Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 60, Decatur, Adams County, 12 March 1963 — Page 8

PAGE EIGHT

Former Cuba Prison Inmate Tells Story

By EDDY SUAREZ RIVAS Written for UPI MIAMI (UPI) — When 6,000 men go on a rampage, even in Fidel Castro’s most desperate prison, the results can be frightening to the boldest of Cuba’s Communist guards. We proved that on the Isle of Pines last year during a one-week revolt, ‘‘the big strike.” Besides defying Communist gunfire and deciding on a plan for a hunger strike, the prisoners in prison building No. I—where1 —where I was held—also agreed to try to block guards from entering to make a twice-daily “head count” of the inmates. This really was heaping insult on injury to the prison authorities. This check of prisoners usually took place at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day. On that first night of the strike, May 21, 1962, Bernardo Diaz, chief of interior order at the prison, appeared in our building. Chubby and middle-aged, Diaz is a die-hard Communist from the city of Cardenas in Matanzas Province, who boasts a 30-year membership in the party. Submit Demands When he demanded that the strike be ended, a sheet of paper containing seven demands was passed out to him. The Red official, jokingly referred to by prisoners as "Pompanio,’’ a comic book character, stomped off in a rage. Basically the men were asking for more food instead of the starvation diet of boiled spaghetti in the morning and a bowl of socalled soup in the afternoon. They also asked for mail privi. leges, for visits at least once every three months, for adequate medical attention, and enough water to wash themselves and to clean the prison. They also asked permission to receive medicines and vitamins from their relatives. Even though

REXALL Fast Home Permanents Ready-Mixed 1,00 Save SI.OO Giant 15-oz. Size Brite Set Hair Spray 98c SMITH Drug Co.

— . , ... ★ Row—l to Out-Pictur. Anything ... Btttor Plus PnllCO S thin Many Conaoto Picture! - ★ Big Fictur. PERSONAL PORTABLE ... E—y ramOUS to carry, (raighsappradmaMy 2511 m. Raliahilitv * nr " >nd Onl> TORT * BLE ™ ««»'• mou » H ■M p, (wtKi cool CHASSIS! I PHILCQ Jam ( DORMITORY ) HmOI v> ill ( CHILD S ROOM j W 4 WH l 6 bedroom j ( DEN ) I ||| ( RATIO , M ( OFFICE ) philco mop • Built to be man handled .. . Modern COPPER EH- Jf JR fl E GRAVED CIRCUITS • Vivid Vision Picture • Bonded ■ zffl- WS J. Safety Glass Filter • Telescoping Pivotenna • Carrying • ■ Handle a Front Sound. Front Controls • 16* overall dlag. ■ J | mess.; US sq. In. viewable are. — - ■ ■ Other 19" Portables available for as low as 149.95 ■ IASI A l l# PLUMBING HAIICIK NR CONDITIONING IIHUVII HEATING Mt H. 13th Street Phone 3-3314

packages containing these items often reached the prison, somel how they would disappear before i they could be handed over to the i inmates. Allowed To Decay The food packages that were allowed one a month usually were so delayed that the fruit and home-made preserves which they contained arrived in a state of decay. Nevertheless, everything was eaten unless it was really bad. Without these occasional “extras” most of the men would have died. The effects on the stomachs of the men of both the prison fare . and decayed food shipments was almost calamitous. Even without the abominable prison conditions, this alone would have been sufficient to set off galloping dysentery. " Last but not least on the list was a demand that the 20,000; pounds of dynamite used to mine. the prison buildings be removed.l The explosives had been strategically placed by Czechoslovakian and Cuban experts. Threatens Prisoners Diaz often had remarked to the prisoners: “The Americans may invade Cuba but you will never, live to see it.’’ On one occasion 1 he said: “The Marines may land; —but not fast enough to save I you. They are welcome to liber- • ate what’s left of you after the explosion.” I can also remember how he screamed at us during the strike. “You are doing this as part of an American plan to smear the great Cuban socialist revolution. • Don’t you know that whenever j Communists arrive in power they can never be overthrown? The people are with us, not with you!” We hooted and told him this i was his “last chance’’ to renounce i communism and, besides, we “knew” he really was just a “bourgoise type." Naturally, Diaz was infuriated. He waved his fat fist at us. Water Cut Off After Diaz’ unsuccessful attempt to quash the strike that first night, our building’s water supply was cut off. The director of the prison and his military in- 1 telligence staff decided that the i inmates in No. 1 building were i the “intellectual authors” of the strike. The prisoners in this section were mainly officers and noncoms from Batista’s army, as well as from Castro’s rebel army who refused to go along with the Communist line. The inmates also included well-known politicians, businessmen and land owners. Our building was scheduled to be blown up first in case of any “emergency,” the guards told us. But the dangers of the powder keg on which we lived were forgotten at the outset of the strike. The extreme water shortage loomed as our most immediate vital problem because there was only a pne-day supply on hand. Supply Rationed To counteract this threat the i prisoners quickly worked put a

