INVASION SMASHED

Chronicle (Levin), 1 October 1947, Page 5

INVASION SMASHED

(N.Z.P.A.-

—Reuter,

Revolution Plan In Republic Of Dominica

Copyright)

Received Tuesdav, 7.10 p.111. HAYANA (C'uba), Sept, 29. The Ariny annouiiced tonight that 11 had smashed an emphibious expeditionaiy force organised in Northeastern Cuba to o.verthrow the 17-year-old dictatofship of Oeneral Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Reiiublic. The stat.enient said two troop-la'den ships had been captured at sea early today as they sailed to launch the invasion. The 800 men aboard the ships surrendered without resistance when intercepted by Cuban warships. Colonei Oscar Diaz, Army spokesman, said tlic capture of the two ships had ended the invasion attempt. It is reported that the expedition originally numbered 3000 heavily armed volunteers under Dominicatt teaders. It included 100 former American soldiers and war-experienced adventurers of many nationalities. Colonei Diaz said 270 more revoln tionaries were captured during the week-end. Tliesc men had been forced to stay liehind because they ref'used t take a pledge to resist with force il the Cuban forees tried to stop th« invasion. Earlier today there was a heated clash in the Cuban Benate when tlie Oj^iosition leader, Senator Aurelio Alverez, charged that President Trau San klartin was using Governmem funds and public oHicers to foment a revolt against Trujillo. The Senatc went into secret session after hearing charges against the president. Colonei Diaz said the Army had obtained documeiitary proof implicating certain higli Government ofhcials in the plot to overthrow Trujillo, when a raid was made ou the Sevilla BiJtruore ITotel a week ago. Tlie Cuban Army, over the week-end, had captured 11 planes which were to be used in tlie invasion and 011 September 20 ha! seized large quantities of rifles. maehineguns, grenades and mortars during a raid on "The America" ranch owned by the Edueation Minis ter, Jose iManual Aleman, who xvas a confidant of President Grau. I'noffieial reports sav the revolutionaries hired former tighter pilots and rnechanies of the Ameriean "Flving Tigers ' ', to launch an air attack befoiv the shock forees of the invasion troops stormed ashore. A factor which delayed the expedition wliicli had been assembling for some time, was inability to secure surplus United States landing craft which were supposed to sail from Baltimoiv in August but were ref'used port clear ance by the United States Government. The United States Government is re ported to have tluown its full reson rce-i into an effort to block the expedition because of the inter-American coni'er ence which drew up the heinispheric defence pact at Petropolis, Brazil. Several luindred men of the invasion are still at largo but. the Cuban arnn hoped to round them up without blood slied. Colonei Diaz said later tha' ^ome of tlie expedition 's leaders planned to use part of the force in the revolution against tlie Cuban Govern inent. Tlie two invasion ships captured were 50 miles ofT North Cuba. T nited States Federal agents al Mianii, Florida, today arrested Manolo Castro, Cuban sports director, 011 charges of snuiggling arms by plami from United States to Cuba 011 August 1>.