Cuban Rebels Disband Congress, Install 18-Month Rule by Decree; Mikoyan Reiterates Berlin Policy

HAVANA, Cuba--The revolutionary government dissolved Congress Tuesday and announced it will rule Cuba by decree for at least 18 months when new elections are planned.

The government suspended all criminal courts, regarded as a symbol of the fallen dictatorship of President Fulgencio Batista, and was reported preparing a decree abolishing all political parties.

The provisional regime dismissed all provincial governors, mayors and councilmen. Apparently their functions will be taken over by new civilian appointees prepared in advance for the task.

Other decrees, informed sources said, would ban all candidates in the 1954 and 1958 elections from Cuba's political life, freeze the private bank accounts of all Batista officials, and stop the cashing of all outstanding checks against the Batista regime.

Revolutionary courts were reported being prepared to try Batista, now in exile in the Dominican Republic, and other officials who may be accused of crimes during his rule.

Russia to Stand Firm on Berlin

WASHINGTON--Soviet Deputy Premier Anastas I. Mikoyan indicated Tuesday night the Soviet Union is standing firm on its demand for an end to four-power rule of Berlin.

He told this to newsmen after a more than two-hour review of foreign policy problems with Vice President Richard Nixon.

The 63-year-old Kremlin trouble-shooter said Berlin was among the topics discussed during what he called a comprehensive exchange of views with Nixon.

Halleck to Replace Martin

WASHINGTON--In a close battle that turned on the issue of age and aggressiveness, House Republicans voted Tuesday to toss out the veteran Joseph W. Martin as their leader and replace him with Charles A. Halleck of Indiana.

The vote, taken in a secret session on the eve of the new session of Congress, was 74 for Halleck and 70 for the Massachusetts congressman who has been the House GOP leader for 20 years.

There was little or no question of conservative vs. liberal attitudes, as Martin and Halleck are both basically conservative.