The New York Times
April 27, 1958, P. 9

Basic Rights Ban Extended In Cuba
Constitutional Guarantees Suspended by Batista for 45 More Days

Special to The New York Times
HAVANA,  April 26 - The Government again suspended guarantees of basic constitutional rights today for a period of forty-five days.

Censorship of press and radio considered the tightest in the history of the republic, is automatically continued.

In addition, a decree recently signed by President Fulgencio Batista provides jail sentences and fines to be imposed on both the press and public for a long list of “false propaganda” offenses against the Government.

A state of “national emergency” already exists in the island. This was approved by Congress April 1 and will continue in effect until May 15. Under this condition the President has almost unlimited powers and is authorized to assume the legislative functions of congress.

The suspension of constitutional guarantees today was the second such action by the Government this year. During most of 1957 the guarantees were noneffective. The Cuban people have been able to exercise basic individual rights, including habeas corpus, free speech and assembly, for only forty five days this year. Even this applied only to five provinces, since Oriente Province, the center of revolutionary activity against the Government, has had the constitutional provisions suspended since the beginning of 1958.

A communique from the Presidential Palace this morning explained the suspension of rights by saying that “the reasons for this suspension continue to exist.”

Fighting between the rebels led by Fidel Castro and Government troops continued in Oriente Province. However, censorship has blacked out all news except the army communiques reporting the number of rebels killed.

Although it is apparent that Señor Castro and his insurgents are battling against overwhelming forces, there seems to be no doubt, from reports filtering through the censorship, that they continue to fight furiously.

Throughout the island jails and prisons are full, and the armed forces continue to arrest youths suspected of being connected with the 26th of July movement led by Señor Castro. The movement takes its name from the date of an anti-Batista uprising in 1953. Meanwhile, the savage undercover war between the young revolutionists and governmental authority produces a growing list of casualties.

The budget for the 1958-1959  fiscal year, which starts July 1 was set today by President Batista and his cabinet at the equivalent of $381, 819,987. This is about $39,000,000 higher than last year’s budget.

The Cabinet also dissolved all boards of education throughout the island today. Since a majority of the members of these boards were thought to be opposed to the Government and were not removable under ordinary law, the President and Cabinet took advantage of special emergency powers to discharge these persons.

At the same time, all private military academies were placed under control of the Defense Ministry.