, and there is scarcely anyone in the streets excepting soldiers and police, President Mendieta's only defence against overthrow. Another message states that Cuba is caught between the lines in a fight to a finish between.the Government and the Radicals. Havana i.nd the entire island are suffering almost total paralysis under the state of war declared by President Mendieta. Disorders have occurred throughout most of the island, but there was little actual disorder in Havana on Monday. CONFUSION EVERYWHERE NEW YORK, March 11. (Received March 12 at 8 p.m.) A message from Miami, Florida, states that Carlos Hevia, who held the Presidency of Cuba for three days in 1934, fled there by aeroplane. He alleged that about 200 persons have been massacred since Saturday morning, and stated that the wildest confusion prevails over the island. Bodies were found everywhere. Men were being taken from their homes, presumably for prison, and their bodies were found later. REPORT DENIED HAVANA, March 11. (Received March 12, at 11 p.m.) President Mendieta vigorously denied the statement that 200 people had been killed, declaring that there had not been three deaths from fire by the public forces.