Hos Shots Win BMedalsAt State Matches The Hot Shots, rifle club of the Decatur Catholic high school, won 13 bronze medals in the Indiana state rifle association junior championship matches held at Culver ( Military Academy March 1 and 2, | according to official results receivled here by club members and their instructors. Mayor Donald F. Gage and Mark Colchin. Team No. 1 of the Hot Shots, composed of Al Converset, Fred Schurger, Mike Reynolds and Mike Kuhnle, fired a 382 from prone position to win four bronze medals, and team fJo. 3, comoosed of Jim Miller, Jim Teeter, John Schirack and Gerald Selking, won four bronze medals with a 375 score, prone position. In individual awards, Jim Becker and Mike Reynolds each won bronze medals with 195 scores, prone position. Tom Foos won a bronze medal with a 98, sitting position; Mike Reynolds won a bronze medal with a 97, sitting position, and Mike Kuhnle won a bronze medal with an 82, standing position. The Decatur team competed in the scholastic, non-military division. ( Team Scores Scores of the five D. C. H. S. teams in the Culver meet are as follows: Team No. I—A. Converset, 337; F. Schurger, 331; M. Reynolds, 350; M. Kuhnle, 334. Total 1362. Team No. 2—D. Braun, 337; S. Colchin, 317; T. Foos, 354; J. Becker, 316. Total—l 324. Team No. 3—(Prone only)— J. Miller, 94; J. Teeter, 95; J. Schirack, 91; G. Selking, 93. Total 373. Team No. s—(Prone only)— D. Heimann, 90; S. Schultz. 91; J. Heimann, 98; P. Lengerich, 90. Total—369. Team No. s—(Phone only)—D. Price, 92; B. Tricker, 93; J. Spangler, 71; M. Geimer, 87. Defeat Concordia The Hot Shots defeated two teams from Fort Wayne Concordia high school in a match at the local range at Eddie’s Recreation Monday night. The senior team registered a 1687 to 1653 victory and, the junior team won by a score of 871 to 769. —Scores of the senior team match: Decatur —A. Converset, 99 prone, 85 sitting, 77 kneeling, 78 standing, total 339; M. Reynolds—9B prons, 80 sitting, 84 kneeling, 66 standing, total 328; M. Kuhnle —94 prone. 92 sitting, 78 kneeling, 82 standing,; total 334; F. - Schurger—96 prone, 92 sitting, 84 kneeling, 62 standing, total 334: J. Geimer—96 prone, 91! sitting, 85 kneeling, 80 standing, ——————— 1 ’ ~ i water rationing program under which every one would get two small cups daily until it ran out. Some of the men had meager supplies of brown sugar and powdered wheat. They mixed them with water once a day to provide some nourishment for the sick and those weakest from lack of food. But without water this supplemeiftary feeding would be difficult to carry on. The doctors in our building organized an impromptu “Redj Cross” unit on the top floor and ■ mapped a program of giving aid around the clock to those who might succumb to this new challenge to our debilitated endurance. All of the prisoners donated the few medicines and vitamins they had on hand to the medical pool. We all knew now that there was no turning back in our hunger strike plan. But few of us, if any, dared to think where it might lead and how long we could carry it through. The die was cast. I shall always remember May 21, 1962. Next: The Big Strike and victory.

