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But Batista's air raids are punishing. The raids continued last week despite a Batista pledge to suspend operations until the hostages got out. U.S. Vice Consul Robert Wiecha, parleying with the rebels, was just missed in one strafing run.
The rebels seemed in no hurry to give up all their prisoners. The Castros would like to force some public U.S. promise that Batista will not be helped again. Conciliatory moves by the U.S. are not likely. The State Department is confident that the rebels will return the men unharmed, lest the propaganda move backfire into a wave of anger in the U.S.