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The news as it happened.

The Cuban Missile CrisisFriday, October 26, 1962Issue the Fifth

White House says Cuba missile work goes on at rapid pace

The White House says the Russians are pressing on with the Cuban missile sites and Washington weighs further action, as the Navy boards its first ship and Mr Khrushchev orders his ships to keep clear; in New Delhi the President proclaims a state of emergency.

An American aerial reconnaissance photograph of a medium-range ballistic missile field launch site at San Cristobal, Cuba.
An American aerial reconnaissance photograph of a medium-range ballistic missile field launch site at San Cristobal, Cuba.Photograph by US Department of Defense (National Archives, via Wikimedia Commons) · Public domain (US government work)

WASHINGTON, Friday.—The White House said today that the Russians are pressing on with their missile sites in Cuba at a rapid pace, and that there is no sign they mean to take them down.

“The development of ballistic missile sites in Cuba continues at a rapid pace,” the statement said. It ended: “In summary, there is no evidence to date indicating that there is any intention to dismantle or discontinue work on these missile sites.”

According to the statement, further surveillance showed the build-up still going on as of Thursday, apparently aimed at bringing the sites to full operational capability as soon as possible.

The development of ballistic missile sites in Cuba continues at a rapid paceWhite House statement

Bulldozers and cranes were seen as late as Thursday clearing new areas within the intermediate-range sites and improving the approach roads to the launch pads. Missiles parked in the open on Tuesday had been moved from their original positions at the medium-range sites by Thursday.

The Russians, the White House said, are making serious attempts to camouflage the work. The United States sent the text to U Thant, Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations, to be circulated as a Security Council document.

The statement came as the Administration appeared to be preparing the ground for possible bombing or invasion unless the missiles are dismantled soon, the Associated Press reported.

American Presidency Project, Oct. 26 · Hope Star, Arkansas (AP), Oct. 27

State Department says further action is under consideration

WASHINGTON, Friday.—The State Department said today that the quarantine of Cuba is only one part of the American plan, and that further action is under consideration.

Its spokesman, Mr Lincoln White, made a special statement after the search of the freighter Marucla, recalling the President’s warning on Monday that “further action will be justified if offensive military preparations continue in Cuba.” He would not say what that action might be.

Representative Hale Boggs said on Thursday, after conferences at the White House, that the United States would destroy the bases if they were not removed voluntarily.

further action will be justified if offensive military preparations continue in CubaJohn F. Kennedy

The quarantine cannot be lifted until the missiles and their bases have been removed, United Press International reports.

San Rafael Daily Independent-Journal, California (AP/UPI) · United Press International; all Oct. 26, 1962.

Navy boards freighter Marucla, finds no prohibited cargo

WASHINGTON, Friday.—A Navy boarding party went aboard the Russian-chartered Lebanese freighter Marucla on the high seas today, found no prohibited material and let her sail on to Havana, the Defense Department announced.

The party boarded her at 6:50 a.m. Eastern time, 180 miles north-east of Nassau in the Bahamas. The destroyers John R. Pierce and Joseph P. Kennedy had trailed her through the night.

Mr Arthur Sylvester, Assistant Secretary of Defense, read newsmen the Navy’s messages. “Cargo 12 trucks deck loaded,” one said. Another reported: “All holds loaded to capacity. No passengers.” At 10:20 a.m. the boarding party was returning to the Joseph P. Kennedy.

Cargo 12 trucks deck loadedNavy boarding party (message read by Arthur Sylvester)

Besides the trucks, the Marucla carried sulphur, paper rolls and truck parts. Lloyd’s lists her as a Second World War Liberty ship.

Mr Sylvester said there have been only two interceptions so far: the Soviet tanker Bucharest on Thursday and the Marucla today.

Among the Soviet ships that have turned back, Washington sources say, is a huge vessel designed to transport missiles.

Gettysburg Times, Pennsylvania (AP), Oct. 26 · Hope Star, Arkansas (AP), Oct. 26 · Kingston Daily Freeman, New York (AP), Oct. 27

India proclaims state of emergency as Chinese drive on

NEW DELHI, Friday.—President Radhakrishnan today proclaimed a state of emergency, putting India on a war footing and giving Mr Nehru’s Government supreme powers as the Chinese push deeper into the north-east.

Under the proclamation the central Government can take over any power held by one of the 15 states. Freedom of speech may be curtailed, and the powers of the courts over ordinary fundamental rights limited.

Mr Nehru has so far held off from formally declaring India at war with China.