NOW PAYING 00/ PER Starting with the very first month —B% interest checks YEAR are automatically mailed to you on a monthly basis MJ /W ■ with an investment of SI,OOO or more. Interest paid — J quarterly on less than SI,OOO investment. EXAMPLE —x LEARN OF THE y our | nve *tment Your Monthly Check WRITE FOR FREE "MONEY-BACK" $ 1,000.00 $ 6.67 BOOKLET - q 000 on on on POLICY AVAILABLE 5,000.00 33*33 "«AL ESTATE TO ALL INVESTORS 7,000.00 46.67 INVESTMENT TRUSTS" 10,000.00 66.67 Hundreds of Indiana residents, including many from Decatur and Adams county, have invested over $3,180,500 of the total 5 million dollar offering in the past 11(4 months and are now enjoying this high interest return. This clearly indicates that this investment opportunity will be sold out very shortly . You too, can increase the earnings on your savings. Don't delay. NOTE:----- MAIL THIS COUPON NOW! - - - . . . * . I The 2nd semi-annual BONUS 1 • DI rxiwirveam ... u . . . . TO: EQUITABLE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST ' DIVIDEND will be paid in 406 Southway B(vd . f East , KokomOf , nd . , April, 1963, to all Trustholders 1 Please give me booklet and further information: 1 of record on March 31, 1963. ’Name . , This bonus dividend is in addi- Address — ■ ■ Citv tion to the regular monthly 1 . Phone - — ■ dividend.

THE DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

VWI ■ 01, x i •wLv f i HE x > Wk’Wb w DECATUR HOT SHOTS— Pictured above are some of the members of the Hot Shots, rifle club of the Decatur Catholic high school, who copped 13 bronze medals in a shoot at Culver Military Academy March 2. This picture was taken Monday night prior to the team’s match with Fort Wayne Concordia' at the range at Eddie’s Recreation. The local team also won last night's match. Standing, left to right—Jim Heimann, Jim Spangler, Dan Heimann, Steve Colchin, Bill Tricker, Fred Schurger, Mike Kuhnle, Jim Becker Jim Teeter. Seated left to right—Mike Reynolds, Al Converset, Dave Braun, Jerry Selking.—(Photo by Mac Lean) ! ' Jf ■ MB JS .7 W M CHECKING MONDAY SCORES— Mayor*Dbnald FrGage,' Test, instructor oF the Hot Shots, is shown checking scores with an instructor for Fort Wayne Concordia high school s rifle club, during Monday’s match here, won by the Hot Shots.—(Photo by Mac Lean)

total 352. for a team total of 1687. Concordia: D. Feldes—loo prone, 88 sitting, 92 kneeling, 90 standing; total 380; B. Meyer—9s prone, 81 hitting, 85 kneeling. 79 standing, total 340; D. Tonkel—9o prone, 89 sitting, 84 kneeling, 76 standing, total 339; D. Schroeder—B7 prone, 81 sitting, 50 kneeling, 64 standing, total 283; D. Schwartz —95 prone, 89 sitting, 62 kneeling, 65 standing, total 311, for a teatm tital of 1653. Junior team match: Decatur; J. Becker—9s prone, 62 sitting, total 157; J. Heimann—--98 prone, 81 sitting, total 179; G. Selking—92 prone, 78 sitting, total 170; J. Teeter—96 prone. 91 sitting, total 187; J. Miller—94 prone, 84 sitting, total 178, for a team total of 871. Concrodia: B. Dillon—B9 prone, 87 sitting, total 176; J. Zublick—9l prone, 92 sitting, total 183: T. Waloa—B3 prone, 45 sitting, total 128; G. Ayres—77 prone, 50 -sitting, total 127; S. Bercot—B7 prone, 68 sitting, total 155, for a team total of 769. - — Range Improved Instructors and members of the Hot Shots team, aided by some volunteer work from the rifle club of the Decatur high school, have made major improvements in the range, located in the basement of i Eddie's Recreation. Working on Saturdays from , early 'in November until the mid- : die of February, the volunteers!'

added four more targets, and made many other improvements in the range, which now ranks favorably many other ranges for school rifle teams. WHAT LEGISLATURE (Continued from Page One) bondsmen. —Require the installation of safety belts on the front seats of all new cars sold in the state beginning in 1964. —Provide for mandatory tests of persons suspected of having tuberculosis. —Amend the . mechanic’s lien laws to provide more protection for property owners. Increase the interest rates which banks must pay on deposits of state funds. —Create an American Negro Centennial Commission to observe -the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. —Provide for more effective collection of delinquent property taxes. Aid For Reservoirs —Permit the State Flood Control and Water Resources Commission to acquire land for future development of reservoir sites. —Require at least two members of the State Public Service'Commission to be attorneys and to bar them from outside work.

