Abstract

The New Machado in Cuba

This article presents information on Colonel Fulgencio Batista of Cuba. It is informed that Batista is the first chief of the army of Cuba and is head of the largest, best-equipped, best-paid military machine in the history of Cuba, with absolute power over every phase of Cuba's life. He is now the maker and breaker of presidents. Batista's rise to power has been meteoric. Twenty-five years ago he was a boy in school in an American Quaker missionary establishment in Oriente. A little over twenty years ago, he was an orphan of thirteen adrift in the wide world to struggle or starve. Fifteen years ago he was a day worker in the cane fields, receiving a mere pittance. He has worked at every type of menial labor on the island; port-worker, railway hand, tailor's assistant, mechanic and what not. Five years ago he was court-martial stenographer with the rank of sergeant. Until less than two years ago, he took orders in that capacity; today he gives orders to the whole country.