◆ SpookStack

“ of all civilized countries. In some cases, it has been necessary to put property under the supervision of govern- ment representatives (a process known as intervention), pending a decision as to formal, legal expropriation. Owners whose property is to be expropriated (much as it would be acquired by condemnation in the United States, to meet any legitimate public need) have been promised compensation in 20-year government bonds, bearing in- terest at the rate of 429, This compares favorably with, for example, the U.S. land reform program imposed on Japan by General MAC ARTHUR after World War ITI, providing for compensation in 24-year bonds at 33%. The Cuban bonds have been printed and await only the proper sig- natures. ‘CHAOS: 'All that now remains is for CASTRO to give the word, and the Terror, the ruthless hunting down and shooting of FIDEL's opponents, will begin.'- Newsweek, False. Despite the above prediction, Nov. 3, 1959, and the incessant references to 'terror,' 'chaos,' and dictator- ship! in the U.S. press, the great work of revolutionary reform and reconstruction now in progress in Cuba is going forward in an atmosphere of extraordinary optimism and energy, as any tourist can testify. The island is being governed by e provisional government under the Constitution of 1940, which is notable in the Hemisphere for its liberality. Cubans--and visitors to the island--remain freer in many respects than do U.S. citizens. — For example, no police permit is required for a public meeting or demonstration, as in New York City. There 4s no censorship, not even a libel law. A foreign newsman needs no special visa, as he would in the . United States (a tourist card will do) and no restric- tions is placed on his movements, Even the air raids on Havana--the occasion of real terror, and in one instance of the death of two Cubans and the wounding of 45--have failed to force the government to take any but the most obviously urgent security measures. Despite an attempted invasion from Santo Domingo, a widespread counter-revolu- tionary conspiracy, and numerous small acts of sabotage -4.