—Request the Legislative Advisory Commission to study the feasibility of private Operation of state park hotels and inns. Plan Mental Health Workshop April 20 The planning committee for the 2nd annual mental health workshop met at the home of Mrs. Sherman Stucky Friday evening, March 8. The workshop for ministers and teachers of Adams county will be held at the Berne Mennonite church Saturday April 20. Dr. Robert Lehman, noted psychiatrist of Louisville, Ky., will be the lecturer. Complete details will be published later. Dr. Lehman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Lehman of Berne.

check |/mie I want to enjoy 3 cars in 1 with the world’s only slide-open-roof wagon-convertible.* 1 want to command America’s fastest production car (over 150 mph at Bonneville)—one of the world’s highest-performance, 4-passenger luxury cars. ** I want to live it up with the dough I save by picking America’s lowest-priced VB.*** I want to be a rich pedestrian.**** ‘ then J/check us Your Studebaker dealer, that is. *Wagonaire by Studebaker **Avanti by Studebaker (who needs to pay an extra SB,OOO-plus for a 2 + 2 Ferrari?) ***Lark Standard by Studebaker (Bawd on advertised delivered price.) ****What are you-some kind of a nut? See all the great ’63 Studebakers at WALTS STANDARD SERVICE 411 No. 13th St., Decatur, Ind.

Signs Posted By State Department A story in Saturday’s Daily Democrat erronesouly stated that the county highway department had posted signs on state road 101, near Pleasant Mills, which was flooded. The signs were put out, however, by the state highway department. Deßolt Candidate In Second District Chalmer Deßolt, 334 S. First St., is a Democratic candidate for otv councilman from the second district, not the third district as was erronously reported in the March 8 edition of the Daily Democrat. Legion Will Observe Birthday Saturday Adams Post 43, American Legion, will celebrate the 44th anniversary of the founding of the Legion with a dinner for members andtheir families and auxiliary members and their families, Saturday evening at the post home. First and Madison streets. A ham dinner will be served by the ladies auxiliary, from 5:30 until 7 p.m., followed by an evening of special entertainment. Cost of the dinner will be $1.25 per plate. Dr. R. K. Parrish, post commander, reports the local post has 750 members signed to date this year, which is 100 per cent of the assigned quota. WELSH WARNS (Continued from Page One) own party’s members “approved budgets that called for substantial increases in state appropriations.” “I can assure you the members of these two committees are not noted as either spendthrifts or careless men given to encouraging extra spending by a Democratic administration,” Welsh said. Concerned Over Delay Welsh expressed concern over the chance of further postponements in enactment of a budget. “Delay threatens the very foundations of our educational system,” he said. “I cannot stress too strongly the urgency for you to act as quickly as possible. “Just 50 days from now is the deadline for public school teacher contracts throughout the state. This affects every school corporation and every school district in Indiana. School authorities must know what state aid for local schools will be before Olis deadline. They should be able to know now.” Welsh said the lawmakers must

ON COIN-OP DRY CLEANING and LAUNDRY ONE LINT BRUSH FREE With Your Dry Cleaning — Limited Time — MAZELIN’S COIN-OP LAUNDRY 633 N. 13th St., Decatur, Ind.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1963

“exercise a willingness to compromise to arrive at the budget and revenue measures which most nearly meet the honest desires of this General Assembly.” Sun-to-City Duo Printed Pattern 9 ® VWB w- wwiL W>||l / A® w w /ft mV \® ©. © v \ vs fell A MM r i /L/ f •°\4l It \f\ I \ \x***SIZES 9015 io—2o Inf Sleevelessness is a happy state when the day is sunny—when it’s not, pop on the princess jacket. Choose butterfly-bright cotton or rayon. Printed Pattern 9015: Misses’ Sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. Size 16 dress 4% yards 35-inch; jacket I*4 yards. FIFTY CENTS in coins for this pattern—add 15 cents for each pattern for first-class mailing and special handling. Send to Marian Martin, Decatur Daily Democrat Pattern Dept., 232 West 18th St., New York 11, N. Y. Print plainly Name, Address with Zone, Size and Style Number. FREE OFFER! Coupon in Spring Pattern Catalog for one pattern free—anyone you choose from 300 design ideas. Send 50c now for Catalog.