The ordinance takes in provisions of the Defence of India Act, which was in force during the Second World War, the Indian Express reports. National Volunteer Rifles are being formed and the Home Guard is to be strengthened.

Parliament is to meet ahead of schedule, and the Congress working committee has called for unity.

On the fighting front, the Defence Ministry said a Chinese attack in Ladakh had been hurled back.

Hope Star, Arkansas (AP), Oct. 26 · Appleton Post-Crescent, Wisconsin (AP), Oct. 26 · The Indian Express, Chittoor/Madras edition, Oct. 27

Khrushchev orders ships to keep clear; Kennedy pledges to avoid clash

UNITED NATIONS, New York, Friday.—Mr Khrushchev has told U Thant that Soviet ships bound for Cuba will stay out of the interception area for a time, and President Kennedy has said American warships will do their best to avoid a confrontation, the United Nations announced tonight.

In a message sent on Thursday night, the Acting Secretary-General asked the Soviet Premier to instruct the ships already on their way to Cuba “to stay away from the interception area for a limited time only.”

“We accept your proposal, and have ordered the masters of Soviet vessels bound for Cuba but not yet within the area of the American warships’ piratical activities to stay out of the interception area, as you recommend,” Mr Khrushchev replied. He insisted the arrangement must be temporary.

to stay away from the interception area for a limited time onlyU Thant

U Thant asked Mr Kennedy to do all possible to avoid a direct confrontation with Soviet ships in the next few days. The President agreed, provided the Soviet ships keep away: “you may be assured that this government will accept and abide by your request.” But he warned U Thant “that present work on these systems is still continuing” in Cuba.

U Thant today opened talks with the Soviet Union, the United States and Cuba in the hope of setting up negotiations.

Diplomats welcomed the brief respite, but there was scant optimism.

Kingston Daily Freeman, New York (AP), Oct. 27 · Gettysburg Times, Pennsylvania (AP), Oct. 27 · Hope Star, Arkansas (AP), Oct. 27 · Gettysburg Times, Pennsylvania (AP), Oct. 26

In Brief

Kennedy puts off visit to Brazil

WASHINGTON, Friday.—The White House today released the President’s message to President Goulart of Brazil, dated Wednesday, asking to postpone once again the Kennedys’ visit. Mr Kennedy wrote that “the recent challenge to the peace and security of this hemisphere posed by the Soviet offensive military buildup in Cuba” requires his presence in the United States. He proposed they consult after the New Year on a new date. Dr Goulart’s reply was released with it.

American Presidency Project, Oct. 26, 1962.

Mongolia demands end to “piratical actions” of U.S. Navy

UNITED NATIONS, New York, Friday.—Mongolia’s Government has demanded “that an end be put immediately to the piratical actions of the United States Navy” and has endorsed the Soviet statement of 23 October. Its statement, circulated at the request of Mr B. Jargalsaikhan, its representative, says the Mongolian people learned of the order to intercept ships bound for Cuba with profound indignation.

United Nations Security Council, Oct. 26, 1962.

Western diplomats barred from travel outside Moscow

MOSCOW, Friday.—Western diplomats say the Soviet Union has forbidden them to travel outside Moscow, Diário de Lisboa reports. The ban took effect on Tuesday, after President Kennedy announced the quarantine. Diplomats who were elsewhere in the Soviet Union were sent word by the Foreign Ministry.

Diário de Lisboa, Oct. 26, 1962.

India in touch with U.S. on arms aid; Afro-Asians seek talks

NEW DELHI, Friday.—India is in touch with the United States about arms aid, the Indian Express reports from Washington through its correspondent, Mr T. V. Parasuram. The paper’s Mr Harish Chandola reports that Afro-Asian countries are making a bid to bring India and China to negotiations.

The Indian Express, Chittoor/Madras edition, Oct. 27, 1962.

Elsewhere Today

  • LOURENÇO MARQUES, Mozambique: Cyclonic winds and heavy rain on Wednesday cut the northern city of Nampula off from the outside world and left it without electricity, in darkness. The roofs of many buildings, military installations among them, were blown off, and a military plane trying to land at Nampula aerodrome damaged its undercarriage, France-Presse reports.

    Diário de Lisboa, Oct. 26, 1962.

  • LONDON: Unemployment in Britain is spreading rapidly and has reached 501,300, the highest figure since the economic crisis of 1958-59, Diário de Lisboa reports.

    Diário de Lisboa, Oct. 26, 1962.

Start The Cuban Missile Crisis from issue one tomorrow

Wayback Wire · No. 5 · Friday, October 26, 1962