~Ij49£411 wn Dil Sixty-Ninth Year EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNDER AUTHORITY OF BOARD It CONTROL OF STUDENT PUBLICATIONS STUDENT PUBLICATIONS BLDG. * ANN ARBOR, Micn. * Phone NO 2-3241 "They Decided To Come Here For Vacations - Now Move On And Stop Asking Questions" 'hen Opinions Are Free Truth W W Prevai" Editorials printed in The Michigan Daily express the indiv'idual opinions of staff writers or the editors. This must be noted in all reprints. PEREZ C f f "'"' rMr, r,.,_ , _ 1 . i ' , ° . ' ': ; j P . "' { DAY, JANUARY 6, 1959 NIGHT EDITOR: LANE VANDERSLICE Temptations of Power Confront Castro, Cuba Nil )ICTATOR Fulgencio Batista's regime finally crumbled under the presure of rebel leader idel Castro's bearded insurgents. Batista's downfall spells an end to years of >vernmental graft and corruption. The plush avana casinos suddenly became silent New ear's day after milking thousands of Ameri- an tourists for Batista and his American amblers. The equally plush presidential pal- ce found weary rebels behind the desks once :cupied by Batista's right hand men. But Batista's hasty exit from the Caribbean land didn't leave his pockets empty. Florida anks hold over 200 million dollars in his name nd unconfirmed reports say he pilfered some ye million before his sudden departure. The c-dictator's methods of draining the Cuban >vernment's treasury were always on a big :ale. As one high-ranking Cuban citizan said ,st spring, "A million dollar bridge would be uilt- for five million - one million to con- ruct the bridge, two million for Batista's nstruction business friends and two million ir himself." rHE MAN responsible for Batista's topple from power is 4 quiet spoken son of a ealthy sugar planter. His name has become a aswordr n Cuba and his ragged band of ldiers or "Fidelistas" hold him in deep re- pect. His plans for the new Cuba have been hrouded in vagueness throughout his guerilla impaign. His promises ranged from immediate ationalization of all foreign interests on the land to only a closing of the American run imbling houses of Havana. One thing he has een emphatic about is the role of the rela- vely weak Cuban Communist Party. The rebel hief recently said in a copyrighted interview hat his revolutionary movement had no as- >ciation with the Communists Castro's attitude toward the nearby United States is a "wait and see" policy. "If the United Stataes treats Cuba in a friendly and respectful manner, our relations with the United Stataes will be respectful," he said several days ago. The rebel's words for respect will probably raise some eyebrows on Capital Hill. Castro's brother Raul and his kidnapping of American sailors near the Guantanamo naval base brought angry comments on the revolutionary movement last summer. Castro's victory was inevitable. Batista's army could have held out longer than they did, but both Castro and Batista realized the gov- ernment army could be swayed and the rebels' overwhelming popularity with the people was a wedge between the soldiers and Batista. TODAY CASTRO stands as the savior of the Cuban masses. As one Cuban studeit said here last spring, "Fidel Castro is Cuba's Christ." Tomorrow is the question. Castro has said he only wants the rank of major in the new Cuban army. His installation of Manuel Urrutia as provisional president and his recall of all weapons from his civilian supporters calmed many fears of the Cuban public for Cuba has been constantly subjected to dic- tators. An ex-dictator, president Carlos Prio Socarras, has returned to Cuba but has prom- ised he would take a back seat in politics. He had been a heavy contributor to the rebel cause and many believed he would seek office. If Castro does relinquish his presently tempt- ing opportunity to control the government, Cuba may have an opportunity to finally live under a democratic government. The road is open to the bearded Castro. Only the, future of his provisional government will tell. -BARTON HUTHWAITE n t ' 1. L +I f "..., , ;<