The New York Times
April 11, 1958, 1

Havana Quieter; Regime and Union Say Strike Failed
Violence Persists in Interior--Heavy Street Fighting Reported in Santiago
Power Off in Capital
But Business and Transport Run--U. S.-Owned Plant Damaged by Saboteurs

Special to The New York Times.

HAVANA, April 10--This city was quieter today after yesterday's attempt by rebels to provoke a general strike thoughout Cuba.

Commercial and industrial establishments opened and transportation services opened normally.  Traffic was snarled as usual at all key points.  Many shoppers appeared on the streets.

The call for revolutionary walkout yesterday was part of the plan of Fidel Castro, rebel leader, to overthrow the Government of President Fulgencio Batista, on whom he had declared a "total war" to take effect April 1.

In Santiago, where there was considerable violence, the city remained paralyzed by a strike.  However, the outcome was in doubt.

Drastic Armed Action

The strike move failed in Havana because of drastic action by the armed forces, which killed about forty persons in numerous incidents in the city and its suburbs.

All Havana continues without electric power, which was cut off by sabotage yesterday.  Gas service has been restored, but candles and kerosene lamps are being used by thousands.  Most houses and buildings are without elevator service or water.

The bullet-riddled bodies of three youths were found today at San Francisco de Paula, just outside Havana, where Ernest Hemingway has his home.

Although the Government said the strike had failed throughout the island, reports indicated that violence was continuing in the interior.  As a result of the strict censorship, it was not yet possible to learn what had happened there.

'All Workers at Jobs'

The Confederation of Cuban Workers, the central organization controlling all labor unions, issued a statement saying, "There is no general strike and all workers are at their jobs as usual."

According to a communiqué, rebels cut the electricity to the United States-owned Morro cement plant in Mariel, twenty-five miles from Havana.  Four oil pumps were damaged by Castro followers, causing operations to be suspended for some time.  The saboteurs escaped.

At the towns of Guines, Cotorro and Madruga, on the central highway near Havana, clashes occurred between rebels and troops.  The number of casualties was not announced.

The son of Col. Jose Pedraza, retired, was killed by rebels who fired at his automobile on the highway near Santa Clara.  Colonel Pedraza was chief ofd the Cuban Army in 1935 and broke a revolutionary strike at that time.

The Government report said that in Santa Clara, capital of Las Villas Province, clashes occurred yesterday between Castro followers and troops, causing unspecified casualties on both sides.

At Sagua la Grande, in Las Villas Province, members of the 26th of July Movement, which is headed by Senor Castro occupied a Roman Catholic school.  They permitted the children and teachers to leave the building but held a priest as hostage.  The Government statement said the soldiers were holding their fire to obtain the priest's release.

Tonight the Government ordered all amateur radio stations off the air during the "state of national emergency."  Various pirate stations come on the amateur band at intervals with propaganda against the Government.

The crew of a Cuban Airline plane was reported to have landed in Mexico yesterday afternoon and asked for asylum.